BMW i3 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability Report
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported injuries, and worst problem areas. Data sourced from federal safety databases and updated daily.
Own a BMW i3? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
BMW i3 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Worst Component | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021Best | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | Full report → |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | Full report → |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Full report → |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | Full report → |
| 2017Worst | 3 | 46 | 4 | STEERING | Full report → |
| 2016 | 2 | 32 | 1 | STRUCTURE | Full report → |
Most Common i3 Problems
Based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across recent model years.
i3 Years to Avoid
Best i3 Years to Buy
BMW i3 Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — BMW i3 Reliability
What year i3 has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 BMW i3 had the highest combined complaint and recall count among recent model years — 46 complaints and 3 safety recalls. See the full 2017 report for details on specific defects.
Is the BMW i3 reliable?
The BMW i3 has accumulated 78 owner-filed complaints and 9 safety recalls across recent model years in NHTSA's national database. The 2021 model year stands out as having the fewest reported issues in recent data. Reliability varies significantly by year and individual vehicle history — always run a VIN check before purchasing any used i3.
What are the most common i3 problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas for the BMW i3 across recent model years are: STEERING (17 reports), STRUCTURE (16 reports), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (9 reports), POWER TRAIN (4 reports). These are based on NHTSA complaints submitted directly by vehicle owners.
How do I check if my i3 has an open recall?
You can check for open recalls on any BMW i3 using the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with accident history, odometer records, and other key information. Recalls on this page are model-level — a VIN check will confirm whether your specific vehicle's recall was remedied.
Check a Specific BMW i3 VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, lien status, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free BMW i3 VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily