2015 Bmw i3: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 3 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
47
Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
0
Injuries
21.3
Severity index
Severity index 21.3 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 143 2015 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2015 Bmw i3 ranks 136 of 143 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 5% of its model-year peers. See the full 2015 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 15 | 31.9% |
| STRUCTURE | 7 | 14.9% |
| AIR BAGS | 7 | 14.9% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 | 12.8% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 | 12.8% |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 | 8.5% |
| ENGINE | 3 | 6.4% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 | 4.3% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 15 of 47 complaints (31.9%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 1 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17V720000 | 16/11/2017 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 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 Mot |
| 17V088000 | 09/02/2017 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 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. |
| 15V628000 | 07/10/2015 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 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 passe |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.