Problem Lookup › BMW › i8 › 2015
Car problem report
2015 BMW i8 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2015 BMW i8 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 5owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 11%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about BMW i8 year on file: 5 complaints, against an average of 1 for the other 3 model years.
Every BMW i8 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2015 BMW i8?
The components named most often in the 5 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2015 BMW i8 been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 i8 vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Improperly drilled holes within the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) hydraulic unit may restrict one or more pistons impairing the DSC functions, including braking.
Risk: Impaired DSC functionality may negatively impact vehicle handling and braking and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the DSC hydraulic unit, and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Is the 2015 BMW i8 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSASteering may not behave as designed
Risk: The engine current sensors have not been calibrated correctly which could lead to an increased recuperation torque during vehicle deceleration. An increased recuperation torque during deceleration could lead to a vehicle oversteer condition in the i3 and vehicle understeer condition in the i8. This could lead to skidding on slippery roads during driving.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and calibrate sensors for measuring the engine current.
UK DVSAFuel may leak
Risk: It is possible that lubricant contamination may result in the high current welding of the bolt for the fuel tank earth strap not being to specification. This could over time result in the fuel tank leaking. The driver will become aware of the leak either by the smell or dripping fuel after refuelling.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles and inspect the fuel tank. If necessary replace the fuel tank.
EU Safety GateThe control unit of the electronic power steering may have been incorrectly manufactured.This may cause a fire even when the vehicle is parked. Furthermore, steering assistance might fail while driving.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe power electronics have not been calibrated properly which might increase the recuperation torque during the vehicle's deceleration.In this case, the vehicle might skid in slippery road conditions.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDue to a manufacturing fault, the Hydro Unit Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) function could be impaired.The dynamic stability of the vehicle might be affected adversely in critical driving situations.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2015 BMW i8 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2015, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2015 BMW i8 owners report?
5 of the 5 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I purchased a 2015 BMW i8 (salvage title) from Parkline Motors. The vehicle history (Carfax) disclosed prior front/right damage, which I accepted. However, the dealership failed to disclose critical safety-related defects associated with that damage. Shortly after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), which controls the airbag system. This is a serious safety issue, as it can affect proper airbag deployment. I also experienced a persistent alarm system malfunction that prevented me from locking the vehicle without triggering…
I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a significant safety issue with my 2015 BMW i8. I purchased the vehicle from United BMW in Alpharetta, Georgia, on [XXX]. At the time of purchase, the car had 25,000 miles and now has 30,000 miles. Recently, the AC compressor in my BMW i8 failed catastrophically. Initially, the repair estimate was $4,000, which I approved. However, the next day, I received a revised estimate for $26,000 due to additional problems. This sudden increase in repair costs, along with the lack of clear communication from BMW, has been extremely frustrating. What is…
VEHICLE IS SAYING CHASSIS STABILIZATION ERROR WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE SAME AS DYNAMIC STABILIZATION. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND MY MAKE YEAR AND MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THE BMW DEALERSHIP NEAR ME IS REQUESTING 2,500$ TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE. WHILE I STARTED MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING THE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT FIRST SAYS INITIALIZING STABILIZATION AND THEN IT SAYS MALFUNCTION.
WHEN I DRING IN TO STREET FROM PARKING LOT, THIS VEHICLE DO NOT SPEED UP, IT IS STOP , NOT MOVING AT ALL FOR ABOUT 3 SECOND THAN KICK UP FAST. IT HAPPEN SOME TIMES NOT EVERY DAY, I WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR FIX IT LIKE 4 TIME BUT THEY CAN NOT DUPULICATE THE PROBLEM AND CHECK THE SYSTEM BUT IT CAME OUT EVERYTHING NORMAL. BUT I HAVE THOSE PROBLEM LIKE ONE EVERY MONTH SPECIALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING LOW SPEED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW I8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME ENGINE HEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,600.
2015 BMW i8: questions owners ask
Is the 2015 BMW i8 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW i8; the most common categories were electrical system (2, 40%), engine (2, 40%), air bags (1, 20%). There is 1 safety recall.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW i8?
Across 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (40% of complaints), engine (40% of complaints), air bags (20% of complaints), electronic stability control (esc) (20% of complaints), seat belts (20% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2015 BMW i8 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2015 BMW i8; the most recent (campaign 15V882000, 2015-12-28) concerns Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own i8
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2015 only.