2017 Bmw i3: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 3 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
50
Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
4
Injuries
92.0
Severity index
Severity index 92.0 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 136 2017 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2017 Bmw i3 ranks 39 of 136 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 71% of its model-year peers. See the full 2017 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 11 | 22.0% |
| STEERING | 11 | 22.0% |
| STRUCTURE | 10 | 20.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 | 14.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 6 | 12.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 3 | 6.0% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 | 6.0% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | 4.0% |
The single most-reported system is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, cited in 11 of 50 complaints (22.0%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 5 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 2.2x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
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. |
| 16V914000 | 20/12/2016 | AIR BAGS | BMW 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 |
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.