How common are steering complaints on the 2015 BMW i3?

NHTSA has logged 15 steering complaints for the 2015 i3, accounting for 32% of the 47 total complaints filed for that year, the highest share of any i3 model year.

Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2015 BMW i3?

No. NHTSA lists no related recall tied to the steering complaints reported for the 2015 i3.

At what mileage do 2015 i3 steering problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 30,000 miles.

Do the 2015 i3 steering issues cause crashes?

NHTSA records zero crashes, fires, or injuries tied to the steering complaints for the 2015 i3, though several owners describe brief loss of control.

What does the steering failure feel like on the 2015 i3?

Owners describe steering that suddenly becomes heavy, notchy, or off-center, with the car pulling to one side, often clearing temporarily after the car is restarted.

2015 BMW i3 Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 15 steering complaints for the 2015 BMW i3, which is 32% of all complaints filed for that model year and the highest share among i3 model years. No related recall exists. Median mileage at failure is 30,000 miles.

Steering complaints: 15; 32% of 47
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 30,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

Steering suddenly turns heavy, notchy, or stiff and resists returning to center, sometimes described as an intermittent power-steering assist failure.
Power steering assist appears to float or cut in and out, especially during straight-line driving, making the car pull left or right without warning.
Vehicle pulls to one side even though tires are properly inflated, with owners initially mistaking it for a flat tire.
Problem often clears temporarily after parking, powering off, and restarting the vehicle, or after letting it sit overnight.
In one case the loss of steering assist at low speed caused the car to drift toward oncoming traffic before the driver forced it back with manual effort.
Owners report the issue is hard for dealers to reproduce or diagnose because it comes and goes intermittently.

When 2015 BMW i3 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 7, 2018, latest Jul 29, 2021.

15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to Jul 2021; peak Jun 2019 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2015 BMW i3

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by i3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20147 (13%)
201515 (32%)
20168 (24%)
201711 (21%)
20183 (21%)
20194 (31%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering complaints on the 2015 BMW i3?: NHTSA has logged 15 steering complaints for the 2015 i3, accounting for 32% of the 47 total complaints filed for that year, the highest share of any i3 model year.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2015 BMW i3?: No. NHTSA lists no related recall tied to the steering complaints reported for the 2015 i3.
At what mileage do 2015 i3 steering problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 30,000 miles.
Do the 2015 i3 steering issues cause crashes?: NHTSA records zero crashes, fires, or injuries tied to the steering complaints for the 2015 i3, though several owners describe brief loss of control.
What does the steering failure feel like on the 2015 i3?: Owners describe steering that suddenly becomes heavy, notchy, or off-center, with the car pulling to one side, often clearing temporarily after the car is restarted.