2015 Bmw I3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 47 complaints (31.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 15 | 31.9% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 10.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 10.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 15 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Steering: 15; Air Bags: 7; Structure:Body: 7; Electrical System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Power Train: 4; Engine: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 5; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 9; 2020: 7; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 7; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11118210 · 2018-08-07 (August 7, 2018)
I AM REPORTING A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET, GOING STRAIGHT. WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENED, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT NOTICEABLY BY ITSELF AND IT TOOK FORCE BY HAND TO CORRECT IT SO THE CAR COULD GO STRAIGHT. THIS CREATED A SAFETY RISK CONCERN TO THE DRIVER. I FEEL THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS LIKELY ARE THE STEERING WHEEL AND ELECTRONICS SYSTEM. BELOW IS A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION: IN MARCH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT SLIGHTLY BY ITSELF AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THIS POS…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,779 miles reported. Look up ODI 11118210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119421 · 2018-08-12 (August 12, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING, STEERING BECAME HEAVY, NOTCHY. IT WOULD NOT CENTER ITSELF; FOR EXAMPLE, AROUND A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STAY IN THE DIRECTION I TURNED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS! IT SEEMS THERE IS A BUG IN THE SOFTWARE. BMW CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SEVERAL FORMS HAVE BEEN CREATED OVER THIS PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10839234 · 2016-03-01 (March 1, 2016)
THE ACC (ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL) SURPRISINGLY STOPS WORKING WHEN FACING A BRIGHT SUN. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN, BUT IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS IF SOMEONE IS BEHIND ME. WHEN THE SUN HITS THE CAMERA, THE ACC SHUTS DOWN (WITH A WARNING ON THE SCREEN) AND THE REGEN BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN MUCH MORE THAN COASTING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON, BUT IF A CAR IS FOLLOWING AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS DO NOT SUGGEST THAT OUR CAR SHOULD BE BRAKING, THE CAR COUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10839234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10886033 · 2016-07-20 (July 20, 2016)
I TURNED ON THE CAR, OPENED THE GATE AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE LIGHTLY AND THE CAR FLEW OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HIT THE GATE, FLEW OUT INTO THE STREET AND HIT A PARKED CAR. DURING THIS TIME, THE CAR BRAKES NEVER WORKED. IT WAS AS IF THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10886033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10817494 · 2016-01-04 (January 4, 2016)
2015 BMW I3 WITH RANGE EXTENDER (REX) JUST HIT 1000 MILES. HAD FOR 6 WEEKS. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A FREEWAY AT 75 MPH USING MY ELECTRIC CAR. AS THE BATTERY WAS ALMOST OUT OF JUICE, I KNEW THE FUEL RANGE EXTENDER WOULD KICK IN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE EXTENDER KICKED IN, MY MPH IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO DROP. WITHIN THE 15 SECONDS, I WAS DOWN TO 35 MPH FROM THE 75 I WAS TRAVELING. I HAD THE ACCELERATOR FLOORED, BUT COULD NOT GET ANY POWER TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS TURNED ON. MY CAR AND I SAFELY NAVIGATED TO THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10817494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11033750 · 2017-11-15 (November 15, 2017)
2015 BMW I3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RANGE EXTENDER SAFETY RECALL. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS AND 2 LIGHTWEIGHT TIRES THAT HAVE RUPTURED EASILY. UPDATED 11/15/2017*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE WOULD RAPIDLY LOSE IT'S CHARGE. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11033750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307955 · 2020-02-08 (February 8, 2020)
STEERING BECAME NOTCHY AND FELT LIKE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MPH. IT ALSO FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHILE ON CITY STREETS DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT BMW OF LAS VEGAS. I READ ONLINE WHERE MANY OTHER I3 OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. MANY HAVE REPORTED THAT THE ISSUE MAY BE SOFTWARE RELATED AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE AS IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND SHUTTING OFF THE CAR CAN RESET IT GIVING A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS.
Owner-reported narrative. 31,719 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488682 · 2022-10-10 (October 10, 2022)
I was driving uphill on a winding, narrow highway, California State Route 18, when the range extender kicked in and I had a sudden loss of power. I could not maintain vehicle speed. It was terrifying. I was alone. I didn't know what to do. I turned on my hazard lights and I pulled over every time vehicles came up behind me.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488682 at NHTSA ↗