KnownCarProblems2016 BMW i3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW i3, most often about the body and structure (30% of complaints). It is 4th of 6 i3 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2016 BMW i3 problems
Body and structure
10 complaints · 30%Parts named most often: body.
Rear hatch glass shattered at tail lights. 2nd time in less than a year. Glass is not replaceable, so whole hatch assembly needs to be installed. Very poor design and wasteful. Around 2000.00 to fix
The contact owns a 2016 BMW i3. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact heard a whistling sound, and the roof detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The…
Steering
8 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles.
The steering becomes heavy intermittently. Sometimes like there is no steering assist. Also wheel does not come back to center after turns. Typically on colder days and driving at slow speed.
Every 3 to 21 days, my steering pulls hard to the left. This occurs on flat roads on dry pavement. I have to pull the steering wheel hard to the right to keep the vehicle going straight at city driving speeds (0-35 MPH). On one occasion this occurred while on the freeway driving at 70 MPH. Tire pressures are all…
Air bags
6 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: air bag/restraint control module.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW i3. The contact stated that the driver restraint warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, and the contact was informed that the front driverâs side air bag system was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
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 vehicle was not repaired.…
Electrical
5 complaints · 15%The contact owns a 2016 BMW i3. While driving 35 MPH, both windows rolled down, the power steering seized, and the engine shut off. The contact restarted the vehicle and pulled into a fuel station. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to BMW northwest (4011 20th st e, tacoma, wa 98424, ([phone]); however…
Transmission
3 complaints · 9%Started the car after charging it overnight and "drivetrain: stop carefully" and "transmission malfunction" appeared on the dashboard. The car has been completely fine before this.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 BMW i3 recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
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 pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2016 BMW i3
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW i3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (10 complaints); steering (8 complaints, typically around 30,500 miles); air bags (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 BMW i3 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 16, 2017 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the BMW i3?
- It is 4th of 6 i3 model years by number of complaints, with 33 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.