39 of the 293 complaints filed about the BMW I3 are about the body and structure — 13% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2017.
39
Complaints
13%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
The carbon fiber roof panel is starting to delaminate and I am concerned that pieces could fly off and cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11753562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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 that the roof panel has to be replaced and it is costly.
NHTSA complaint #11746860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 windshield. When I stopped, I saw more sheets hanging loose from the roof and I peeled off what I could. I think this is dangerous and understand it is common on BMW i3s (which are made of carbon fiber) and other BMW cars.
NHTSA complaint #11741143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The roof is delaminating causing a danger to my vehicle and others
NHTSA complaint #11713691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 carbon.
NHTSA complaint #11695130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The carbon fiber roof is bubbling and disintegrating. I have one section behind the passenger door that is the size of my FULL hand that is in a circle shape where the roof is scaling and peeling. Each day that passes, the known spot is getting bigger and bigger. It's embarrassing to see this happening to my car and makes my care look worthless. Definite eye sore. I currently have the (1) i3 EV that is the family car, (2) M3's mine is a convertible and the other is my husbands, of course, (1) M1 my son's and (1) M235 I which is my daughters. We are definitely a BMW family. Shame on BMW if they do not cover this.
NHTSA complaint #11692851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that there were discolored bubbles developing on the roof of the vehicle. The roof of the vehicle was delaminating. Upon further inspection, the contact found out that the hot climate and UV rays and the composite structure might be the factors causing the failure. The vehicle was taken to a body shop. The contact was informed that the carbon fiber used on the vehicle might have caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
NHTSA complaint #11690344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board having corrosion and creating a short, but no recall exists.
NHTSA complaint #11684619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal.
NHTSA complaint #11673642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Carbon fiber Roof delaminate and risk of flying off
NHTSA complaint #11673269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The roof has bubbled and peeled away leaving an exposed permeable roof, meaning if it rains, water will get into the car because of the roof material being not safe, not strong, peeling away. Just terrible! Looking online, so many people with i3s ha e all had the same issue!
NHTSA complaint #11646070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Translucent protection coat on roof delaminated; pieces blown into air. Bare roof and some coat pieces available for inspection upon request (no inspection yet). Other BMW i3 owners have reported same issue. No prior indication of problem on vehicle itself.
NHTSA complaint #11640459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The carbon fiber roof is delaminating and a portion of it came off and hit the front windshield of another car, causing them to partially lose control of their vehicle almost causing an accident. This is a known issue BMW has not taken an action to resolve it. I’m afraid that a larger chunk may hit somebody’s car and cause a severe accident.
NHTSA complaint #11618578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
A large portion of the car's hood (carbon laminate?) has ripped off and is surely to continue to tear and fly off while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11613788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Roof panel is deteriorating and loosing integrity. Outer laminate coat broke down in general sun conditions, and now underlying roof structure is breaking down as well. The dealer has not inspected the roof yet, but this is an issue widely discussed on community forums, and it’s breaking down on my vehicle now.
NHTSA complaint #11609080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Roof delaminating and is danger of flying off
NHTSA complaint #11607941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint bubbling concerns on carbon fiber roof of i3.
NHTSA complaint #11590720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
My car has a problem with the carbon fiber roof panel. In the sun, the clear epoxy of the roof is de laminating from the carbon fiber beneath it. This is a safety issue because as it delaminates the clear epoxy is no longer properly attached to the roof and may fly off and into other vehicles when traveling at highway speeds. This is a well documented issue with these cars on the Reddit forum r/BMWi3.
NHTSA complaint #11583327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I'm writing this in anticipation of my carbon-fiber roof failing, though it has not yet. It is showing standard early signs, consisting of blistering of the clear coat, which appears to be directly over the fiberglass composite roof surface proper. I keep it covered, and that probably has much to do with the blistering not advancing noticeably in recent times.
NHTSA complaint #11581534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Carbon roof delaminating due to lack of UV protection. Parts of i3 roofs dethatching at highway speeds.
NHTSA complaint #11566499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.