2017 Bmw i3 problems and recalls

Owners filed 20 complaints on the 2017 Bmw i3 in the last three full years, out of 51 on record. The most cited component is the Structure.

51
Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
4
Injuries
70.8
Severity index

Severity index 70.8 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 70.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 53 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 61% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

StructureStructure: 11 complaints (21.6%)11 22%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 11 complaints (21.6%)11 22%SteeringSteering: 11 complaints (21.6%)11 22%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 7 complaints (13.7%)7 14%Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (11.8%)6 12%Air BagsAir Bags: 3 complaints (5.9%)3 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 3 complaints (5.9%)3 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 2 complaints (3.9%)2 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STRUCTURE1121.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1121.6%
STEERING1121.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM713.7%
POWER TRAIN611.8%
AIR BAGS35.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM35.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL23.9%

Complaints filed per year

06112017: 42018: 12019: 112020: 32021: 42022: 22023: 52024: 82025: 72026: 6 (partial year)1718191120212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20174
20181
201911
20203
20214
20222
20235
20248
20257
2026 (year to date)6
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.2x those in 2020 to 2022 (20 against 9).

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.
16V91400020/12/2016AIR BAGSBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4

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 2026-08-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.