2014 Bmw I3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (8) · Steering (7) · Structure:body (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw I3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal 2017-11-16 · campaign 17V720000 · 32,000 vehicles
Defect: 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 2017-02-09 · campaign 17V088000 · 19,130 vehicles
Defect: 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:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-10-07 · campaign 15V628000 · 6,073 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
Fix: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal 2014-07-14 · campaign 14V422000 · 27 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an air bag inflator that was not assembled correctly. This could cause the air bag to not deploy properly in the event of an accident.
Risk: If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (313)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-12-04 · B011124 · Warranty Program/Extension
the high-voltage (hv) battery assembly cell modules temperature sensors (internal ntc repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first delivery date.
Electrical System 2024-12-04 · 011024 · Warranty Program/Extension
the high-voltage (hv) battery assembly cell modules temperature sensors (internal ntc repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first delivery date.
Air Bags 2024-01-25 · B010818 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the supplemental restraint systemã¢ââs (srs) air bag warning lamp is illuminated, and the air bag control unitã¢ââs (acsm4i) fault memory has stored one or both of the following fault codes: 930904 airbag driver 1st stage: "resistance too largeã¢ââ 93090a airbag driver 2nd stage: ã¢ââresi
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Electrical System 2022-05-01 · SIB651312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the headunit high (hu-h), also called nbt, began replacing the car information computer (cic) on certain my2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). this uses map north america next. the headunit high 2 (hu-h2), also called nbt-evo, superseded the nbt hu and was introduced in 3/2014.
Fuel System, Other:fuel Injection System 2021-11-01 · B012021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for the eligible vehicles, bmw of north america, llc (bmw na) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's fuel injectors to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
Showing the 6 most recent of 313 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-02 · Structure:body“the roof of the bmw started delaminating a few years back, and it is compromising the structural integrity of this vehicle. in an attempt to fix the roof, epoxy was applied after it was smoothed down and the roof looked aesthetically pleasing for about a year, until it started delaminating rapidly in the same spots. now, the roof liner is starting…”
2026-05-11 · Vehicle Speed Control“sudden unintended deceleration on highway complete loss of propulsion thermal warning / overheating date: may 11, 2026 mileage: approximately 18,966+ vehicle: 2014 bmw i3 rex, vin [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-03-31 · Suspension · 154,140 mi“the contact owns a 2014 bmw i3. the contact stated that while driving at 49 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal screeching sound and was leaning on the driver's side rear-end. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a rear-end inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. the vehicle was not diagnos…”
2026-03-02 · Power Train“bmw service bulletin si b22 04 15 to replace motor mount bolts and other components due to failure in 2016 was done on my vehicle in 2016. bmw has replaced all motor mounts in 2014 and 2015 i3's in europe. the motor mounts were redesigned for 2016 and newer models. from online forums i see that many of the 2014 and 2015 north american i3 motor moun…”
2025-08-15 · Power Train“back in march 2025 my 2014 bmw i3 rex gave out a "drivetrain malfunction" error. the car's propulsion died while driving. i was driving in the street on the way home from picking up my chidren from school when the power completely shut off while driving. i had a full battery charge and also had about 44 miles worth of gas to use. i pull over to th…”
2024-10-07 · Structure:body“the carbon fiber roof is delaminating and a portion of it came off and hit the front windshield of another car, causing them to partially lose control of their vehicle almost causing an accident. this is a known issue bmw has not taken an action to resolve it. i’m afraid that a larger chunk may hit somebody’s car and cause a severe accident.…”
2024-09-10 · Structure:body“a large portion of the car's hood (carbon laminate?) has ripped off and is surely to continue to tear and fly off while driving.…”
2024-06-14 · Power Train“when the vehicle depletes it's battery and switches over to the range extender or the gas engine, the car will suddenly shut off and a drivetrain error appears. this seems to only happen when the car is traveling over 55 mph. this has happened on repeated occasions. if you then leave the car sit for several minutes and then turn it back on, it is …”
2024-03-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ac compressor for the car battery system failed. there was a check engine light that was on steady, but not flashing. the electric range in the car reduced by 20 to 30% as a result of this fault. it was brought into the bmw dealership for inspection and they determined that was a short in the ac compressor and that the whole ac compressor system …”
2023-12-28 · Air Bags“i am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue i have been facing with my 2014 bmw i3, vin: [xxx] . unfortunately, i have been experiencing an airbag and/or seatbelt alert problem identified as "driver restraint system malfunction" with the error code 930904 displayed on the dashboard. i have attached supporting documentation, including…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.