2016 BMW i3 buying guide

A data-driven checklist for buying a used 2016 BMW i3, built from 33 owner complaints, 2 recall campaigns, 256 service bulletins and federal safety records — not opinions.

Know before you buy

2 recall campaigns affect this model year. Check each one and confirm the repairs were done — recall work is free at any authorized dealer.
Main problem areas: structure (10), steering (8), air bags (6), electrical system (5), power train (3).
1 federal investigations have named this model year — read what they cover.
Warranty extensions exist for some issues — check the TSB list before paying for a repair the manufacturer may cover.

Before you hand over money

Run the VIN through our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact build.
Check open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall that was never fixed is a free repair you can claim.
Get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the problem areas listed above.

This guide is generated from official NHTSA, EPA and FARS records. Complaints are unverified owner reports and raw counts are not adjusted for sales volume.