2017 Bmw I3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (11) · Structure:body (9) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars (3)
🧭 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
21 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 2016-12-20 · campaign 16V914000 · 3,506 vehicles
Defect: 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-
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.
Service bulletins (201)
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
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 201 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-09 · Unknown 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 desi…”
2026-09-17 · Structure: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 sa…”
2026-07-29 · Structure:body“the carbon fiber roof panel is starting to delaminate and i am concerned that pieces could fly off and cause an accident.…”
2026-06-27 · Structure: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 co…”
2026-05-31 · Structure: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…”
2026-04-07 · Other/I Am Not Sure“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 instructions—including cleaning the adjuster area …”
2026-03-26 · Unknown 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, du…”
2026-01-27 · Structure:body“the roof is delaminating causing a danger to my vehicle and others…”
2025-12-17 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“summary on september 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 bmw i3 rex was involved in a severe frontal collision with a gas company utility vehicle. the impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. the passenger reports seatbelt failure with excessive slack, leading to parti…”
2025-10-11 · Structure:body“the carbon fiber roof is bubbling and disintegrating. i have one section behind the passenger door that is the size of my full hand that is in a circle shape where the roof is scaling and peeling. each day that passes, the known spot is getting bigger and bigger. it's embarrassing to see this happening to my car and makes my care look worthless. de…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.