Home · 2015 BMW I3 · Complaints

What 47 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW I3

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (47)Crash / fire / injury (2)Steering (15)Airbags (7)Body & structure (7)Electrical system (6)Speed control (6)Transmission & drivetrain (4)Engine (3)Fuel system (3)Seat belts (2)Brakes (1)

7 of 47 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters

Oct 22, 2025Body & structure

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

Jul 15, 2025Body & structure

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

NHTSA ODI 11673642

Aug 19, 2023Body & structure

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

Aug 19, 2023Body & structure

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

Aug 19, 2023Body & structure

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

Aug 18, 2023Body & structure

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

Aug 17, 2023Body & structure

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

Working with the data? Download all 47 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 BMW I3 verdict →