2017 BMW i3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 i3 years
The 2017 BMW i3 has a complaint index of 100, the worst among the 6 model years with data, and ranks 1st worst overall. It shows 52 complaints, 3 recalls, 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other i3 years.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 118
- 129 city / 106 hwy
Top 2017 BMW i3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body13 (25%)
- Other12 (23%)
- Steering11 (21%)
- Electrical System7 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (12%)
- Airbags3 (6%)
- Brakes3 (6%)
- Engine3 (6%)
- Fuel System3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
What owners report
- Steering intermittently becomes heavy and hard to turn, sometimes described as software-related, with the problem clearing after restarting the car.
- A right rear suspension control arm reportedly snapped from steel fracture during gentle acceleration from a stop, making the vehicle difficult to steer.
- Owners report the drivetrain suddenly stopped while driving with a malfunction message directing them to call roadside assistance.
- One owner reported the vehicle steered independently into oncoming traffic while stopped, resulting in a crash where airbags did not deploy.
- Power steering reportedly loses assist when pulling away from a stop or accelerating at low speed, causing the car to pull heavily to one side.
- The front windshield was described as having irregular glass causing visual distortion of the road and other vehicles, both stopped and in motion.
2017 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 16V914000Dec 20, 2016Airbags3,506 vehicles
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2017 BMW i3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 129 MPG
- Highway
- 106 MPG
- Combined
- 118 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $650
- 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.
2017 compared with other i3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 BMW i3 reliable?
- Relative to other i3 model years, the 2017 i3 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 of 6 years with data. NHTSA lists 52 complaints, 3 recalls, 2 crashes, and 1 fire for this year.
- What problems does the 2017 BMW i3 have?
- The top problem area is Structure & Body, with 13 complaints (25% share). Steering follows with 11 complaints (21% share) and Electrical System with 7 complaints (13% share).
- Does the 2017 BMW i3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 i3, covering airbags (two separate campaigns) and the fuel system, including a fuel tank vent line that could rub against a battery cable sleeve.
- What year i3 should I avoid instead of 2017?
- Based on complaint index, 2017 (100) and 2014 (80) rank worst among i3 years with data, while 2018 and 2019 rank Best with complaint indexes of 0 and 20.
- At what mileage do 2017 i3 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints for the 2017 i3 is 10,650 miles, though this varies by problem area, e.g. Structure & Body issues median 32,000 miles and Brakes issues median 5,000 miles.