YearToAvoid

2018 BMW i3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#6 most-complained of 6 i3 years

The 2018 BMW i3 ranks best (6 of 6) among i3 model years, with 14 complaints, a Complaint Index of 0, and 3 recalls. Engine, Fuel System, Steering, and Structure & Body each account for 3 complaints (21% share).

Complaints
14
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
76.5
82.5 city / 69.5 hwy

Top 2018 BMW i3 problems

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

  1. Engine3 (21%)
  2. Fuel System3 (21%)
  3. Steering3 (21%)
  4. Structure & Body3 (21%)
  5. Airbags1 (7%)
  6. Electrical System1 (7%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Steering wheel pulls to one side and becomes heavy or hard to turn, reported around 6,500 miles.
  • Power steering intermittently drops out while driving, sometimes right after starting the vehicle or while merging onto a highway.
  • Rear tire suffers a sudden blowout at highway speed, reported around 26,000 miles.
  • Drivetrain error message appears on the dashboard and the car stops running shortly after leaving a charging station.
  • Cruise control disengages without warning, causing sudden deceleration during city and highway driving, reported around 17,000 miles.
  • Carbon fiber roof panel shows yellowing, bubbling, or delamination of the clear epoxy coating.
2018 BMW i3 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2019Oct 2020Feb 2022Jun 2022Jul 2023Apr 2024Aug 2024
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2019 to Jun 2026; peak May 2022 (3).

2018 BMW i3 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V310000Apr 17, 2019Fuel System159 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.

    Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 18V652000Sep 20, 2018Other3,501 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.

    Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. 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.

2018 BMW i3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
82.5 MPG
Highway
69.5 MPG
Combined
76.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,475
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium Gas or 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.

2018 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
2016Good4033281.5
2017Avoid100523118
2018Best014376.5
2019Best2013172

All BMW i3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 BMW i3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 i3 ranks best (6 of 6) among i3 model years, with only 14 complaints and a Complaint Index of 0.
What problems does the 2018 BMW i3 have?
NHTSA data shows Engine, Fuel System, Steering, and Structure & Body issues each make up 21% of complaints, including steering that pulls or loses power assist, and roof panel delamination.
Does the 2018 BMW i3 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: an Electric Motor Electronics module fuel system issue, a charging cable inspection, and an airbag control unit software update, none marked do-not-drive.
What year BMW i3 should I avoid?
Among i3 years with data, 2017 and 2014 are ranked Avoid with Complaint Index values of 100 and 80, while 2018 and 2019 rank as Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 BMW i3?
The EPA rates the 2018 i3 at 76.5 mpg combined (82.5 city / 69.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,475.

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.