2019 BMW I3 recalls and problems

The 2019 BMW I3 has 1 recall and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

Pictured: a 2018 model; the 2019 may differ in details. Photo: 2018 Bmw I3 by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2019 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 7 I3 model years — 6th most.

1recalls

13complaints

1crashes

0fires

0injuries

7,400median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

1 recall

Electrical System

Aug 14, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V599000 · 139 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other2

Hybrid Propulsion System1

Seat Belts1

Service Brakes1

Structure1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

Summary

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

2019 vs. other BMW I3 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2019. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2019 BMW I3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2019 BMW I3, the latest from Aug 14, 2019 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW I3?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (6), steering (4), power train (3). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.