FaultScore

BMW I3 vs Acura CL

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW I3 Acura CL
Complaints on file 293 731
Model years covered 2014–2019 1997–2004
Worst model year 2017 2001
Best model year 2018 1998
Crashes reported 16 49
Fires reported 2 4
Injuries reported 8 35
Deaths reported 0 7
Most complained-about part Steering Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 8.9% 13%

BMW I3 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Steering 48 16.4%
Body & Structure 39 13.3%
Airbags 28 9.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 20 6.8%
Other & Unspecified 20 6.8%
Fuel & Propulsion 19 6.5%

Acura CL by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks