The most-reported i3 run is WBY1Z4C5XFV (2015 builds) with 6 complaints, 2.7× the typical run. Steering problems make up 21% of reports; 2015 is the worst model year at 2.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for i3 model years 2014–2019.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The BMW i3 has 80 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 14% of every i3 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBY1Z4C5XFV•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z4C54EV•••••• | 2014 | 2 | — | |
| WBY1Z4C56FV•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z4C52GV•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| WBY1Z4C53FV•••••• | 2015 | 1 | — | |
| WBY1Z2C5XEV•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| WBY1Z4C55GV•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z4C5XEV•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z2C57EV•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z2C57FV•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z4C57FV•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WBY1Z4C59EV•••••• | 2014 | — | — |
Each of the other 68 i3 runs has 4 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 27 i3 VINs so far, most often 2016, 2015, 2014 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the BMW i3 the gap between build years is 1.4×: a 2015 car draws 2.7 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.9.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 50 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 32 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 43 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 49 | 23 | 3 |
Heaviest year here is 2015 at 2.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.9.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything BMW i3 owners report: Steering, 39 of 174 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 4 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | — | |
| Engine | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on the BMW i3; the 6 below cover build years 2014 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 17V720000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2014–2018 |
| 17V088000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2014–2017 |
| 15V628000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2014–2015 |
| 19V599000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2019 |
| 18V652000 | Equipment:electrical | 2018 |
| 19V310000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2018 |
17V720000 was opened in 2017 on cars built from 2014: 3 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 174 reports on the BMW i3, 5.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | BMW i3 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 174 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 9 (5.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (0.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The BMW i3 share of that is 174 complaints over 80 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a BMW i3 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 174 NHTSA complaints from 80 i3 runs and 8 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which i3 production run has the most complaints?
WBY1Z4C5XFV, a 2015 build, with 6 complaints. The typical i3 run has 2.2.
Which i3 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2015 is heaviest at 2.7 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.9.
How many i3 complaints involve a crash?
5.2% of 174 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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