What 47 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW I3

In the middle of driving, the coil spring on rear passenger side snapped. What happened to me today was exactly what the search result showed from the internet. And yet, when I put in my VIN # to your and BMW website, I got 0 recall for this VIN. Mine is 2015, what am I missing? Googel: Early BMW i3 models, particularly from the 2014-2016 production runs, have known issues with rear coil springs snapping, often due to corrosion or poor heat treatment. If your rear end sags, you hear a loud clank over bumps, or you notice a piece of metal resting near your rear tires, a broken spring is the likely culprit. Symptoms and inspection details include: The Snapping Point: The spring typically breaks at the very first or second coil from the bottom.

NHTSA ODI 11749626

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 weave it is forged carbon.

NHTSA ODI 11695130

Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal.

NHTSA ODI 11673642

roof damage

NHTSA ODI 11673052

airbag failed. alert light went on. Had to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11574129

The contact owns a 2015 BMW I3. The contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the A/C or the heater. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer who diagnosed and determined that a component of the A/C system that cooled the electric hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the repair needed to be completed due to the risk of the battery overheating and catching on fire. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the contact was afraid of driving the vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was advised that this was normal wear and tear of the hybrid battery system. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550767

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.

NHTSA ODI 11539524

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.

NHTSA ODI 11539543

Roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view

NHTSA ODI 11539567

The composite roof is blistering and beginning to delaminate.

NHTSA ODI 11539353

The roof has delaminated and is causing leaks within the main cabin yes available for inspection upon request. The structural integrity of the roof is no longer intact and only getting worse. Yes. The problem has been presented to bmw to no avail. BMW does not provide any means to repair nor will acknowledge the issue. Original the roof material got one area of bubbling and within a month or so it had spread throughout the remainder of the roof.

NHTSA ODI 11539390

Carbon fiber roof panel is bubbling and coming apart. BMW reports this is a structural component of the car and is designed to take impact stresses, however my vehicle and others, the roof is deteriorating and BMW does not acknowledge the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11539180

I was driving uphill on a winding, narrow highway, California State Route 18, when the range extender kicked in and I had a sudden loss of power. I could not maintain vehicle speed. It was terrifying. I was alone. I didn't know what to do. I turned on my hazard lights and I pulled over every time vehicles came up behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11488682

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? What I am certain is that the car suddenly shutted down in the middle of the highway. After a deep inspection, the authorized dealer inspection states that there is a problem with the Electrical Motor Electronics (EME). They are telling me that the estimate for the repair is approximately $17,000. This is very similar to the symptoms reported on Recall Campaign 19v-310: Replacing The Electric Machine Electronics (EME) – 2018 BMW i3. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was in the middle of the highway and the car shut down. I had to rapidly get to the side in order to not be impacted by the people traveling behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem was confirmed by Autogermana (Authorized Dealer in Puerto Rico). Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The car didn't have any alerts visible related to this problem as my best knowledge allows me.

NHTSA ODI 11465288

I am the owner of my BMWi3. We live in a retirement community in Florida and it is the perfect vehicle for driving the short commutes of our daily activities. December 27, 2020 I ordered (from Amazon) SUNTUE Buckles Extender,Universal Fit for 7/8'' Metal Tongue, Extension Socket Connector with E11 Safety Certified -2 Pack. The purpose was to make it easier to fasten the seat belts. We are in our 70’s and it is difficult to reach down to fasten the belt. Our fingers are not as nimble as when we were young. I installed them in mid-January 2021 and a few days later the message appeared: “Driver restraint system malfunction. Continue wearing safety belt. Consult nearest service center.” Shortly after the warning appeared, I removed the extenders and thought the warning would go away. However, it continued to appear. After seeing the message for several months, I called BMW for an appointment to clear the message. September 23, 2021, I paid $160.10 for a diagnostic test, and the BMW Service Advisor told me the SRS – Airbag Driver Front: high resistance in driver airbag must be replaced. He assured me the problem is NOT related to the seat belt extenders. The advisor said the air bag would have to be ordered and gave an estimate of over $1,300. I had to sign papers stating the airbag is not safe. I searched on-line for other BMWi3 owners who have had similar experiences. I found that some other owners have had the airbag message. I then searched for “replacement of air bags” and was surprised to find that it is rarely necessary to replace the bags “because they won’t wear out.” My BMW has 35,600 miles; it is always garaged, and has not been in an accident, therefore, I do not understand what would cause my airbag system to indicate it must be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11435589

Power steering malfunctioned causing steering to be very stiff. This happened whenever the car exceeded about 25 MPH, and returned to normal at low speeds. The car wanted to veer out of the lane and required force to keep it in the lane. After turning the car off and back on, the car steering returned to normal. This event happens sporadically, about once a month. While the steering can be overpowered to keep the car on course, this can be very dangerous if you are not expecting it.

