2015 BMW i3 problems & reliability
47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 BMW i3, alongside 3 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.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 15 | 32% |
| Air Bags | 7 | 15% |
| Structure | 7 | 15% |
| Electrical System | 6 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 13% |
| Power Train | 4 | 9% |
| Engine | 3 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 4% |
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 30,125 miles (middle 50% between 19,945 and 39,250 miles), based on 28 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“In the middle of driving, the coil spring on rear passenger side snapped. What happened to me today was exactly what the search result showed from the internet. And yet, when I put in my VIN # to your and BMW website, I got 0 recall for this VIN. Mine is 2015, what am I missing? Googel: Early BMW i3 models…”
Suspension · filed Jul 10, 2026
“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 weave it is forged…”
Structure · filed Oct 22, 2025
“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 or the heater. The…”
Electrical System · filed Oct 19, 2023
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
294 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2015 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 2015 BMW i3 has 3 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 2015 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 30,125 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.