Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2015AVOIDSerious complaints 2.9× usual, mostly steering and structure Extended coverage
42 serious complaints of 47, the most about steering (15) and structure (7); 2.9× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2015 vehicles. 3 recalls.
What owners report
“Steering became notchy and felt like loss of power steering at speeds above 25 mph. It also felt like it was pulling to the left while on city streets driving straight. The car is currently at bmw of las vegas. I read online where many other i3 owners were experiencing similar issues.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Feb 2020
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the structure, Oct 2025
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage X5 PHEV, I3 REX AND I8 FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES: For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicleÕs Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor to: (B011318, Jun 2018)
- Extended coverage The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first delivery date. (011024, Dec 2024)
- Repair program For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. (B012021, Nov 2021)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
47 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 39–124 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2015 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp; Electric · Drive: RWD
2015 i3 trims
| Range Extender |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as BMW reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for BMW aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.6L 2-cyl Electric | RWD | 31 mpg 113 MPGe |
Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | Yes |
| 2020 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 31 mpg 113 MPGe |
Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | Yes |
| 2019 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 31 mpg 113 MPGe |
Not rated | 1 | 13 | Electrical system (6) | Yes |
| 2018 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 35 mpg 118 MPGe |
Not rated | 3 | 14 | Fuel/propulsion system (3) | Yes |
| 2017 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 35 mpg 118–124 MPGe |
Not rated | 3 | 52 | Structure (12) | No |
| 2016 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 39 mpg 124 MPGe |
Not rated | 2 | 33 | Structure (10) | No |
| 2015 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 39 mpg 124 MPGe |
Not rated | 3 | 47 | Steering (15) | No |
| 2014 | 0.6L 2-cyl, 170 hp Electric | RWD | 39 mpg 124 MPGe |
— | 4 | 71 | Power train (21) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: i3 2018–2023, i3 2023 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BMW i3 BEV 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | BMW i3 REX 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | BMW i3 BEV 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | BMW i3 REX 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | BMW I3 BEV 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 13 |
| 2019 | BMW I3 REX 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 13 |
| 2018 | BMW I3 BEV 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 14 |
| 2018 | BMW I3 REX 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 14 |
| 2017 | BMW I3 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 52 |
| 2017 | BMW I3 PHEV 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 52 |
| 2016 | BMW I3 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 33 |
| 2015 | BMW I3 5 HB RWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 47 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | i3 | Auto (A1) | 113 |
| 2021 | i3 with Range Extender | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 31 |
| 2020 | i3 | Auto (A1) | 113 |
| 2020 | i3 with Range Extender | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 31 |
| 2019 | i3 | Auto (A1) | 113 |
| 2019 | i3 with Range Extender | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 31 |
| 2018 | i3 (94Ah) | Auto (A1) | 118 |
| 2018 | i3 (94Ah) with Range Extender | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 35 |
| 2017 | i3 BEV (60 Amp-hour battery) | Auto (A1) | 124 |
| 2017 | i3 BEV (94 Amp-hour battery) | Auto (A1) | 118 |
| 2017 | i3 REX (94 Amp-hour battery) | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 35 |
| 2016 | i3 BEV | Auto (A1) | 124 |
| 2016 | i3 REX | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 39 |
| 2015 | i3 BEV | Auto (A1) | 124 |
| 2015 | i3 REX | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 39 |
| 2014 | i3 BEV | Auto (A1) | 124 |
| 2014 | i3 REX | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | 39 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.