The 2017 BMW i3 has 3 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (13 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints53filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 17V720000 · Nov 16, 2017 · 32,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 17V088000 · Feb 9, 2017 · 19,130 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak.
Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags
NHTSA recall 16V914000 · Dec 20, 2016 · 3,506 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2017 BMW I3 5 HB RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2017 BMW I3 PHEV 5 HB RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Range & efficiency
i3 BEV (60 Amp-hour battery) EV
81mi range
Efficiency
27 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb
137 / 111 / 124
Charge time (240 V)
4 h
Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $600/year to charge
i3 BEV (94 Amp-hour battery) EV
114mi range
Efficiency
29 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb
129 / 106 / 118
Charge time (240 V)
5 h
Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $650/year to charge
i3 REX (94 Amp-hour battery) Plug-in Hybrid
35mpg combined
City / highway
36 / 33 mpg
Electric range
97 mi
On electricity
111 MPGe · 30 kWh/100 mi
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
0.6 L · 2 cyl · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Body; Body › Roof and pillars
13
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
12
0
1
0
—
Steering
11
0
0
1
12,208 mi
Electrical system
8
0
0
0
29,712 mi
Power train
6
1
0
1
18,340 mi
Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
4
1
0
2
—
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
29,712 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
2
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
1
0
1
—
Tires Markings; Tread/belt
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 9, 2026Unknown or other The rear backup camera view in the screen is completely overridden in reverse, by a tire pressure warning when a tire is low or there is another TPMS fault. It requires using the rotary dial to clear the message before the function of the backup camera is restored. Also, if the rear hatch is unlatched by mistake (easy to do with the i3 key fob design) the rear camera, which is located in the rear bumper, is completely disabled.
Jan 16, 2026Structure › Body My 2017 i3 has a deteriorating roof. The roof, which is made of carbon fiber, is peeling and pieces are breaking off. This has also led to the interior upholstery of my roof to peel and sag. I am worried moisture will be let into my car, creating a mold issue. I contacted BMW and my extended warranty and they did not want to cover anything. They said this was normal wear and tear and they would not help me. From my understanding this is a much larger issue with all i3 models. I am also having a very hard time finding a body shop that will fix this for me. I have contacted several and they either don't know how to do it, or refuse to do it in fear that they might do it wrong. I am now…
Jul 29, 2026Structure › Body The carbon fiber roof panel is starting to delaminate and I am concerned that pieces could fly off and cause an accident.
May 30, 2026Structure › Body › Roof and pillars On May 30, 2026, I was driving on the NJ Turnpike with high winds and I heard loud sounds like hard rain on the roof of my BMW i3. I saw sheets flying off the roof. When I parked the car, the clear coat covering the roof had delaminated, exposing the carbon fiber. The BMW collision shop told me that the roof panel has to be replaced and it is costly.
May 30, 2026Structure › Body I bought the car new in 2017. Last summer, I noticed bubbles on the roof. On May 30, 2026, as I was driving 65 mph on the NJ Turnpike, I heard sounds on the roof like hard rain but it was not raining. I saw large sheets flying off my roof towards other cars, and some flying sheets were large enough to obscure a windshield. When I stopped, I saw more sheets hanging loose from the roof and I peeled off what I could. I think this is dangerous and understand it is common on BMW i3s (which are made of carbon fiber) and other BMW cars.
Aug 1, 2025Chest clip, buckle, harness We have experienced a mechanical issue with the harness system. Specifically, the straps become extremely difficult to tighten or loosen over time. To adjust them, I have to pull with the full force of a 200lb adult, to the point where it literally shakes the car. Despite following all manufacturer instructionsâincluding cleaning the adjuster area and checking for twisted strapsâthe problem persists. Evenflo recently closed our support case (#00609796) and sent a replacement seat, which suggests an acknowledgement of the problem. Before I return the impacted seat (as Evenflo Requested), I wanted to reach out here promptly. I am particularly concerned because this appears to be a…
Mar 23, 2026Unknown or other After purchasing this car used, I signed up for MyBMW remote services. My account portal stated Emergency SOS call button and crash detection services were active on my car. I decided to test, and it turns out it's not, due to the issue in SIB 84 09 22. The car will just receive a call failed message, since it's trying to do voice calls in 3G, due to the improperly programmed 4G telematics unit. So BMW knows with 100% certainty this feature will not work on the car, and the car gives no advance warning in is inoperable. Yet they are still informing me in the portal that it is active. I feel if the system is inoperable without any warning, a service bulletin without a recall is not enough.…
Dec 18, 2025Structure › Body The roof is delaminating causing a danger to my vehicle and others
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000Pedestrian alert sounds NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review…