Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2018.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 i3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 i3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 i3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 i3 | 13 | 1 |
| 2018 i3 | 14 | 3 |
| 2017 i3 | 53 | 3 |
| 2016 i3 | 33 | 2 |
| 2015 i3 | 47 | 3 |
| 2014 i3 | 54 | 4 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Steering48
- Structure41
- Electrical system32
- Power train31
- Air bags25
- Vehicle speed control20
- Unknown or other20
- Engine17
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 7 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 BMW i3 BEV 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2020 | 2020 BMW i3 BEV 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 2019 BMW I3 BEV 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 BMW I3 BEV 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 BMW I3 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 BMW I3 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 BMW I3 5 HB RWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
In New Zealand
599 i3 cars are on the New Zealand register; 98% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 2018 | 28 | 0 | 27 |
| 2017 | 81 | 0 | 79 |
| 2016 | 83 | 0 | 82 |
| 2015 | 190 | 0 | 188 |
| 2014 | 190 | 0 | 186 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
7,145 i3 cars are on Dutch roads; 18% arrived later as imports, and 20 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 296 | €44,417 |
| 2021 | 726 | €44,416 |
| 2020 | 878 | €44,522 |
| 2019 | 1,795 | €47,985 |
| 2018 | 967 | €45,107 |
| 2017 | 900 | €45,718 |
| 2016 | 439 | €44,828 |
| 2015 | 526 | €48,368 |
| 2014 | 436 | €46,805 |
| 2013 | 182 | €45,572 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
1,113 i3 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 37% petrol, 0% diesel, 60% electric; 40% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 60 | 38,000 km |
| 2021 | 47 | 46,000 km |
| 2020 | 65 | 66,000 km |
| 2019 | 202 | 83,000 km |
| 2018 | 145 | 89,000 km |
| 2017 | 178 | 103,000 km |
| 2016 | 147 | 114,000 km |
| 2015 | 137 | 124,000 km |
| 2014 | 116 | 132,000 km |
| 2013 | 16 | 139,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 450 i3 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 4 of those collisions were fatal and 91 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 81 | 0 | 21 |
| 2024 | 79 | 2 | 9 |
| 2023 | 118 | 1 | 28 |
| 2022 | 83 | 1 | 10 |
| 2021 | 89 | 0 | 23 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
25,251 i3 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | — |
| 2022 | 2,618 | 14 |
| 2021 | 3,364 | 20 |
| 2020 | 4,048 | 36 |
| 2019 | 3,938 | 63 |
| 2018 | 2,999 | 54 |
| 2017 | 3,077 | 58 |
| 2016 | 2,113 | 35 |
| 2015 | 1,834 | 46 |
| 2014 | 1,142 | 51 |
| 2013 | 116 | 23 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
20,141 i3 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 88% passed first time, against 83% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 186 | 90% |
| 2020 | 4,202 | 88% |
| 2019 | 4,149 | 90% |
| 2018 | 3,052 | 90% |
| 2017 | 3,142 | 88% |
| 2016 | 2,147 | 87% |
| 2015 | 1,933 | 86% |
| 2014 | 1,205 | 83% |
| 2013 | 125 | 84% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | i3 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.2% | 5.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.5% | 4.7% |
| Visibility | 2.3% | 3.5% |
| Brakes | 0.7% | 3.2% |
| Suspension | 0.6% | 2.7% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | 1.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
106,473 new BMW i3 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2013 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (4,589), France (1,255), Sweden (695).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8,872 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 12,236 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 14,281 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 21,585 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 10,422 | 9 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 12,503 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2016 | 10,532 | — |
| 2015 | 8,540 | — |
| 2014 | 6,428 | — |
| 2013 | 1,074 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the i3 in 8 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Faulty production of high-voltage batteries may lead to that high voltage cell modules can overheat, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and …
The micro gas generator inside the seat belt retractor may not have been manufactured to specifications. This may lead to an impairment of the restraint function in case of an accident, increasing the risk of injury. Moreover, there may be spark formation in c…
The screws which were used to assemble seatbelts and also on the rear seats of the vehicles concerned may not have been manufactured in accordance with specifications. In some cases, the screws in question cannot withstand extreme loads, which could increase t…
Due to a manufacturing defect, the control plates of the backrest recliner in the second row of seats may break. In this case, the backrest may not be secured in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
A rollover detection sensor inside the airbag control unit might be defective. Consequently, in the event of an accident in which the vehicle tips over its roof, the airbag might not properly deploy, increasing the risk of injuries of the passengers.
Inappropriate routing might cause a leakage on the fuel tank ventilation line over time. As a result, fuel vapours may get into the engine compartment resulting in the risk of a fire.
The side, head and knee protection airbags of the front passenger seat may not work. This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of an accident.
The power electronics have not been calibrated properly which might increase the recuperation torque during the vehicle's deceleration. In this case, the vehicle might skid in slippery road conditions.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
8 campaigns cover the i3.
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.
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.
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 TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
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 Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.
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, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
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 may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an air bag inflator that was not assembled correctly. This could cause the air bag to not deploy properly in the event of an accident.
NHTSA recalls