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2016 BMW i8 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 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.
- 0safety recalls
- 3owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 10%fail the UK MOT
3 complaints, against an average of 2 for the other 3 BMW i8 model years.
Every BMW i8 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 BMW i8?
The components named most often in the 3 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2016 BMW i8 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 BMW i8 as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2016 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 DVSAAirbags may not deploy
Risk: The igniter for the certain airbag modules may not have been correctly manufactured which may affect air bag deployment in the event of a collision.
Fix: Where necessary replace affected airbag modules.
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.
EU Safety GateThe side, head and knee protection airbags of the front passenger seat may not work.This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of an accident.
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 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
How often does the 2016 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 2016, 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 2016 BMW i8 owners report?
3 of the 3 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.
2016 BMW I8 EME HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY TEMP SENSORS (NTC SENSORS) WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED WHILE DRIVING LOSS POWER AND MY HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY SHUT DOWN AT THE RED LIGHT BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AGAIN AD MAKE IT HOME
High voltage battery assembly cell module temperature sensors Over time one or more of the high voltage cell modules internal sensors fail its a saftey issue A shut down of the high voltage electrical power would result in loss of propulsion increasing the risk of a crash vechicle will not restart
I PURCHASED PIRELLI P ZERO SUMMER SPORTS 245/40 IN THE REAR AND DROVE ABOUT 300 MILES SINCE, AND THEY LOOK WORN-OUT AND THE CAR SLIPS PRETTY BAD IN THE RAIN. JUST AFTER PURCHASING THE TIRES ON A RAINY DAY ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SPUN OUT ALMOST RAN INTO THE MEDIAN. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT BRAND NEW TIRES WOULD WEAR OUT SO QUICKLY THAT IT WOULD BECOME SLICK IN 100-200 MILES WITH NORMAL DRIVING, NO TRACK, NO RACING? PIRELLI OR DISCOUNT TIRE IS NOT TAKING THIS SAFETY CONCERN SERIOUSLY AND IS ONLY STALLING. I HAVE CALLED 6-7 TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO CONTACT THE DISCOUNT TIRE, AND…
2016 BMW i8: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 BMW i8 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW i8; the most common categories were electrical system (2, 66.7%), engine (1, 33.3%), tires (1, 33.3%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW i8?
Across 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (66.7% of complaints), engine (33.3% of complaints), tires (33.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 BMW i8 have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 BMW i8. Recalls can be issued at any time, so 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 2016 only.