2015 BMW i3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#3 most-complained of 6 i3 years
The 2015 BMW i3 has 47 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 60, ranking 3rd worst of 6 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Steering issues dominate at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 47
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 81.5
- 89 city / 74 hwy
Top 2015 BMW i3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering15 (32%)
- Engine8 (17%)
- Structure & Body8 (17%)
- Airbags7 (15%)
- Electrical System6 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (9%)
- Fuel System3 (6%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Other2 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
What owners report
- Power steering intermittently loses assist or fails to center, with the wheel staying turned after a corner even after the driver straightens out.
- Steering feedback "floats" between engaged and disengaged states, making hard turns work but straight driving inconsistent.
- Charging port overheated and melted during charging, triggering a fire with no clear diagnosis reported.
- Range extender engine loses power and cannot maintain highway speed, especially in rain or on hills, dropping speed by around 20 mph.
- Active cruise control shuts off unexpectedly when the camera faces bright sun, triggering hard regenerative braking at highway speed.
- Charging cable fails to unlock from the car due to a bad actuator and software bug, paired with a corroded fuel pressure sensor on the range extender.
2015 BMW i3 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V720000Nov 16, 2017Airbags32,000 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V088000Feb 9, 2017Fuel System19,130 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 15V628000Oct 7, 2015Airbags6,073 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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 properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: 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.
2015 BMW i3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 89 MPG
- Highway
- 74 MPG
- Combined
- 81.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other i3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW i3 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 47 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2015 i3, giving it a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among the 6 model years with data.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 BMW i3?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 15 of 47 complaints (32%), with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 BMW i3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 i3, covering airbags (two separate campaigns) and the fuel tank vent line rubbing against a battery cable sleeve.
- How does the 2015 i3 compare to other model years?
- The 2015 i3 (complaint index 60) is better than 2014 (80, Avoid) and 2017 (100, Avoid), but worse than 2016 (40, Good), 2018 (0, Best), and 2019 (20, Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 BMW i3?
- EPA rates the 2015 i3 at 81.5 mpg combined (89 city / 74 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,325.