repaired · 2019 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
2015 BMW I3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 2015 BMW I3, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-628 the manufacturer reports only 93% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 10, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2015 BMW I3 has problems
47 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Steering
7Air bags
7Structure
6Vehicle speed control
6Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
4Power train
3Engine
2Seat belts
2Fuel/propulsion system
77 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 15 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 2 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 7 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2015 BMW I3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2015 vs. every other I3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the I3 median. How we score
'14'15'16'17'18'19'21
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2015 BMW I3 safety ratings
2015 BMW I3 5 HB RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2015 BMW I3, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
In owners' words
What I3 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Power steering malfunctioned causing steering to be very stiff. This happened whenever the car exceeded about 25 MPH, and returned to normal at low speeds. The car wanted to veer out of the lane and required force to keep it in the lane. After turning the car off and back on, the car steering…
STEERING BECOMES LOPSIDED, IT'S LOOSE TO TURN ONE WAY, AND HARD TO TURN THE OTHER WAY, AS IF ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES IS FLAT. THE CAR WILL TEND TO VEER LEFT OR RIGHT, AND I HAVE TO PULL HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY AS TO WHETHER IT VEERS LEFT OR…
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE TWO FLAT FRONT TIRES, BUT THEY ARE OF PROPER INFLATION. STEERING PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WITH NO CENTER FEEL. FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING AN OLD TRUCK WITH LOOSE STEERING LINKAGE. UNSETTLING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR CURVY ROADS. SENSORS ALERT ON THE…
Own a 2015 I3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.