2017 BMW I3 Problems & Recalls

Summary On September 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 BMW i3 REX was involved in a severe frontal collision with a Gas Company Utility Vehicle. The impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. The passenger reports sea...

Summary On September 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 BMW i3 REX was involved in a severe frontal collision with a Gas Company Utility Vehicle. The impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. The passenger reports sea...

The carbon fiber roof is bubbling and disintegrating. I have one section behind the passenger door that is the size of my FULL hand that is in a circle shape where the roof is scaling and peeling. Each day that passes, the known spot is getting bigger and bigger. It's embarrassing to see this happen...

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 caus...

Mileage: 32,000

The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper fluid failed to function as intended. The contact's husband checked the windshield wiper reservoir; the hose had rodent teeth marks, and part of the tubing was missing. The vehicle was...

Mileage: 32,000

There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board havin...

There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board havin...

Carbon fiber Roof delaminate and risk of flying off

The rear window shattered for no apparent reason. I was directly next to the vehicle with the tailgate closed when I witnessed happened without any probable cause. Please advise. Thank you.

This has happened twice: I was driving on the expressway and didn’t hear anything hitting my little sunroof, just suddenly noise from that general area. When I pulled over I saw that the sunroof had cracked and the largest part(s) was missing.

Pieces of my roof flew off.

The vehicle has just over 35000 miles of light normal use as a second family vehicle. It developed a loud grinding noise from the etransmission that quickly progressed to a vibration. It was taken to BMW Seattle where it was diagnosed as a known issue of the main transmission bearings disintegrating...

A BMW i3 caught fire in our garage. Maintenance on the car had been performed the day prior and it was found that the mechanic left the oil cap off. It took less than 7 minutes from the time the car started smoking to the point where the entire home was engulfed in flames. The fire department was ...

Message saying driver restraint failure, air bags may not deploy properly. Random event, has been an issue with bmw i3 models.

I'm writing this in anticipation of my carbon-fiber roof failing, though it has not yet. It is showing standard early signs, consisting of blistering of the clear coat, which appears to be directly over the fiberglass composite roof surface proper. I keep it covered, and that probably has much to ...

Roof is bubbling, wrinkling, and looks like it is de-laminating

Carbon roof delaminating due to lack of UV protection. Parts of i3 roofs dethatching at highway speeds.

Carbon roof delaminating due to lack of UV protection. Parts of i3 roofs dethatching at highway speeds.

The roof of my car is delaminating. It's discoloring and developing bubbles. I looked online and found this is a common issue with the vehicle. I believe this may be a structural concern considering the cars body is composite and the roof contributes to the structural integrity of the vehicle. Not t...

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? There seems to be a series of faulty electrical/wiring issues happening with our 2017 BMW i3, most notably including the passenger seat/airbag registering system and control panel/console lighting. Yes...

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? There seems to be a series of faulty electrical/wiring issues happening with our 2017 BMW i3, most notably including the passenger seat/airbag registering system and control panel/console lighting. Yes...

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? There seems to be a series of faulty electrical/wiring issues happening with our 2017 BMW i3, most notably including the passenger seat/airbag registering system and control panel/console lighting. Yes...

Clear coat on the roof is bubbling and peeling. Could potentially come off as a large sheet and fly off hitting another vehicle or obstructing their view.

In extreme heat (119 temp outside) BMW charger was plugged into port and melted. Could have caused a fire.

While driving on the freeway, the vehicle's electric motor suddenly died. Because this is an electric vehicle, the car came to a sudden and abrupt stop, with all the wheels locking up. The car would not shift into drive or neutral or reverse. It effectively died, with the only power coming from the ...

While driving on the freeway, the vehicle's electric motor suddenly died. Because this is an electric vehicle, the car came to a sudden and abrupt stop, with all the wheels locking up. The car would not shift into drive or neutral or reverse. It effectively died, with the only power coming from the ...

The UTQG ratings on these tires are fraudulent. The ratings give an A grade for temperature over 115 but these tires wear out rapidly in Arizona. They also rate the tire wear at 400 which is also fraudulent. On my own vehicle I get less than 11,000 miles on each set and I’ve seen online complai...

The UTQG ratings on these tires are fraudulent. The ratings give an A grade for temperature over 115 but these tires wear out rapidly in Arizona. They also rate the tire wear at 400 which is also fraudulent. On my own vehicle I get less than 11,000 miles on each set and I’ve seen online complai...

In emergency situations when activating the horn, there is an unacceptable delay between when the horn is pressed and when there is actually sound produced. I have taken this up with the dealer and have been informed "that's just how it is." In looking across the internet, I see this is affecting al...

In emergency situations when activating the horn, there is an unacceptable delay between when the horn is pressed and when there is actually sound produced. I have taken this up with the dealer and have been informed "that's just how it is." In looking across the internet, I see this is affecting al...

The car turned off while driving and presented a "drivetrain" error message. The car lost power but I was able to safely steer to the side of the road. Car was taken to BMW dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. Was informed that the EME (Electric Motor Electronics) Module was bad and would n...

I had just turned on the car a few minutes prior to the incident and I was approaching an intersection to turn left onto a 2-lane highway. As I made the left turn, the steering felt wrong like the car was over then under steering. I was able to straighten out, and I felt like the power steering ha...

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Passenger restraint failure/seat sensor not registering occupant. Yes, it is a available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Failure to deploy airbag...

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Passenger restraint failure/seat sensor not registering occupant. Yes, it is a available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Failure to deploy airbag...

