Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW i3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Electrical Power May Shutdown
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.
- Consequence
- A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Risk of Shock or Fire from Charging Cable
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
- Consequence
- An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Excessive Neck Tension-Extension Force/FMVSS 208
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (14)
14 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel/propulsion system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 21.4% |
| Steering | 3 | 21.4% |
| Structure | 3 | 21.4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 21.4% |
| Air bags | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 7.1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 7.1% |
| Power train | 1 | 7.1% |
| Tires | 1 | 7.1% |
How 2018 compares with other i3 years
Best and worst i3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 54 | 4 |
| 2015 | 47 | 3 |
| 2016 | 33 | 2 |
| 2017 | 52 | 3 |
| 2018 | 14 | 3 |
| 2019 | 13 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 118 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $650
- CO₂ tailpipe
- —
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 118 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric · Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 129 / 106 / 118 | $650 | — |
| Electric · Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 126 / 99 / 112 | $650 | — |
| 0.6 L 2-cyl · Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 36 / 33 / 35 | $2,350 | 29 |
| 0.6 L 2-cyl · Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 36 / 33 / 35 | $2,350 | 29 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 i3 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2018 BMW i3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 BMW i3 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V310000 (electrical), 18V652000 (electrical), 17V720000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 BMW i3 problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel/propulsion system (3), Steering (3), Structure (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 BMW i3 get?
EPA rates the Electric · Automatic version at 129 city, 106 highway and 118 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2018 i3 compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2019 BMW i3 model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (13) and the 2014 the most (54). The 2018 drew 14. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.