2016 BMW I3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
40
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
47
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 BMW I3
The 2016 BMW I3 has received a total of 40 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 47 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebody (10 complaints), Steering (8 complaints), and Electrical System (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2016 BMW I3
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2016 BMW I3, potentially affecting up to 51,130 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 →Owner Complaints for the 2016 BMW I3
40 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW I3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structurebody | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags Air Bagrestraint Control Module | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage at all. This has occurred repeatedly and creates a serious risk of being stranded or hit while merging or driving on public roads. BMW has inspected the vehicle twice (07 Nov 2025 and 13 Jan 2026) and confirmed the loss of propulsion and need to pull over but classified the behavior as “normal” without performing high-voltage battery diagnostics. The failure appears consistent with high-voltage battery voltage collapse under load, causing the battery management system to shut down the drivetrain. This is not normal power limiting — it is a sudden drivetrain shutdown that occurs without warning and poses a significant safety hazard.
While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage at all. This has occurred repeatedly and creates a serious risk of being stranded or hit while merging or driving on public roads. BMW has inspected the vehicle twice (07 Nov 2025 and 13 Jan 2026) and confirmed the loss of propulsion and need to pull over but classified the behavior as “normal” without performing high-voltage battery diagnostics. The failure appears consistent with high-voltage battery voltage collapse under load, causing the battery management system to shut down the drivetrain. This is not normal power limiting — it is a sudden drivetrain shutdown that occurs without warning and poses a significant safety hazard.
While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage at all. This has occurred repeatedly and creates a serious risk of being stranded or hit while merging or driving on public roads. BMW has inspected the vehicle twice (07 Nov 2025 and 13 Jan 2026) and confirmed the loss of propulsion and need to pull over but classified the behavior as “normal” without performing high-voltage battery diagnostics. The failure appears consistent with high-voltage battery voltage collapse under load, causing the battery management system to shut down the drivetrain. This is not normal power limiting — it is a sudden drivetrain shutdown that occurs without warning and poses a significant safety hazard.
Faulty airbag warning
Safety Rating for the 2016 BMW I3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 BMW I3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 BMW I3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 47 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 BMW I3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B650720 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VEHICLE SOUND GENERATOR IS DIFFERENT AND LOUDER AFTER PROGRAMMING: Vehicles sound is different and louder after programming to an Integration level (I-level) between I001-1911-500 and I001-19-11-556. Software in the Vehicle Sound Generator (VSG).
B513819 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER WINDOWS INOPERATIVE. The power windows won't operate in any direction. CAUSE Possible faulty window motor.
B321119 — STEERING
SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE. 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.
B340719 — SERVICE BRAKES
CCM Brake system: Press pedal harder for usual braking power. Drive with caution to nearest authorized BMW Service workshop lights up. (Check Control message ID24) The fault usually only occurs at very low temperatures and in rainy regions. CAUSE Moisture in the connector of the electric vacuum pump.
B121219 — POWER TRAIN
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...
B540219 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
RATTLE NOISE IN SUNROOF AT HIGH TEMPERATURES. A rattle noise may be heard from the sunroof area with ambient temperatures above 80°F with the sunroof glass in the vented position.
B611018 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE DISPLAY GOES BLACK, VEHICLE DOESNT START AGAIN AFTER SWITCHING THE ENGINE OFF.: On board computer and navigation system goes black or resets.
B610418 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EME SETS FAULT CODE 222931 OR LOW COST CHARGING NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER PROGRAMMING: Fault code "222931 Ð Charge management function: settings not calibrated" is stored in the Electrical Machine Electronics (EME), and/or "Low Cost Charging" is not functional after programming of vehicle.
B614217 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MIL ACTIVATED AFTER DC CHARGING LIM FC 805526: While DC charging, the charge session may fail to start and a Check Engine Light is illuminated. Fault Code 805526 is stored in the LIM as well
B621117 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAZES OVER. Customer notices a gray haze (shown below) on the instrument cluster face after: Instrument cluster was cleaned with a microfiber cloth. A film is removed from instrument cluster face after repair. Excessive electrostatic charging of the instrument cluster caused by faulty grounding inside the cluster between...
Showing 10 of 47 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 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 — 62 complaints
- 2016 BMW I3 (current)
- 2017 BMW I3 — 65 complaints
- 2018 BMW I3 — 16 complaints
- 2019 BMW I3 — 18 complaints
- 2020 BMW I3 — 0 complaints
- 2021 BMW I3 — 0 complaints