2016 Bmw I3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (9) · Steering (8) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw I3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Service bulletins (256)
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.
Engine 2026-05-06 · B010525 · Warranty Program/Extension
the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2024-04-11 · B010524 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for this vehicle, the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. this coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 256 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-12 · Air Bags“driver airbag warning light illuminated. vehicle was diagnosed at bmw of sherman oaks (ro# 176741) and confirmed as a faulty driver airbag module - part# 32-30-6-870-366. bmw technician found fault code 930904: driver's airbag interval stage 1, resistance too high stored. bmw na declined goodwill repair assistance despite the failure occurring with…”
2026-01-15 · Power Train“while driving my 2016 bmw i3 with range extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). the car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. after sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in som…”
2025-04-22 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 40,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 bmw i3. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filler had failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made awa…”
2025-03-03 · Structure:body“the roof has bubbled and peeled away leaving an exposed permeable roof, meaning if it rains, water will get into the car because of the roof material being not safe, not strong, peeling away. just terrible! looking online, so many people with i3s ha e all had the same issue!…”
2025-02-03 · Structure:body“translucent protection coat on roof delaminated; pieces blown into air. bare roof and some coat pieces available for inspection upon request (no inspection yet). other bmw i3 owners have reported same issue. no prior indication of problem on vehicle itself. …”
2024-08-16 · Structure:body“roof panel is deteriorating and loosing integrity. outer laminate coat broke down in general sun conditions, and now underlying roof structure is breaking down as well. the dealer has not inspected the roof yet, but this is an issue widely discussed on community forums, and it’s breaking down on my vehicle now.…”
2023-10-06 · Structure:body“the roof is bubbling and peeling up. water gets in it when it rains, then it bubbles greatly. bmw won’t fix it, repair shops don’t want to fix it because it’s an obscure roof. they recommend i take it to bmw which won’t fix it (roof replacement suggested). i just bought this car and drive it as normal, and the special carbon fiber roof is degradi…”
2023-08-19 · Structure:body“the roof on outside is starting to flake off in chunks and expose bottom layers.…”
2023-08-19 · Unknown Or Other“the carbon fiber roof of my 2016 bmw i3 rex is really starting to bubble and wrinkle. after taking it to two shops any mitigation would cost hundreds of dollars to address. the roof is starting to peel and am worried about water getting to the car. bmw should have engineered these roofs differently. they should be responsible to cost associated wit…”
2023-08-17 · Structure:body · 19,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 bmw i3. the contact stated while driving 75 mph, the contact heard a whistling sound, and the roof detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. the failure mileage was 19,000.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.