Hatchback · PHEV
BMW i3 2015–2021 (I01)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $42,400–$51,500
- MPG
- 39 · 153 mi elec
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Below-average passenger space
How it scores for you10 scores
A carbon-fiber city car decades ahead on efficiency, hobbled by short range and quirky four-seat packaging.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 3 of its 7 recalls were serious. About 5% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $2,050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 73% of cars we track.
15.1 cu ft of cargo space — among the smallest of the hatchbacks we track.
Four seats and coach doors work for city use, but rear access requires the front doors open and space is tight.
Instant torque, a tiny turning circle, and RWD make it zippy in town; skinny tires and short range end the fun on back roads.
Carbon-fiber construction and the EV drivetrain were radical; cabin tech is 2014-era iDrive with modest screens.
Airy, lounge-like cabin on a choppy short-wheelbase ride; noticeable freeway pitter-patter.
EVs have typically lost value the fastest.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls12 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
12 recalls · 6 common complaint areas across 2015–2019
- Steering — 15 complaints (2015)
- Recall — Electrical system; hybrid propulsion (2019)
- Structure — 11 complaints (2017)
2021
No recorded issues.
2020
No recorded issues.
2019
- RecallElectrical system; hybrid propulsion19V599000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were sitting at a traffic light for a few minutes behind another vehicle. Suddenly, our car accelerated very quickly. My foot was on the brake when the car accelerated. I felt the brake pedal depress further as it accelerated. I initially thought a car had hit us from behind and propelled us forw
2018
- RecallAirbags: frontal17V720000
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 St
- RecallEquipment: electrical18V652000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the Turb
- RecallElectrical: propulsion system: traction battery; hybrid propulsion system19V310000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.
2017
- RecallAirbags16V914000
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, Min
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings17V088000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal17V720000
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 St
- Complaint clusterStructure11 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
My 2017 i3 has a deteriorating roof. The roof, which is made of carbon fiber, is peeling and pieces are breaking off. This has also led to the interior upholstery of my roof to peel and sag. I am worried moisture will be let into my car, creating a mold issue. I contacted BMW and my extended warrant
- Complaint clusterSteering11 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
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
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other9 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After purchasing this car used, I signed up for MyBMW remote services. My account portal stated Emergency SOS call button and crash detection services were active on my car. I decided to test, and it turns out it's not, due to the issue in SIB 84 09 22. The car will just receive a call failed mess
- Complaint clusterElectrical6 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
- Complaint clusterPowertrain5 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
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
2016
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings17V088000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal17V720000
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 St
- Complaint clusterStructure10 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
The roof has bubbled and peeled away leaving an exposed permeable roof, meaning if it rains, water will get into the car because of the roof material being not safe, not strong, peeling away. Just terrible! Looking online, so many people with i3s ha e all had the same issue!
- Complaint clusterSteering8 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that after making a turn, the steering wheel failed to properly return to center. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was
2015
- RecallAirbags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module15V628000
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
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings17V088000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal17V720000
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 St
- Complaint clusterSteering15 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
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 return
- Complaint clusterStructure7 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
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 weav
- Complaint clusterAirbags6 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
airbag failed. alert light went on. Had to be replaced.
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 BMW I3. The contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the A/C
Cost to own$31,400 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$42,400–$51,500
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,050/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
41
Highway MPG
37
Combined MPG
39
Electric range
153 mi
Horsepower
170 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
15.1 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
36.9 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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