YearToAvoid

2016 BMW i3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 i3 years

The 2016 BMW i3 has 33 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls, with a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 4th out of 6 model years. It earns a "Good" rating relative to other i3 years, well ahead of the 2014 and 2017 i3, which are rated "Avoid".

Complaints
33
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
81.5
89 city / 74 hwy

Top 2016 BMW i3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body10 (30%)
  2. Steering8 (24%)
  3. Airbags6 (18%)
  4. Electrical System5 (15%)
  5. Engine4 (12%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
  7. Fuel System2 (6%)
  8. Other2 (6%)
  9. Brakes1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Steering becomes heavy or stiff intermittently at low-to-moderate speeds, sometimes losing center return, often reported on colder days.
  • Airbags reportedly did not deploy during a frontal collision, raising owner concern about occupant protection.
  • Rear hatch glass has shattered near the tail lights, with one owner reporting it happened twice within a year.
  • The range-extender engine has kicked in unexpectedly and caused a sudden speed drop while climbing a hill on the freeway.
  • Stop-and-go cruise control has disengaged repeatedly and applied sudden braking without warning, according to one owner.
  • A dashboard warning for drivetrain and transmission malfunction appeared after charging, despite no prior issues with the car.
2016 BMW i3 complaints: complaints filed per month9May 2016Aug 2019Jun 2020Nov 2021Aug 2023Mar 2025Jun 2026
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to Jun 2026; peak Aug 2023 (9).

2016 BMW i3 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2016 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.

2016 compared with other i3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid8054481.5
2015Caution6047381.5
2016Good4033281.5
2017Avoid100523118
2018Best014376.5

All BMW i3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 BMW i3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016 i3 has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 4th out of 6 model years, earning a "Good" rating relative to other i3 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW i3?
Structure & Body issues account for 30% of complaints, followed by Steering at 24% and Airbags at 18%, per NHTSA data.
Does the 2016 BMW i3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 i3: one for airbag control unit software affecting frontal crash protection, and one for a fuel tank vent line that could rub against a battery cable.
How does the 2016 i3 compare to other model years?
The 2016 i3 has fewer complaints (33) and a lower Complaint Index (40) than the 2014 i3 (54 complaints, index 80) and 2017 i3 (52 complaints, index 100), both rated "Avoid."
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 BMW i3?
The 2016 i3 gets an EPA-rated 81.5 mpg combined (89 city/74 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,325.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.