KnownCarProblems2017 BMW i3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 BMW i3, most often about the other or unspecified (23% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about i3 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2017 BMW i3 problems
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 23%The vehicle was parked off and started on fire. Upon further research I found out that my vehicle was not the only one that this has happened to. We contacted the manufacturer (BMW) but no one has called back. The vehicle was purchased in april.
Car stopped all of sudden while driving without any heads-up. Simply said call drivetrain malfunction please call roadside assistance. The most scary part is that the sudden stop
Body and structure
12 complaints · 23%Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW i3. The contact stated that there were discolored bubbles developing on the roof of the vehicle. The roof of the vehicle was delaminating. Upon further inspection, the contact found out that the hot climate and uv rays and the composite structure might be the factors causing the failure.…
Steering
11 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles.
Drove car 8 miles as normal. Got back in car and steering was abnormal. Felt as if had a flat (which did not). In steering, the car pulled to the right, and needed counter steering. The center feel of the steering was different, and easy to turn to the left. Parked the car, waited 5 minutes, and the problem was gone.…
Electric steering became unresponsive after driving a short distance. Steering felt sluggish and did not appear to have any power assistance. The feeling of the steering no longer having a power assist LED me to research the vehicle info to determine if the car was experiencing a flat tire(s). The feeling was that…
Electrical
8 complaints · 15%The windows were down and I was reaching in the car on the passenger side (door shut). My thigh made contact with the door handle and locked the car. My thigh maintained contact and the window began to roll-up. It then continued until it compressed my torso and the motor kept attempting to go up without stopping. I…
While driving on the freeway's hov lane (fully charged, not on the extended range), the car gave "drivetrain malfunction" and the propulsion died shortly after.
Transmission
6 complaints · 11%Car stopped all of sudden while driving without any heads-up. Simply said call drivetrain malfunction please call roadside assistance. The most scary part is that the sudden stop
There is rapid acceleration while taking foot off accelerator when the car is in motion going up hill. Antilock brakes slow to engage on steep declines and approaching a stop sign. There is too much power to the rear wheel, the car skids on painted surfaces such as cross walks and painted yield signs on road surfaces…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 6%While driving on the freeway's hov lane (fully charged, not on the extended range), the car gave "drivetrain malfunction" and the propulsion died shortly after.
A day after the recommended service. While driving on I 95 with range extender, noticed the drive train malfunction alert with rapid deceleration needing to pull to the right shoulder quickly. BMW assist took the car to the nearest BMW dealer, who said it was lack of electric charge, plugged the car in charger and…
Air bags
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sensor.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 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.
Air bags
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began february 6, 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2017 bmw 640i, 640i xdrive, 650i, 650i xdrive, m6, 535i, 535i xdrive, 430i, 430i xdrive, 440i, 440i xdrive, m4, x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i, i3, i8, rolls-royce dawn, mini clubman cooper, clubman cooper s, cooper all4, cooper s all4, mini 4-door cooper, cooper s, mini 2-door cooper, cooper s, john cooper works and 2016 bmw 528i, 528i xdrive, 535i, 535i xdrive, 550i, 550i xdrive, m5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
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 2017 BMW i3
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW i3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (12 complaints); body and structure (12 complaints); steering (11 complaints, typically around 12,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2017 BMW i3 have?
- 3 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 2017 a bad year for the BMW i3?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about i3 model year since 2000, with 53 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.