2016 BMW I3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other I3 years
- Fewer complaints than other years 4th of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW I3. That ranks 4th out of 9 I3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (10 complaints, 30%), typically at around 13,872 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 33owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 BMW I3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 10 | 30% | 13,872 | — | — |
| Steering | 8 | 24% | 30,700 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 6 | 18% | 48,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 15% | 29,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 9% | 13,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 6% | 34,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 6% | 35 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 6% | 275 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 3% | 20,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 BMW I3 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: 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
Problem: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0â1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may…
Faulty airbag warning
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…
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!
Other BMW I3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 I3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 I3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 I3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 I3 | 13 | 1 |
| 2018 I3 | 14 | 3 |
| 2017 I3 | 53 | 3 |
| 2016 | 33 | 2 |
| 2015 I3 | 47 | 3 |
| 2014 I3 | 54 | 4 |
See all BMW I3 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW I3?
Owners most often report structure, steering, air bags problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 10 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 BMW I3?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 BMW I3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other I3 model years, the 2016 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.