2018 BMW I3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2018 BMW I3, and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2018 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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Hybrid propulsion system and traction battery (electrical 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.
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.
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Electrical (equipment)
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 TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail,…
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 1-800-525-7417.
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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…
14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 BMW I3 have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 21,655 miles. Complaints peaked in 2022 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“After reviewing BMW’s warranty documentation, I believe that the part replaced — specifically the evaporative emissions (EVAP) valve or purge valve AND vapor canister (active charcoal canister) — shou”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 18, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system
“Roof delaminating and is danger of flying off”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 12, 2024 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 BMW i3 (i3 (94Ah), i3 (94Ah) with Range Extender, i3s (94Ah), i3s (94Ah) with Range Extender). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 35–118 MPGe |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 36–129 / 33–106 |
| 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 2018 BMW I3
How do I know if my 2018 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 2018 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 17V720000).
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.