NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 BMW I8 Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 BMW I8 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 BMW I8. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2020 BMW I8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW I8, describing incidents dated December 22, 2020.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11417740 · Filed May 19, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW i8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V601000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CELLS THAT WERE FAULTY. THE…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2020 BMW I8 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

Debris in Hybrid Battery may Cause Fire

NHTSA #20V601000 · Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported September 30, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 4,509 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.96% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 24, 2020

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

Safety consequence

The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. 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.

2020 BMW i8 2 DR AWD

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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 Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

1 investigation

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW I8.

Electrical System

ODI #11417740

Incident: December 22, 2020 · Filed: May 19, 2021

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW i8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V601000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CELLS THAT WERE FAULTY. THE BATTERY CELLS WERE REBUILT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WOULD BE GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 952.

Other BMW I8 model years

Check your 2020 BMW I8 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW I8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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