The 2018 BMW I3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 35,660 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.
Consequence
A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
EQUIPMENT18V6520002018-09-203,501 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable…
Consequence
An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Complaints by component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
STEERING
3
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
AIR BAGS
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
1
POWER TRAIN
1
TIRES
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
1
Total complaints17
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“After reviewing bmw’s warranty documentation, I believe that the part replaced — specifically the evaporative emissions (evap) valve or purge valve and vapor canister (active charcoal canister) — should be covered under the california extended emissions warranty (tzev) for my 2018 bmw i3…”
“Roof delaminating and is danger of flying off”
“This isn't a safety issue, rather it's a known problem with the factory ac compressor inside of bmw i3s and i8s that seem to constantly fail. I had a replacement under the car's factory warranty and the part already failed again right outside the part's warranty period. The replacement itself was…”
“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…”
“The roof is cracking, yellowing and bubbling. I have heard that this is the beginning of roof failure and de-lamination. There have been reports and incidents of others roofs delaminating and having large pieces flying off and hitting other cars.”
“On two occasions the power steering failed while I was driving, once several months ago and again last wednesday. Fortunately I was driving on surface streets close to home. I parked the car for twenty minutes and upon starting it the problem seemed to be gone. After the first occurance I went to…”
“"driver restraint system malfunction" light came on today. Bmw i3's have had recalls in their past models due to design flaws in their airbag systems and assembly. While my car's year hasn't had a recall, searching the web shows that this issue is extremely common on bmw cars. And when the car is…”
“Hello , I am owning a bmw i3rex (2018). Recently like many other users experienced multiple times the loss of power steering after starting the vehicle. While previous events like this were short lived and resolved with stopping, turning off and on the vehicle, this time it was on entering a…”
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 2018 BMW I3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.