2014 BMW I3 Problems and Recalls (54 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2014 BMW I3 is Transmission / driveline (19% of 54 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 54 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2014 BMW I3?

10 of 54 filings named Transmission / driveline (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Steering (7 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 2014 BMW I3

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 10 complaints · 18.5% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 3
Fires 0
Injuries 3
Deaths 0

All BMW I3 years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	10	18.5%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	7	13.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE)	6	11.1%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS)	5	9.3%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS)	5	9.3%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	4	7.4%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	4	7.4%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)	4	7.4%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	3	5.6%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	9	16.7%	0 crashes · 0 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 15V628000 was reported 217 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 17V088000 was reported 17 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 17V720000 was reported 988 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2014-Q4	Owner reports	1
2015-Q1	Owner reports	2
2015-Q2	Owner reports	2
2015-Q3	Owner reports	1
2015-Q4	Owner reports	1
2016-Q1	Owner reports	2
2016-Q2	Owner reports	2
2016-Q3	Owner reports	1
2016-Q4	Owner reports	1
2017-Q1	Owner reports	1
2017-Q4	Owner reports	1
2018-Q1	Owner reports	1
2018-Q2	Owner reports	1
2018-Q4	Owner reports	1
2019-Q1	Owner reports	2
2019-Q3	Owner reports	5
2019-Q4	Owner reports	1
2020-Q2	Owner reports	2
2020-Q3	Owner reports	2
2021-Q1	Owner reports	4
2021-Q3	Owner reports	1
2022-Q1	Owner reports	1
2022-Q2	Owner reports	2
2023-Q1	Owner reports	2
2023-Q2	Owner reports	1
2023-Q3	Owner reports	2
2023-Q4	Owner reports	2
2024-Q1	Owner reports	1
2024-Q2	Owner reports	1
2024-Q3	Owner reports	1
2024-Q4	Owner reports	1
2025-Q3	Owner reports	1
2026-Q1	Owner reports	2
2026-Q2	Owner reports	1
2026-Q3	Owner reports	1
Jul 2014	Recall campaign	1	14V422000
Oct 2015	Recall campaign	1	15V628000
Feb 2017	Recall campaign	1	17V088000
Nov 2017	Recall campaign	1	17V720000
Jan 2023	Defect investigation	1	DP22005

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags and Fuel system.

Recall campaign 14V422000

Airbags

Report date

Jul 14, 2014

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 15V628000

Airbags

Report date

Oct 7, 2015

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

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.

Remedy:

MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 17V088000

Fuel system

Report date

Feb 9, 2017

Component:

Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 17V720000

Airbags

Report date

Nov 16, 2017

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 8 of 54 complaints · page 1 of 3

2026-09-02Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11761765

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The roof of the BMW started delaminating a few years back, and it is compromising the structural integrity of this vehicle. In an attempt to fix the roof, epoxy was applied after it was smoothed down and the roof looked aesthetically pleasing for about a year, until it started delaminating rapidly in the same spots. Now, the roof liner is starting to collapse, telling me that moisture is getting into the vehicle, further damaging the roof.

2026-05-11Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)

NHTSA ODI 11737189

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Sudden unintended deceleration on highway Complete loss of propulsion Thermal warning / overheating Date: May 11, 2026 Mileage: approximately 18,966+ Vehicle: 2014 BMW i3 REx, VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2026-03-31Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11728191

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The contact owns a 2014 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at 49 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal screeching sound and was leaning on the driver's side rear-end. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a rear-end inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown engine mount bracket recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 154,140.

2026-03-02Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11721513

CrashFireInjuryDeath

BMW Service Bulletin SI B22 04 15 to replace motor mount bolts and other components due to failure in 2016 was done on my vehicle in 2016. BMW has replaced all motor mounts in 2014 and 2015 i3's in Europe. The motor mounts were redesigned for 2016 and newer models. From online forums I see that many of the 2014 and 2015 North American i3 motor mounts continue to fail as they have on my BMW i3. I am reporting this failure in order for NHTSA to review this vehicle for a recall on motor mounts for all 2014 and 2015 USA BMW i3's.

2025-08-15Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11680869

CrashFireInjuryDeath

back in march 2025 my 2014 BMW i3 REX gave out a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. The car's propulsion died while driving. I was driving in the street on the way home from picking up my chidren from school when the power completely shut off while driving. I had a full battery charge and also had about 44 miles worth of gas to use. I pull over to the side of the road, turn the car off and tried to turn it back on but it wouldnt move. i was about 1 mile from home and was able to get the car towed home using AAA. The error code disappeared the next day and i kept driving the car it felt as if it the problem went away. Fast forward Augist 1 2025, the car once again shut off while in the middle of the street driving. I could not get it back on and once again had to get it towed. Once home it started back up like nothing wihtin a few hours. A week later on August 8 it did it again but this time i was driving on the freeway. I was soo afraid for my life because the car started to slow down as if it was runing out of gas and barely made it to get onto the side of the road away from traffic. Once again the car got towed home i was 4 miles away from home. These occurences continue to happen more frequently now. With each time the car started the error message reappeared and the propulsion died. This is gettting out of hand and becoming dangerous for me.

2024-10-07Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11618578

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The carbon fiber roof is delaminating and a portion of it came off and hit the front windshield of another car, causing them to partially lose control of their vehicle almost causing an accident. This is a known issue BMW has not taken an action to resolve it. I’m afraid that a larger chunk may hit somebody’s car and cause a severe accident.

2024-09-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11613788

CrashFireInjuryDeath

A large portion of the car's hood (carbon laminate?) has ripped off and is surely to continue to tear and fly off while driving.

2024-06-14Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11594331

CrashFireInjuryDeath

When the vehicle depletes it's battery and switches over to the range extender or the gas engine, the car will suddenly shut off and a drivetrain error appears. This seems to only happen when the car is traveling over 55 mph. This has happened on repeated occasions. If you then leave the car sit for several minutes and then turn it back on, it is driveable as long as it is driven under 55 mph. Since this only happens at higher speeds, it's been extremely dangerous because other cars are also traveling at high speeds and this has happened once on a freeway where the speed limit was 70 mph. If there's no shoulder to guide the car onto when this happens, the car would be disabled on the road because it will not drive again right away. I've taken it in to fix and the mechanic said it was a software update that was needed. However, the problem happened again a few months later. There was no warning before this happened both times it occurred.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2014 BMW I3?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 10 of 54 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2014 BMW I3?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2014 BMW I3?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources