BMW i3 Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the BMW i3 have?

The BMW i3 has 8 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 2014 through 2019. Individual vehicles may be subject to fewer recalls depending on their specific model year and production date.

Q: Is my i3 under recall?

Whether your specific i3 is subject to a recall depends on your vehicle's exact VIN, not just the model year. A recall may apply to a specific production date range or certain build configurations. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov/recalls to see which, if any, open recalls apply to your exact vehicle.

Q: What is the most recalled i3 year?

Based on NHTSA recall data, the 2014 BMW i3 has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 4 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

8 recall campaigns on record across 4 model years of the BMW i3. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

Check Your Specific VIN — Free All BMW Recalls

Recall Campaigns

162

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

4 affected model years11 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 2014

Affected Model Years

20191R · 9C 20182R · 8C 20171R · 36C 20144R · 51C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Airbag4 campaigns (50%)

Other2 campaigns (25%)

Engine1 campaign (13%)

Electrical1 campaign (13%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — BMW i3

STEERING

POWER TRAIN

STRUCTURE:BODY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEELS

Based on 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years. 8 injuries reported.

All BMW i3 Recall Campaigns

#17V7200002014 BMW i3Airbag

Issued: Invalid Date

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 Motor Vehicle Safety St…

Risk: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at …

#17V0880002014 BMW i3Engine

Issued: Sep 2, 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.

Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners m…

#15V6280002014 BMW i3Airbag

Issued: Jul 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 passenger frontal air bag…

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

Remedy: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-8…

#14V4220002014 BMW i3Airbag

Issued: Invalid Date

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an air bag inflator that was not assembled…

Risk: If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

#16V9140002017 BMW i3Airbag

Issued: Invalid Date

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, Cooper S All4, Min…

Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

#18V6520002018 BMW i3Electrical

Issued: Invalid Date

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the Turb…

Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800…

#19V3100002018 BMW i3Other

Issued: Invalid Date

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.

Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

#19V5990002019 BMW i3Other

Issued: Invalid Date

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.

Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recalls by Component

1Engine Recalls

#17V088000MY 2014

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 ba…

4Airbag Recalls

#17V720000MY 2014

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 …

#15V628000MY 2014

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 MI…

#14V422000MY 2014

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2,…

#16V914000MY 2017

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 s…

1Electrical Recalls

#18V652000MY 2018

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2…

BMW i3 Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the BMW i3 have?

The BMW i3 has 8 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 2014 through 2019.

Is my i3 under recall?

Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.

What is the most recalled i3 year?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2014 BMW i3 has the highest recall campaign count (4 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.

Does a i3 recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?

Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Who pays for recall repairs on a i3?

The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific BMW i3 for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My i3

BMW i3 Problems & Complaints All BMW Recalls All Makes — Recall Center