2016 Bmw I3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
20,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 33 complaints (30.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 27.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 12.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Structure:Body: 10; Steering: 8; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 5; Power Train: 3; Engine: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 17 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 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 4; 2023: 11; 2024: 1; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 11243170 · 2019-08-12 (August 12, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD SPEED ABOUT 40-50 MPH, STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND VERY HARD TO TURN. THE WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO CENTER. IT HAPPENED RANDOMLY AND CAN'T BE REPRODUCE EASILY. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST W MONTHS. I FEEL IT VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE ROAD. IT FIXED ITSELF THE NEXT MORNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11243170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252950 · 2019-09-03 (September 3, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW I3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, BOTH WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW NORTHWEST (4011 20TH ST E, TACOMA, WA 98424, [phone removed]); HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. AFTER ANOTHER TWO WEEKS, A REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER FROM THE MANUFACTURER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT A SOFTWARE REPAIR WAS NEEDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513467 · 2023-03-23 (March 23, 2023)
Loses power "without warning"; actually, when the REX turns on it automatically mentions that power "could be" lost when the REX turns on. However, that is very understated. In fact, there is nowhere in the owner's manual that raises this issue; doesn't even mention that there could or would be a "warning" if battery is low and REX is being used. Bottom line: The REX cannot keep up with driving. Please refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmn58reGv8k The above is identical to my experience. Especially VERY DANGEROUS when on the inte…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539172 · 2023-08-17 (August 17, 2023)
My bmw i3 has a faulty wiring harness or some other defect that is causing my car to turn off the airbag system. This is a chronic issue with bmw i3’s. Either the wiring harness is bad or the airbag becomes too stiff and the car deactivated the entire airbag system. Dangerous!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11031969 · 2017-10-05 (October 5, 2017)
I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING AT AROUND 9:15 AM PREPARING TO PARK BMW I3 ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN TO THE GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BUT NOTICE THAT BRAKE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, MEANING THERE WAS NO FEELING OF VEHICLE WAS IN A LOCK POSITION DUE TO THE BRAKE BEING PRESSURED ON THE WHEEL. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE WENT ACCELERATING OR "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR THAT WAS ONLY HALF WAY UP AND WAS STI…
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 11031969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11056791 · 2017-12-27 (December 27, 2017)
THE "STOP AND GO" CRUISE CONTROL HAS DISENGAGED OVER 100 TIMES AND HAS SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON 5 TIMES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE SHOWN BMW OVER 50 PHOTOS AND 3 VIDEOS OF THIS AND THEY FIND EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE WHEN USING THIS CRUISE CONTROL. BMW ALSO REFUSES TO TAKE THE CAR BACK.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11056791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11306969 · 2020-02-04 (February 4, 2020)
STARTED THE CAR AFTER CHARGING IT OVERNIGHT AND "DRIVETRAIN: STOP CAREFULLY" AND "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FINE BEFORE THIS.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11306969 at NHTSA ↗