BMW i3 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank BMW i3 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (13) and the 2014 the most (54).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
13 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 31–113 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 35–118 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
33 | 2 | Structure | — | 39–124 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
47 | 3 | Steering | — | 39–124 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
52 | 3 | Structure | — | 35–124 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
54 | 4 | Power train | — | 39–124 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the BMW i3 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2014 BMW i3: 54 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 14 (26%); Engine 9 (17%); Air bags 8 (15%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 23,300 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 BMW i3: 52 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 12 (23%); Steering 11 (21%); Electrical system 7 (13%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,650 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2015 BMW i3: 47 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 15 (32%); Air bags 7 (15%); Structure 7 (15%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The BMW i3 years with the fewest complaints
2019 BMW i3: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 6 (46%); Steering 4 (31%); Power train 3 (23%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 1 recall campaign listed.
2018 BMW i3: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 3 (21%); Steering 3 (21%); Structure 3 (21%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2016 BMW i3: 33 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 10 (30%); Steering 8 (24%); Air bags 6 (18%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 21,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in BMW i3 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 52 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10,650 |
| 2016 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21,000 |
| 2015 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2014 | 54 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23,300 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest BMW i3 recalls
- Excessive Neck Tension-Extension Force/FMVSS 208 (2014–2018 model years; 32,000 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2017; 17V720000)
- Fuel Vent Line may Chafe and Leak Fuel Vapor (2014–2017 model years; 19,130 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2017; 17V088000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag May not Deploy Properly (2014–2015 model years; 6,073 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V628000)
- Seat Mounted Air Bags may not Deploy (2017 model year; 3,506 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2016; 16V914000)
- Risk of Shock or Fire from Charging Cable (2018 model year; 3,501 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2018; 18V652000)
All 8 BMW i3 recall campaigns · BMW i3 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
BMW i3 years FAQ
Which BMW i3 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (13). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there BMW i3 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2014, 2017 and 2015 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common BMW i3 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (48 of 213 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the BMW i3 have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the BMW i3. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the BMW i3 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.