2015 Bmw i3 problems and recalls

Owners have filed 47 complaints on the 2015 Bmw i3, and NHTSA has issued 3 recalls. The most cited component is the Steering (15 complaints).

47
Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
0
Injuries
48.3
Severity index

Severity index 48.3 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 48.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 113 of 143 by severity index among 2015 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 21% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2015 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

SteeringSteering: 15 complaints (31.9%)15 32%StructureStructure: 7 complaints (14.9%)7 15%Air BagsAir Bags: 7 complaints (14.9%)7 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 6 complaints (12.8%)6 13%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 6 complaints (12.8%)6 13%Power TrainPower Train: 4 complaints (8.5%)4 9%EngineEngine: 3 complaints (6.4%)3 6%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 2 complaints (4.3%)2 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STEERING1531.9%
STRUCTURE714.9%
AIR BAGS714.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM612.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL612.8%
POWER TRAIN48.5%
ENGINE36.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER24.3%

Complaints filed per year

0492016: 52017: 22018: 42019: 92020: 72021: 62022: 22023: 72024: 12025: 32026: 1 (partial year)16171819920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20165
20172
20184
20199
20207
20216
20222
20237
20241
20253
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (11 against 15).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V72000016/11/2017AIR BAGS:FRONTALBMW 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 Mot
17V08800009/02/2017FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSBMW 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.
15V62800007/10/2015AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEBMW 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 passe

Other Bmw i3 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 4 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.