2014 BMW i3 problems & reliability
53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 BMW i3, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 14 | 26% |
| Engine | 9 | 17% |
| Air Bags | 8 | 15% |
| Steering | 7 | 13% |
| Electrical System | 6 | 11% |
| Structure | 6 | 11% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 11% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 9% |
| Wheels | 5 | 9% |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 24,050 miles (middle 50% between 9,750 and 46,882 miles), based on 30 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Sudden unintended deceleration on highway Complete loss of propulsion Thermal warning / overheating Date: May 11, 2026 Mileage: approximately 18,966+ Vehicle: 2014 BMW i3 REx, VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Power Train · filed May 11, 2026
“The contact owns a 2014 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at 49 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal screeching sound and was leaning on the driver's side rear-end. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a rear-end inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was…”
Power Train · filed Mar 31, 2026
“BMW Service Bulletin SI B22 04 15 to replace motor mount bolts and other components due to failure in 2016 was done on my vehicle in 2016. BMW has replaced all motor mounts in 2014 and 2015 i3's in Europe. The motor mounts were redesigned for 2016 and newer models. From online forums I see that many of the 2014 and…”
Power Train · filed Mar 2, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
Technical service bulletins
313 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2014 BMW i3. The 10 most recent:
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…
B011124 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Dec 4, 2024
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…
011024 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Dec 4, 2024
The Supplemental Restraint Systemâ  s (SRS) air bag warning lamp is illuminated, and the air bag control unitâ  s (ACSM4i) fault memory has stored one or both of the following fault codes: 930904 Airbag Driver 1st…
B010818 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 25, 2024
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information…
B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 11, 2024
The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2…
SIB651312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2022
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 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2021
The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2…
B651312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2021
Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents).
B640621 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2021
Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vent). The following fault code is saved in the IHKA (integrated automatic heating/air conditioning system) control unit…
B640621 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2021
TELEMATICS UNIT DEACTIVATION DUE TO 3G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY DISCONTINUATION: The discontinuation of 3G cellular communication for Combox, TCB 3G and ATM 3G (Telematics ControlModule) can no longer be supported by the…
B840121 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2021
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2014 BMW i3 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2014 BMW i3?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 24,050 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.