NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The driver airbag system may not provide adequate protection for unbelted small adult drivers in a frontal crash, increasing risk of neck injury.
This page covers 5 recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2014 BMW I3.
For the 2014 BMW i3, powertrain complaints make up the largest share of what owners report. The most common pattern is sudden, complete loss of propulsion while driving, owners describe the vehicle cutting power mid-trip with no warning, sometimes accompanied by a drivetrain malfunction warning, even when the battery shows a full charge and the range extender has fuel available. Thermal warnings and overheating reports appear alongside some of these propulsion failures. Steering complaints are the second most-reported system, though the narratives don't coalesce around a single symptom the way the powertrain complaints do. Wheel and suspension-related reports include at least one account of a vehicle leaning noticeably to one side with an accompanying screeching sound. A separate isolated report describes the carbon fiber roof delaminating and shedding material while driving.
53
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 BMW i3 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk on REx hybrid models where the fuel tank vent line can wear through and leak fuel vapor near potential ignition sources under the hood.
The airbag system accounts for three separate recalls. On some vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator was not assembled correctly and may fail to deploy properly in a crash, leaving the front passenger without full cushioning at the moment they need it most. A separate but related issue affects certain vehicles built around early 2014, where the same type of inflator assembly error can again cause the airbag to deploy improperly or not at all. Earlier repair attempts did not fully resolve the underlying problem across all affected vehicles. There is also a compliance concern specific to unbelted small-stature adult drivers: in a frontal crash, the airbag timing and deployment characteristics raise the risk of neck injury for that group compared to what federal safety standards require. These airbag concerns collectively apply to varying ranges of the 2014 model year, so VIN-level verification is the most reliable way to determine which apply to a specific vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver airbag system may not provide adequate protection for unbelted small adult drivers in a frontal crash, increasing risk of neck injury.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the driver airbag control unit software at no cost to improve crash protection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain i3 REX models, the fuel tank vent line can rub against a nearby wire protector. Over time, this friction wears through the vent line, causing fuel to leak. The enclosed engine compartment and high temperatures increase fire risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a clip to separate the fuel tank vent line from the wire protector, and inspect and replace the vent line if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank vent line may rub against the battery cable's protective sleeve, creating a hole that allows fuel vapor to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the vent line, replace it if needed, and install a clip to prevent rubbing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger front air bag may not deploy properly during a low-speed crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may not have been assembled correctly, which could prevent the air bag from deploying properly during an accident.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
