The 2015 BMW I3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 57,203 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS17V7200002017-11-1632,000 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)…
Consequence
During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak.
Consequence
A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS15V6280002015-10-076,073 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy…
Consequence
In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
Remedy
MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Complaints by component
STEERING
15
AIR BAGS
7
STRUCTURE:BODY
7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
1crashes1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
POWER TRAIN
4
ENGINE
3
1crashes
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
SEAT BELTS
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
Total complaints62
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal.”
“Roof damage”
“Airbag failed. Alert light went on. Had to be replaced.”
“The carbon fiber roof of my 2015 is de-laminating and the resin coating is bubbling. Bmw knows its an issue for all i3's without a sun roof and with carbon fiber roofs and won't fix it.”
“The carbon fiber roof is delaminating. The outer layer is pulling away from the base layer. I understand that this is a structural panel. No lights messages or warnings. The problem is very common with this vehicle. It has not been inspected.”
“Roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view”
“The composite roof is blistering and beginning to delaminate.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07
Pedestrian alert sounds
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2015 BMW I3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.