ROADS WERE CLEAR BUT EDGES SLUSHY. TEMP WAS 27 DEGREES.DROVE 2 MILES AT 40ISH MPH TO STARBUCKS, GOT COFFEE. NORMAL REAR WHEEL DRIVE TRACTION ISSUES WHEN CHANGING LANES, ETC. I WAS DRIVING CAREFULLY AND ABOUT 5 MPH UNDER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING. ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THE COFFEE DRIVE THROUG...

Mileage: 14,000

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN ECO PRO PLUS MOOD. WHILE SPEED IS ABOVE 56MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SOMTIMES AUTOMATICALLY BREAK TO 56 MPH. WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPENED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS DISENGAGED EVERY TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFTY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR WIL...

Mileage: 5,000

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN ECO PRO PLUS MOOD. WHILE SPEED IS ABOVE 56MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SOMTIMES AUTOMATICALLY BREAK TO 56 MPH. WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPENED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS DISENGAGED EVERY TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFTY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR WIL...

Mileage: 5,000

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN ECO PRO PLUS MOOD. WHILE SPEED IS ABOVE 56MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SOMTIMES AUTOMATICALLY BREAK TO 56 MPH. WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPENED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS DISENGAGED EVERY TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFTY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR WIL...

Mileage: 5,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 BMW I3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, HIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT STRUGGLED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO A WOODED AREA WHERE HE HIT A TRASH DUMPSTER. THE...

Mileage: 26,680

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 BMW I3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, HIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT STRUGGLED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO A WOODED AREA WHERE HE HIT A TRASH DUMPSTER. THE...

Mileage: 26,680

AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCE ON A CITY STREET, SUDDENLY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT SIDE, THE STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY ( IT FEELS LIKE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING).

Mileage: 21,000

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...

Mileage: 47,300

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...

Mileage: 47,300

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...

Mileage: 47,300

WHILEEXITING A PARKING PLACE ALONG A CURB - SLIGHT VEER OUT,ON DRY PAVEMENT, NIGHTIME, ON AN AVERAGECITY STREET. STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME BULLISH. WITHIN 100 FEET AND IN THE PROCESSOF THE 1ST UPCOMING90-DEGREE RIGHT-HANDTURN ALL MANNER OF WARNINGS WENT OFF, "PEDESTRIAN WARNING FAULTY,INCREASED STEER...

Mileage: 22,000

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.

Mileage: 29,712

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.

Mileage: 29,712

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 F...

Mileage: 13,766

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 SIGN...

Mileage: 10,000

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 SIGN...

Mileage: 10,000

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 SIGN...

Mileage: 10,000

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 TH...

Mileage: 10,650

SOME TIMES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY HEAVY ( HARD TO TURN) AND HAS A BIAS TO TURN ONE SIDE OVER THE OTHER. RESTARTING THE CAR AFTER 5 MINUTES MAKES IT OK. IT LOOKS LIKE A SOFTWARE ISSUE. IT HAPPENS SAY AT LEAST ONCE IN 2-3 MONTHS.

Mileage: 1,000

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT, STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT. I FELT RESISTANCE AND I CLEARLY NEEDED BOTH HANDS TO TURN THE WHEEL.

Mileage: 9,380

STEERING INTERMITTENTLY BECOMES HEAVY, MAKING VEHICLE HARDER TO CONTROL. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN CLEARS THE PROBLEM. IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE THE FEELING OF THE STEERING: YOU ARE ABLE TO TURN BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS TRYING TO PREVENT YOU FROM TURNING THE WHEEL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS SOFT...

Mileage: 28,500

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

Mileage: 9,600

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

Mileage: 9,600

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A PARKING SPORT OR ACCELERATING FROM LOW VELOCITY, THE POWER STEERING ON LEFT APPEARS TO LOSE POWER. THE CAR BEGINS TO PULL VERY HEAVILY TO THE LEFT. THE ISSUE CONTINUES THE ENTIRE DRIVE. THE STEERING BECAME HARD. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, THE STEERING ...

Mileage: 1

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A PARKING SPORT OR ACCELERATING FROM LOW VELOCITY, THE POWER STEERING ON LEFT APPEARS TO LOSE POWER. THE CAR BEGINS TO PULL VERY HEAVILY TO THE LEFT. THE ISSUE CONTINUES THE ENTIRE DRIVE. THE STEERING BECAME HARD. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, THE STEERING ...

Mileage: 1

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 WIT...

Mileage: 1,300

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.

Mileage: 2,000

RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM SNAPPED (STEEL FRACTURED) UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR ROAD DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND THE FRACTURE OCCURRED AFTER GENTLY ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND ALIGNMENT ...

Mileage: 4,025

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS IRREGULAR, WHICH CAUSES EXTREME DISTORTION OF THE VIEW. DRIVING IS DANGEROUS AS THE DISTORTION CAUSES DIZZINESS. THE IMAGES I SEE ARE SEVERELY DISTORTED WITH THE CAR STOPPED OR IN MOTION BUT IT GETS WORSE WHEN MY CAR AND THE CAR AHEAD ARE IN MOTION AS BOTH THE ROAD AND THE CA...

BMW LEASED ME AN I3 AFTER THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE IT HAD BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE ATTACHED AN INTERNAL BMW MEMO WHERE NOTICE WAS PROVIDED TO THEIR STAFF NOT TO LEASE THE CAR AND MY LEASE OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEMO.

Mileage: 13