https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the BMW I3. en-us Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:13:12 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2170435 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT The roof is delaminating causing a danger to my vehicle and others https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2166798 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2166799 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2166800 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2158360 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT Summary On September 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 BMW i3 REX was involved in a severe frontal collision with a Gas Company Utility Vehicle. The impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. The passenger reports seatbelt failure with excessive slack, leading to partial ejection from the seat, mid-thigh restraint, an https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2158361 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT Summary On September 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 BMW i3 REX was involved in a severe frontal collision with a Gas Company Utility Vehicle. The impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. The passenger reports seatbelt failure with excessive slack, leading to partial ejection from the seat, mid-thigh restraint, an https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2142357 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT When driving down the interstate the carbon fiber roof suddenly delaminated of its top layer causing the cars behind me to have to slam on the brakes as chunks of carbon fiber flew off the car. This is a known issue with the BMW carbon fiber roofs that is worse on the i3 because of instead of a weave it is forged carbon. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2142244 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT In early September, a "driver retention system" error appeared the dash display of my '19 i3. I searched the issue on line and tried but failed to resolve it. A few weeks later, the seat belt alarm stopped going off when the belt was clasped. At this point, I had no choice but bring it in for a fix. The dealer advised that there would be a $305 fee to diagnose the problem. They found a faulty https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2138784 Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT The carbon fiber roof is bubbling and disintegrating. I have one section behind the passenger door that is the size of my FULL hand that is in a circle shape where the roof is scaling and peeling. Each day that passes, the known spot is getting bigger and bigger. It's embarrassing to see this happening to my car and makes my care look worthless. Definite eye sore. I currently have the (1) i3 EV https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2134896 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that there were discolored bubbles developing on the roof of the vehicle. The roof of the vehicle was delaminating. Upon further inspection, the contact found out that the hot climate and UV rays and the composite structure might be the factors causing the failure. The vehicle was taken to a body shop. The contact was informed that the carbon fibe https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2135022 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper fluid failed to function as intended. The contact's husband checked the windshield wiper reservoir; the hose had rodent teeth marks, and part of the tubing was missing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2126420 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board having corrosion and creating a short, but no recall exists. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2126421 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board having corrosion and creating a short, but no recall exists. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2120867 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT back in march 2025 my 2014 BMW i3 REX gave out a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. The car's propulsion died while driving. I was driving in the street on the way home from picking up my chidren from school when the power completely shut off while driving. I had a full battery charge and also had about 44 miles worth of gas to use. I pull over to the side of the road, turn the car off and tried to https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2115273 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT Faulty airbag warning https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2115274 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT Faulty airbag warning https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2110249 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2109717 Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT Carbon fiber Roof delaminate and risk of flying off https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2109381 Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT roof damage https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2107114 Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT We were sitting at a traffic light for a few minutes behind another vehicle. Suddenly, our car accelerated very quickly. My foot was on the brake when the car accelerated. I felt the brake pedal depress further as it accelerated. I initially thought a car had hit us from behind and propelled us forward, but there was no car behind us. We were moving as though we had just started a drag race - full https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2107115 Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT We were sitting at a traffic light for a few minutes behind another vehicle. Suddenly, our car accelerated very quickly. My foot was on the brake when the car accelerated. I felt the brake pedal depress further as it accelerated. I initially thought a car had hit us from behind and propelled us forward, but there was no car behind us. We were moving as though we had just started a drag race - full https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2107116 Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT We were sitting at a traffic light for a few minutes behind another vehicle. Suddenly, our car accelerated very quickly. My foot was on the brake when the car accelerated. I felt the brake pedal depress further as it accelerated. I initially thought a car had hit us from behind and propelled us forward, but there was no car behind us. We were moving as though we had just started a drag race - full https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2100725 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT The rear window shattered for no apparent reason. I was directly next to the vehicle with the tailgate closed when I witnessed happened without any probable cause. Please advise. Thank you. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2084965 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filler had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2084966 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filler had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2084967 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filler had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2071379 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2019 BMW I3. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic on a bridge, the vehicle stalled, and independently shifted to park(P). The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The Police arrived on the scene and directed traffic around the vehicle until a tow truck arrived to take the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was infor https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2071380 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2019 BMW I3. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic on a bridge, the vehicle stalled, and independently shifted to park(P). The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The Police arrived on the scene and directed traffic around the vehicle until a tow truck arrived to take the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was infor https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2070674 Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT The roof has bubbled and peeled away leaving an exposed permeable roof, meaning if it rains, water will get into the car because of the roof material being not safe, not strong, peeling away. Just terrible! Looking online, so many people with i3s ha e all had the same issue! https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-i3#complaint-2062363 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT Translucent protection coat on roof delaminated; pieces blown into air. Bare roof and some coat pieces available for inspection upon request (no inspection yet). Other BMW i3 owners have reported same issue. No prior indication of problem on vehicle itself.