BMW I3 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 214 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file for the BMW I3, across 9 model years (2014–2022). The 2014 model year has the most complaints (54). The most reported problem area overall is steering.
BMW I3 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No I3 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW I3 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 48 | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 40 | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 32 | 6 | 2 |
| Power Train | 31 | 6 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 25 | 5 | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 6 | 2 |
| Engine | 17 | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 6 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Suspension | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW I3 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 I3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2021 I3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2020 I3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2019 I3 | 13 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 I3 | 14 | 3 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 I3 | 53 | 3 | — | Structure | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 I3 | 33 | 2 | — | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2015 I3 | 47 | 3 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2014 I3 | 54 | 4 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW I3 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2014 (54), 2017 (53), 2015 (47). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW I3?
Steering, with 48 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW I3 have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.