Problem Lookup › BMW › i3
BMW i3 Problems, Recalls and Owner Complaints by Model Year
Across 6 model years, NHTSA lists 12 recalls and 231 owner complaints for the BMW i3. Newest model year first. Data as of October 25, 2026.
BMW i3 by model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 BMW i3 | 0 | 13 | |
| 2018 BMW i3 | 0 | 14 | |
| 2017 BMW i3 | 3 | 53 | |
| 2016 BMW i3 | 2 | 33 | |
| 2015 BMW i3 | 3 | 47 | |
| 2014 BMW i3 | 4 | 71 |
Model years with no recall and fewer than three complaints are not listed. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. All BMW models.
BMW i3: questions owners ask
Which BMW i3 year has the most problems?
By owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the BMW i3 model years with the most are the 2014 (71), 2017 (53) and 2015 (47). Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are naturally lower; compare years of a similar age.
Which BMW i3 years have the fewest complaints?
Leaving out the newest model years (too new to compare), the fewest owner complaints were filed for the 2019 (13), 2018 (14) and 2016 (33), out of 6 model years from 2014 to 2019. A low count can also mean that year sold fewer cars.
How many recalls does the BMW i3 have?
NHTSA lists recalls for 4 BMW i3 model years, 12 in total when counted per model year (one recall often covers several years). The years with the most are the 2014 (4), 2015 (3) and 2017 (3). Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Which BMW i3 years have the most stalling complaints?
10 owner complaints across 2 BMW i3 model years describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. The most were filed for the 2014 (6) and 2019 (4) model years. Each model-year report has the owner quotes and any related recall.
How often does the BMW i3 fail its MOT?
In 2023 UK MOT tests, the BMW i3's first-time failure rate ranged from 10.1% for cars first registered in 2019 to 16.5% for 2014, across 9 registration years with at least 100 tests. Older cars fail more often. The most common failure areas were tyres, lights and electrics, visibility (windscreen, wipers, mirrors). Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.