2015 BMW I3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Nov 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2025
“The carbon fiber roof of my 2015 is de-laminating and the resin coating is bubbling. BMW knows its an issue for all I3's without a sun roof and with Carbon fiber roofs and won't fix it.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2023
“The carbon fiber roof is delaminating. The outer layer is pulling away from the base layer. I understand that this is a structural panel. No lights messages or warnings. The problem is very common with this vehicle. It has not been inspected.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2023
“The roof has delaminated and is causing leaks within the main cabin yes available for inspection upon request. The structural integrity of the roof is no longer intact and only getting worse. Yes. The problem has been presented to bmw to no avail. BMW does not provide any means to repair nor will acknowledge the issue. Original the roof material got one area of bubbling and within a month or so it had spread throughout the remainder of the roof.”Owner report · Structure · May 2022
“Carbon fiber roof panel is bubbling and coming apart. BMW reports this is a structural component of the car and is designed to take impact stresses, however my vehicle and others, the roof is deteriorating and BMW does not acknowledge the issue.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2021
“Power steering malfunctioned causing steering to be very stiff. This happened whenever the car exceeded about 25 MPH, and returned to normal at low speeds. The car wanted to veer out of the lane and required force to keep it in the lane. After turning the car off and back on, the car steering returned to normal. This event happens sporadically, about once a month. While the steering can be overpowered to keep the car on course, this can be very dangerous if you are not expecting it.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2015 bmw i3. The contact stated that the vehicle charging port overheated while charging and melted. The vehicle was taken to bmw of rochester hills, 45550 dequindre rd, shelby charter twp, mi 48317, and was diagnosed but the contact was not aware what was the diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2021
“The driver's side airbag indicator illuminated upon vehicle startup. The dealer diagnosed that there was a fault in the system and that the airbag might not deploy in a collision. This failure made the vehicle unsafe to drive.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
“The adaptive cruise control (acc) in the i3 is single camera based, and will deactivate during a number of conditions (such as driving into direct sunlight which blinds the camera.) this is a design limitation, but not the problem. The problem is when acc deactivates, the car immediately goes into full regen braking without warning. At highway speeds this is a sudden and significant deceleration that poses a safety hazard (being rear ended).”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 Crash Protection."
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2015 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact I3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2015 BMW I3 reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 BMW I3. The most complained-about area is steering (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2015 BMW I3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 30,250 miles or less.
Does the 2015 BMW I3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.