Model year record

2020 BMW i8 recalls & problems

The 2020 BMW i8 has 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaint).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints1filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemSep 30, 2020

Propulsion system › Traction battery

Recall 20V6010004,509 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Fix: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. 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

2020 BMW i8 2 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 BMW i8 Roadster C AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

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.

Fuel economy

I8 Coupe Plug-in Hybrid

27mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 29 mpg
Electric range	18 mi
On electricity	69 MPGe · 49 kWh/100 mi
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.5 L · 3 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

I8 Roadster Plug-in Hybrid

27mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 29 mpg
Electric range	18 mi
On electricity	69 MPGe · 49 kWh/100 mi
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.5 L · 3 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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*
Electrical system	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

Electrical system
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW i8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V601000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CELLS THAT WERE FAULTY. THE BATTERY CELLS WERE REBUILT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WOULD BE GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION.…
Dec 22, 2020 · 952 miles

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

Pedestrian alert soundsClosedLed to recall 22V063000
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…
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023