The 2016 BMW I3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 51,130 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS17V7200002017-11-1632,000 affected
Defect
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 Standard (FMVSS)…
Consequence
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 the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.
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.
Consequence
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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY
10
STEERING
8
AIR BAGS
5
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
POWER TRAIN
3
ENGINE
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
Total complaints41
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Driver airbag warning light illuminated. Vehicle was diagnosed at bmw of sherman oaks (ro# 176741) and confirmed as a faulty driver airbag module - part# 32-30-6-870-366. Bmw technician found fault code 930904: driver's airbag interval stage 1, resistance too high stored. Bmw na declined goodwill…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Faulty airbag warning”
“Faulty airbag warning”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 BMW I3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.