2015 BMW I3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
62
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
66
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2015 BMW I3
The 2015 BMW I3 has received a total of 62 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 66 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (15 complaints), Air Bags (7 complaints), and Structurebody (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 2015 BMW I3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2015 BMW I3, potentially affecting up to 57,203 vehicles.
Recall 17V720000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 32,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V088000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 19,130 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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...
View full details →Recall 15V628000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 6,073 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such,...
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
Remedy: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2015 BMW I3
62 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 BMW I3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemcompressormodule Accm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
When driving down the interstate the carbon fiber roof suddenly delaminated of its top layer causing the cars behind me to have to slam on the brakes as chunks of carbon fiber flew off the car. This is a known issue with the BMW carbon fiber roofs that is worse on the i3 because of instead of a weave it is forged carbon.
Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal.
roof damage
The contact owns a 2015 BMW I3. The contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the A/C or the heater. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer who diagnosed and determined that a component of the A/C system that cooled the electric hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the repair needed to be completed due to the risk of the battery overheating and catching on fire. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the contact was afraid of driving the vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was advised that this was normal wear and tear of the hybrid battery system. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Safety Rating for the 2015 BMW I3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2015 BMW I3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2015 BMW I3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 66 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 BMW I3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B010818 — AIR BAGS
The Supplemental Restraint SystemâÂÂs (SRS) air bag warning lamp is illuminated, and the air bag control unitâÂÂs (ACSM4i) fault memory has stored one or both of the following fault codes: 930904 Airbag Driver 1st Stage: "Resistance too largeâ 93090A Airbag Driver 2nd Stage: âÂÂResistance too large"
B120920 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I01 REX MISFIRES AT HIGH ALTITUDES USING WINTER-BLEND FUEL: The check engine light (MIL) is displayed, and in some cases the range extender (REx) engine will run rough for about 1 to 2 seconds during cold start.
B511815 — SEAT BELTS
A Check Control Message is displayed for the Tailgate Lock Open: A Check Control Message is displayed indicating that the tailgate is open even though it is mechanically closed. Faulty tailgate lock or incorrect adjustment.
B321119 — POWER TRAIN
SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B32 11 19 dated October 2019. The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering control is never lost when the reduction of assistance occurs. The fault may self-correct for no...
B640120 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT COOL: The air conditioning no longer cools the vehicle. A vehicle test reveals one or both of the following faults stored in the IHX_I1 Control Module: 801295 - Heat Pump pressure-temperature sensor 2 after air condition compressor: pressure short to ground / open circuit 80112A -...
B121219 — STEERING
The electrical machine electronics (EME) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) may not have been produced to specifications. In the event that the EME detects this condition it will shut down high-voltage electrical power. A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion increasing the risk of...
B640419 — EQUIPMENT
INTERMITTENT HEATER OUTPUT. Intermittently the vehicle has no heater output.
B640419 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERMITTENT HEATER OUTPUT. Intermittently the vehicle has no heater output.
B511619 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
OUTER DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. One or both front outer door handles are loose. Improper tightening torque during vehicle production.
B160318 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SERVICE ACTION. REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURETEMPERATURE SENSOR. The internal sealing of the fuel tank pressure-temperature sensor may fail. As a result, the sensor may read an incorrect value and set a fault code for the fuel tank evaporation system. This may lead to the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) being...
Showing 10 of 66 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 BMW I3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW I3
- 2014 BMW I3 — 70 complaints
- 2015 BMW I3 (current)
- 2016 BMW I3 — 40 complaints
- 2017 BMW I3 — 65 complaints
- 2018 BMW I3 — 16 complaints
- 2019 BMW I3 — 18 complaints
- 2020 BMW I3 — 0 complaints