2015 Bmw I3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (15) · Structure:body (7) · Vehicle Speed Control (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
29 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
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.
Service bulletins (294)
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 294 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-10 · Suspension“in the middle of driving, the coil spring on rear passenger side snapped. what happened to me today was exactly what the search result showed from the internet. and yet, when i put in my vin # to your and bmw website, i got 0 recall for this vin. mine is 2015, what am i missing? googel: early bmw i3 models, particularly from the 2014-2016 product…”
2025-10-22 · Structure:body“when driving down the interstate the carbon fiber roof suddenly delaminated of its top layer causing the cars behind me to have to slam on the brakes as chunks of carbon fiber flew off the car. this is a known issue with the bmw carbon fiber roofs that is worse on the i3 because of instead of a weave it is forged carbon.…”
2025-07-15 · Structure:body“carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal. …”
2024-02-26 · Air Bags“airbag failed. alert light went on. had to be replaced.…”
2023-10-19 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:compressor:module (Accm) · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 bmw i3. the contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. the contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the a/c or the heater. the contact stated that the failur…”
2023-08-19 · Structure:body“the carbon fiber roof of my 2015 is de-laminating and the resin coating is bubbling. bmw knows its an issue for all i3's without a sun roof and with carbon fiber roofs and won't fix it. …”
2023-08-19 · Structure:body“the carbon fiber roof is delaminating. the outer layer is pulling away from the base layer. i understand that this is a structural panel. no lights messages or warnings. the problem is very common with this vehicle. it has not been inspected. …”
2023-08-19 · Structure:body“roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view…”
2023-08-18 · Structure:body“the roof has delaminated and is causing leaks within the main cabin yes available for inspection upon request. the structural integrity of the roof is no longer intact and only getting worse. yes. the problem has been presented to bmw to no avail. bmw does not provide any means to repair nor will acknowledge the issue. original the roof material…”
2023-08-18 · Unknown Or Other“the composite roof is blistering and beginning to delaminate.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.