2015 BMW I3

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? What I am certain is that the car suddenly shutted down in the middle of the highway. After a deep inspection, the authorized dealer inspection states that there is a problem with the Electrical Motor Electronics (EME). They are telling me that the estimate for the repair is approximately $17,000. This is very similar to the symptoms reported on Recall Campaign 19v-310: Replacing The Electric Machine Electronics (EME) – 2018 BMW i3. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was in the middle of the highway and the car shut down. I had to rapidly get to the side in order to not be impacted by the people traveling behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem was confirmed by Autogermana (Authorized Dealer in Puerto Rico). Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The car didn't have any alerts visible related to this problem as my best knowledge allows me.

I am the owner of my BMWi3. We live in a retirement community in Florida and it is the perfect vehicle for driving the short commutes of our daily activities. December 27, 2020 I ordered (from Amazon) SUNTUE Buckles Extender,Universal Fit for 7/8'' Metal Tongue, Extension Socket Connector with E11 Safety Certified -2 Pack. The purpose was to make it easier to fasten the seat belts. We are in our 70’s and it is difficult to reach down to fasten the belt. Our fingers are not as nimble as when we were young. I installed them in mid-January 2021 and a few days later the message appeared: “Driver restraint system malfunction. Continue wearing safety belt. Consult nearest service center.” Shortly after the warning appeared, I removed the extenders and thought the warning would go away. However, it continued to appear. After seeing the message for several months, I called BMW for an appointment to clear the message. September 23, 2021, I paid $160.10 for a diagnostic test, and the BMW Service Advisor told me the SRS – Airbag Driver Front: high resistance in driver airbag must be replaced. He assured me the problem is NOT related to the seat belt extenders. The advisor said the air bag would have to be ordered and gave an estimate of over $1,300. I had to sign papers stating the airbag is not safe. I searched on-line for other BMWi3 owners who have had similar experiences. I found that some other owners have had the airbag message. I then searched for “replacement of air bags” and was surprised to find that it is rarely necessary to replace the bags “because they won’t wear out.” My BMW has 35,600 miles; it is always garaged, and has not been in an accident, therefore, I do not understand what would cause my airbag system to indicate it must be replaced.

Power steering malfunctioned causing steering to be very stiff. This happened whenever the car exceeded about 25 MPH, and returned to normal at low speeds. The car wanted to veer out of the lane and required force to keep it in the lane. After turning the car off and back on, the car steering returned to normal. This event happens sporadically, about once a month. While the steering can be overpowered to keep the car on course, this can be very dangerous if you are not expecting it.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW I3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CHARGING PORT OVERHEATED WHILE CHARGING AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ROCHESTER HILLS, 45550 DEQUINDRE RD, SHELBY CHARTER TWP, MI 48317, AND WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE WHAT WAS THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ONLY 5 YEARS OLD 41K MILES, MINT CONDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING "DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE I3 BLOGS THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE. I TOOK MY CAR OVER TO BMW TODAY, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED SAME THING AS THE BLOGS ARE OUTLINING. I WAS ADVISED BUT THE SERVICE PERSON THAT IT WOULD BE 1800.00 I TOLD HIM THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE I3 AND ITS ALL OVER THE BLOGS, HE ACKNOWLEDGED HIS AWARENESS, IN ADDITION AIRBAGS SHOULD BE GOOD FOR 10 YEARS / GUARANTEED? ANYWAY I EMAILED THE FOLLOWING BMW NORTH AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASKING WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL. BERNHARD KUHNT - PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NORTH AMERICA/BMW GROUP REGION AMERICAS RICHARD HART - WARRANTY DEPARTMENT HEAD NORTH AMERICA SHAUN BUGBEE - EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT BMW THE HAVE JUST BEEN ALLOWING PEOPLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG, AS THEY INSTALLED SUBSTANDARD EQUIPMENT ON A $50K CAR. ANYWAY THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WARNING BUT IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO UPDATE AS THEY ARE TOO BIG AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO COMPRESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE..