Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 16 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
500 miles · Dec 27, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
THE "STOP AND GO" CRUISE CONTROL HAS DISENGAGED OVER 100 TIMES AND HAS SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON 5 TIMES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE SHOWN BMW OVER 50 PHOTOS AND 3 VIDEOS OF THIS AND THEY FIND EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE WHEN USING THIS CRUISE CONT…
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THE "STOP AND GO" CRUISE CONTROL HAS DISENGAGED OVER 100 TIMES AND HAS SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON 5 TIMES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE SHOWN BMW OVER 50 PHOTOS AND 3 VIDEOS OF THIS AND THEY FIND EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE WHEN USING THIS CRUISE CONTROL. BMW ALSO REFUSES TO TAKE THE CAR BACK.
NHTSA ODI #11056791
35 miles · Oct 5, 2017
Unknown Or OtherCrash
I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING AT AROUND 9:15 AM PREPARING TO PARK BMW I3 ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN TO THE GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BUT NOTICE THAT BRAKE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, MEANING THERE WAS NO FEELING OF VEHICLE WAS IN A LOCK P…
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I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING AT AROUND 9:15 AM PREPARING TO PARK BMW I3 ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN TO THE GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BUT NOTICE THAT BRAKE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, MEANING THERE WAS NO FEELING OF VEHICLE WAS IN A LOCK POSITION DUE TO THE BRAKE BEING PRESSURED ON THE WHEEL. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE WENT ACCELERATING OR "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR THAT WAS ONLY HALF WAY UP AND WAS STILL GOING UP. THEN, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ITS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CRASH IMPACT TO THE REFRIGERATOR THAT WAS AGAINST THE BACK SIDE OF THE GARAGE WALL. THE IMPACT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REFRIGERATOR AND THE WALL TOOK OUT ENTIRE BACK SIDE OF THE GARAGE WALL OF ABOUT 20 FEET WIDE X 8 FEET TALL WALL AND THREW OFF REFRIGERATOR 50FT TO THE GROUND LEVEL. THE VEHICLE STOP FROM THE IMPACT AND ALMOST HALF OF ITS BODY LENGTH WAS CANTILEVERING OFF THE EDGE OF THE BACK SIDE OF WALL. MY HOUSE IS BUILT ON ABOUT 35 DEGREE SLOPE AND THE VEHICLE WAS CANTILEVERED ABOUT 45 FEET FROM THE GROUND. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SAFELY BRING THE VEHICLE OFF THE EDGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOW TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WHERE I HAD IT LEASED. I MADE A REQUESTED TO THE LOCAL DEALER MANAGER IN PERSON NOT TO TEMPER WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL ALL PARTIES THAT MAY HAVE INTEREST IN THIS CASE HAVE MADE THEIR INPUT ON IT. I'VE CALLED IN TO THE BMW NORTH AMERICA AND INFORMED THIS INCIDENT. I'VE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO MY HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE REVIEW THIS CASE BECAUSE THE CONDITION THAT I AM REPORTING "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" DID HAPPEN AND IT WAS SUPER FAST! THE TOTAL DISTANCE THE VEHICLE TRAVELED FROM THE STATION POSITION TO IMPACT/STOP WAS ABOUT 50 FEET MAXIMUM, STANDARD GARAGE LENGTH PLUS ABOUT 10 FEET.
NHTSA ODI #11031969
50 miles · May 19, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN ELECTRIC RANGE IS OUT, THE ENGINE KICKS IN AND SPEED IMMEDIATELY DROP TO 50+MPH ON THE FREEWAY CLIMBING UP A HILL THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR WHICH SCARES ME AND I HAVE TO STAY ON THE LEFT LANE AND QUICKLY EXIT. I JUST READ THE LAWSUIT WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEN TO ME TOO.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
2016 BMW I3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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