FaultScore

Worst years for a BMW I3

Owners have filed 293 complaints about the BMW I3 with NHTSA across model years 2014 to 2019. More of them are about the steering than anything else.

Avoid

2017 BMW I3

71 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly body & structure.

Cleanest on record

2018 BMW I3

17 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every BMW I3 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2019 C 24 3 0 7,400 Electrical System
2018 B 17 0 0 17,000 Steering
2017 D 71 4 1 10,000 Body & Structure
2016 C 41 3 0 28,000 Body & Structure
2015 D 63 3 1 29,500 Steering
2014 D 77 3 0 23,300 Transmission & Drivetrain

What breaks on a BMW I3

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Steering 48 16.4%

Worst in 2015

Body & Structure 39 13.3%

Worst in 2017

Worst in 2014

Worst in 2017

Airbags 28 9.6%

Worst in 2015

Acceleration & Cruise Control 20 6.8%

Worst in 2014

Other & Unspecified 20 6.8%

Worst in 2017

Fuel & Propulsion 19 6.5%

Worst in 2014

Engine & Cooling 18 6.1%

Worst in 2014

Brakes 6 2.0%

Worst in 2017

Seat Belts 6 2.0%

Worst in 2014

Suspension 5 1.7%

Worst in 2014

Tires 5 1.7%

Worst in 2017

Wheels 5 1.7%

Worst in 2014

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every BMW I3, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Nov 2014 peak 20 Jul 2026

Compare the BMW I3

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.