NHTSA ODI 11427083

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WITH SEAT BELT ON.

NHTSA ODI 11396133

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW I3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CHARGING PORT OVERHEATED WHILE CHARGING AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ROCHESTER HILLS, 45550 DEQUINDRE RD, SHELBY CHARTER TWP, MI 48317, AND WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE WHAT WAS THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11391156

ONLY 5 YEARS OLD 41K MILES, MINT CONDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING "DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE I3 BLOGS THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE. I TOOK MY CAR OVER TO BMW TODAY, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED SAME THING AS THE BLOGS ARE OUTLINING. I WAS ADVISED BUT THE SERVICE PERSON THAT IT WOULD BE 1800.00 I TOLD HIM THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE I3 AND ITS ALL OVER THE BLOGS, HE ACKNOWLEDGED HIS AWARENESS, IN ADDITION AIRBAGS SHOULD BE GOOD FOR 10 YEARS / GUARANTEED? ANYWAY I EMAILED THE FOLLOWING BMW NORTH AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASKING WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL. BERNHARD KUHNT - PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NORTH AMERICA/BMW GROUP REGION AMERICAS RICHARD HART - WARRANTY DEPARTMENT HEAD NORTH AMERICA SHAUN BUGBEE - EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT BMW THE HAVE JUST BEEN ALLOWING PEOPLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG, AS THEY INSTALLED SUBSTANDARD EQUIPMENT ON A $50K CAR. ANYWAY THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WARNING BUT IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO UPDATE AS THEY ARE TOO BIG AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO COMPRESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE..

NHTSA ODI 11390432

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UPON VEHICLE STARTUP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE SYSTEM AND THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION. THIS FAILURE MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11386664

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSOLE HAD A MESSAGE: "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION". I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT COULD ACCELERATE AFTER THE MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NO WARNING, ONCE THE MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE CONSOLE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI 11362609

THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) IN THE I3 IS SINGLE CAMERA BASED, AND WILL DEACTIVATE DURING A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS (SUCH AS DRIVING INTO DIRECT SUNLIGHT WHICH BLINDS THE CAMERA.) THIS IS A DESIGN LIMITATION, BUT NOT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN ACC DEACTIVATES, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY GOES INTO FULL REGEN BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS IS A SUDDEN AND SIGNIFICANT DECELERATION THAT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD (BEING REAR ENDED).

NHTSA ODI 11352959

STEERING BECOMES LOPSIDED, IT'S LOOSE TO TURN ONE WAY, AND HARD TO TURN THE OTHER WAY, AS IF ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES IS FLAT. THE CAR WILL TEND TO VEER LEFT OR RIGHT, AND I HAVE TO PULL HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY AS TO WHETHER IT VEERS LEFT OR RIGHT, AND THE DIRECTION CHANGES INTERMITTENTLY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALSO INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES EVERY FEW DAYS OR EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON RESOLVES THE PROBLEM, BUT THEN THE SAME PROBLEM EVENTUALLY OCCURS AGAIN SOMETIME LATER. THIS IS MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME BEHAVIOR ON I3'S ONLINE AND ON NHTSA WEBSITE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND BMW SHOULD ADDRESS IT RIGHT AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326815

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE TWO FLAT FRONT TIRES, BUT THEY ARE OF PROPER INFLATION. STEERING PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WITH NO CENTER FEEL. FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING AN OLD TRUCK WITH LOOSE STEERING LINKAGE. UNSETTLING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR CURVY ROADS. SENSORS ALERT ON THE DASH: PEDESTRIAN WARNING, STABILITY CONTROL, AND OTHERS. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, AND DEALER LOOKED AT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, AND DID AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH RESOLVED FOR TWO MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11309778

STEERING BECAME NOTCHY AND FELT LIKE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MPH. IT ALSO FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHILE ON CITY STREETS DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT BMW OF LAS VEGAS. I READ ONLINE WHERE MANY OTHER I3 OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. MANY HAVE REPORTED THAT THE ISSUE MAY BE SOFTWARE RELATED AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE AS IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND SHUTTING OFF THE CAR CAN RESET IT GIVING A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI 11307955