2016 BMW I3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2016 BMW I3, and owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2016 BMW I3
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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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 Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant…
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…
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
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.
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…
33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 BMW I3 have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 26,552 miles. Complaints peaked in 2023 with 11 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 co”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 12, 2026 · Air bags
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 15, 2026 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 BMW i3 (i3 BEV, i3 REX). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 39–124 MPGe |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 41–137 / 37–111 |
| Fuel | Electricity, Premium Gas or Electricity |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 2 cyl, 0.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
Compare BMW I3 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW I3 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 BMW I3 | 4 | 54 |
| 2015 BMW I3 | 3 | 47 |
| 2016 BMW I3 | 2 | 33 |
| 2017 BMW I3 | 3 | 52 |
| 2018 BMW I3 | 3 | 14 |
| 2019 BMW I3 | 1 | 13 |
Checking a specific 2016 BMW I3
How do I know if my 2016 BMW I3 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2016 BMW I3; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V088000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.