2019 Bmw I3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
6,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 13 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 46.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Electrical System: 6; Steering: 4; Power Train: 3; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Hybrid Propulsion System: 1; Seat Belts: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11614361 · 2024-09-13 (September 13, 2024)
The 12V battery and EME module failed/malfunctioned on Sep 10, 2024. The original 12V battery was replaced by BMW of Wesley Chapel after it was towed by BMW roadside assistance. They should have it and the EME model for inspection upon request depending on their disposal procedures for the battery. My safety was put at risk due to the fact that the EME could shut down electrical power, lead to a loss of propulsion, and increase the risk of a crash. There was a recall for this component for my year make and model but my VIN was not included but …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11614361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11629361 · 2024-12-06 (December 6, 2024)
The drivetrain system malfunctioned while increasing from 60 MPH to 70 MPH. The vehicle lost all propulsion mid-journey. This put myself as well as other drivers around me at risk while I coasted to a stop on the freeway. The vehicle's warning system stated: “Drivetrain Malfunction: Stop carefully and turn off engine. Do not continue driving. Call Roadside Assistance.” There are error codes that were considered by the manufacturer's nearest service center. And while certain reduction in efficiency of the High Voltage battery were identified, t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11629361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11290836 · 2019-12-23 (December 23, 2019)
STEERING HAS BEEN NORMAL UNTIL NOW. SUDDENLY ON TWO OCCASIONS AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT IT WAS HARD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. STEERING FELT AS IF TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. PRESSURE WAS NOT LOW. THIS IS FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON INTERNET SEARCHES. HAVE NOT DRIVEN I3 AGAIN SINCE INCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11290836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11354047 · 2020-09-09 (September 9, 2020)
ON THE WAY BACK HOME FROM WORK, STEERING FELT QUITE HEAVY AND IT KEPT PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. DRIVING BACK HOME ON FREEWAY FELT VERY UNSAFE AS IT WAS QUITE UNSTEADY AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 30MPH
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11646562 · 2025-03-05 (March 5, 2025)
The contact owns a 2019 BMW I3. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic on a bridge, the vehicle stalled, and independently shifted to park(P). The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The Police arrived on the scene and directed traffic around the vehicle until a tow truck arrived to take the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) module had failed and short circuited the safety box inside of the high voltage battery and needed to be…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11646562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11671462 · 2025-07-06 (July 6, 2025)
We were sitting at a traffic light for a few minutes behind another vehicle. Suddenly, our car accelerated very quickly. My foot was on the brake when the car accelerated. I felt the brake pedal depress further as it accelerated. I initially thought a car had hit us from behind and propelled us forward, but there was no car behind us. We were moving as though we had just started a drag race - full acceleration - and the brakes did not respond. We crashed into the car in front of us at full acceleration despite me pumping the brakes at least twi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11671462 at NHTSA ↗