2017 BMW i3 structure problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the structure on the 2017 BMW i3 — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The carbon fiber roof panel is starting to delaminate and I am concerned that pieces could fly off and cause an accident.”
filed Jul 29, 2026
“On May 30, 2026, I was driving on the NJ Turnpike with high winds and I heard loud sounds like hard rain on the roof of my BMW i3. I saw sheets flying off the roof. When I parked the car, the clear coat covering the roof had delaminated, exposing the carbon fiber. The BMW collision shop told me…”
filed Jun 27, 2026
“I bought the car new in 2017. Last summer, I noticed bubbles on the roof. On May 30, 2026, as I was driving 65 mph on the NJ Turnpike, I heard sounds on the roof like hard rain but it was not raining. I saw large sheets flying off my roof towards other cars, and some flying sheets were large enough to obscure a…”
filed May 31, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Structure problems in other i3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 i3 | 10 | 30% |
| 2015 i3 | 7 | 15% |
| 2014 i3 | 6 | 11% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2017 BMW i3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.