2016 Bmw i3 problems and recalls

Owners filed 16 complaints on the 2016 Bmw i3 in the last three full years, out of 33 on record. The most cited component is the Structure.

33
Complaints
2
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
60.9
Severity index

Severity index 60.9 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 60.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

StructureStructure: 10 complaints (30.3%)10 30%SteeringSteering: 8 complaints (24.2%)8 24%Air BagsAir Bags: 6 complaints (18.2%)6 18%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 5 complaints (15.2%)5 15%Power TrainPower Train: 3 complaints (9.1%)3 9%EngineEngine: 2 complaints (6.1%)2 6%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 2 complaints (6.1%)2 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 2 complaints (6.1%)2 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STRUCTURE1030.3%
STEERING824.2%
AIR BAGS618.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM515.2%
POWER TRAIN39.1%
ENGINE26.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER26.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL26.1%

Complaints filed per year

06112016: 12017: 22018: 12019: 42020: 32021: 42023: 112024: 12025: 42026: 2 (partial year)1617181920212311242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20161
20172
20181
20194
20203
20214
202311
20241
20254
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.5x those in 2019 to 2021 (16 against 11).

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.

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.