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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2014–2019

BMW i3 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 213 owner complaints for the BMW i3, covering model years 2014 to 2019. The 2014 model year drew the most complaints (54), and Steering is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW i3 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 8 recall campaigns on file
  • 213 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (2014–2019)
  • most complaints: 2014 (54 for that model year)
  • top component: Steering (48 complaints)
  • latest recall 19V599000 (reported Aug 14, 2019)
  • 10 complaints reporting a crash (4.7%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a fire (0.9%)
  • 6 complaints reporting an injury (2.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW i3 complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2014 model year has the most complaints: 54 of 213, or 25.4%. Next come 2017 (52) and 2015 (47). The fewest are for 2019, with 13 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
BMW i3 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2014–2019Column chart of 213 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 2014 with 54. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2014: 54 complaints5420142015: 47 complaints4720152016: 33 complaints3320162017: 52 complaints5220172018: 14 complaints1420182019: 13 complaints132019
BMW i3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW i3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2014543020
2015471100
2016333010
2017522130
2018140000
2019131000
All model years21310260

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW i3 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Steering is the component named most often, in 48 complaints (22.5% of all 213), followed by Structure (40) and Electrical System (31).

Components named most often in BMW i3 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in BMW i3 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Steering4822.5%
Structure4018.8%
Electrical System3114.6%
Power Train3114.6%
Air Bags2511.7%
Vehicle Speed Control209.4%
Unknown or Other198.9%
Engine178.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System167.5%
Seat Belts62.8%
Service Brakes62.8%
Suspension52.3%
Wheels52.3%
Tires41.9%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)31.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW i3 recalls

8 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name i3, newest first. The 8 campaigns cover model years 2014 to 2019. The 2014 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 8 recall campaigns
BMW i3 recall campaigns covering each model year
2014: 4 campaigns2015: 3 campaigns2016: 2 campaigns2017: 3 campaigns2018: 3 campaigns2019: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 19V599000

    Reported

    Hybrid Propulsion System; Electrical System

    Model year 2019

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.

    Consequence:
    A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 19V310000

    Reported

    Hybrid Propulsion System; Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery

    Model year 2018

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.

    Consequence:
    A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V652000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical

    Model year 2018

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.

    Consequence:
    An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 17V720000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model years 2014–2018

    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."

    Consequence:
    During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 17V088000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model years 2014–2017

    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.

    Consequence:
    A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 16V914000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2017

    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- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.

    Consequence:
    If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 15V628000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2014–2015

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 14V422000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2014

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW i3 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW i3 have?

NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW i3, covering model years 2014 to 2019. The most recent, 19V599000, was reported on August 14, 2019 and is filed under “Hybrid propulsion system; electrical system”. The 2014 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which BMW i3 model year has the most complaints?

The 2014 model year, with 54 of the 213 complaints in NHTSA’s file (25.4%). The next are 2017 (52) and 2015 (47). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW i3 complaint?

Steering is the component named most often: 48 complaints, or 22.5% of all 213. Structure (40) and Electrical System (31) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW i3?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW i3 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 213 complaints, 10 report a crash, 2 a fire, 6 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other BMW models

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.