NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 BMW I3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 BMW I3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 33 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 BMW I3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 BMW I3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW I3, describing incidents dated April 30, 2016 to May 20, 2026.

Most-cited components

Structure 10 complaints
Steering 8 complaints
Air Bags 6 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints

Of the 33 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 33 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11743788 · Filed June 12, 2026
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…
ODI #11711282 · Filed January 15, 2026
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…
ODI #11677072 · Filed July 29, 2025
Faulty airbag warning

Read all 33 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 BMW I3 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Excessive Neck Tension-Extension Force/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #17V720000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported November 16, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 32,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified January 12, 2018 · Vehicles built September 1, 2013 – November 14, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Vent Line may Chafe and Leak Fuel Vapor

NHTSA #17V088000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported February 9, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 19,130 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.02% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 25, 2017 · Vehicles built March 5, 2014 – December 30, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2016 BMW I3 5 HB RWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

33 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW I3.

Air Bags

ODI #11743788

Incident: May 20, 2026 · Filed: June 12, 2026

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 within 20 days of warranty expiration. This is a safety-critical federally mandated system. Multiple BMW i3 owners in online communities report the same issue and reference TSB SI B65 18 16 as a known defect related to a cable being too short. I believe this may be a widespread defect affecting 2014-2018 BMW i3 vehicles that warrants investigation.

Power Train; Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11711282

Incident: November 16, 2025 · Filed: January 15, 2026

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 some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage at all. This has occurred repeatedly and creates a serious risk of being stranded or hit while merging or driving on public roads. BMW has inspected the vehicle twice (07 Nov 2025 and 13 Jan 2026) and confirmed the loss of propulsion and need to pull over but classified the behavior as “normal” without performing high-voltage battery diagnostics. The failure appears consistent with high-voltage battery voltage collapse under load, causing the battery management system to shut down the drivetrain. This is not normal power limiting — it is a sudden drivetrain shutdown that occurs without warning and poses a significant safety hazard.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11677072

Incident: June 6, 2025 · Filed: July 29, 2025

Faulty airbag warning

Fuel System, Gasoline; Air Bags; Engine

ODI #11656031

Incident: April 22, 2025 · Filed: April 22, 2025

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 aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Structure

ODI #11646070

Incident: March 12, 2024 · Filed: March 3, 2025

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!

Structure

ODI #11640459

Incident: February 3, 2025 · Filed: February 3, 2025

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.

Structure

ODI #11609080

Incident: August 16, 2024 · Filed: August 16, 2024

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.

Structure

ODI #11548761

Incident: October 1, 2023 · Filed: October 6, 2023

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 degrading too fast.

Structure

ODI #11539528

Incident: January 1, 2023 · Filed: August 19, 2023

The roof on outside is starting to flake off in chunks and expose bottom layers.

Electrical System

ODI #11539526

Incident: July 13, 2023 · Filed: August 19, 2023

Battery degradation

Other BMW I3 model years

Check your 2016 BMW I3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW I3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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