2019 Bmw I3: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11390882 · 2021-01-31 (January 31, 2021)
LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE, MAKING CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THINKING I HAD A FLAT TIRE, I TURNED AROUND AND RETURNED HOME. SHUT DOWN THE CAR, CHECKED THE TIRES (THEY WERE FINE), RESTARTED IT, AND POWER STEERING RETURNED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A FEW DAYS.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425977 · 2021-07-22 (July 22, 2021)
On July 4, 2021, I realized that the charge port on my BMW i3 would not accept a charge plug - it appeared to be blocked. I took the car to the dealer and they informed me that the charge port had been damaged (melted) by heat from a defective charger. In addition to public charging, I had typically been using a home charger - a MUSTART Level 2 40-amp charge cable purchased from Amazon on February 4, 2019. The BMW technician requested to see the cable and it was confirmed to be damaged also. BMW attributed this incident to the charger rather th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590720 · 2024-05-25 (May 25, 2024)
Paint bubbling concerns on carbon fiber roof of i3.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590720 at NHTSA ↗
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 11638411 · 2025-01-24 (January 24, 2025)
The range extender did not turn on while I was driving the car. When the range extender failed to work the car slowed down from 70+ mph to as low as 7 mph in minutes. The car then limped along for several minutes at this dangerously slow speed until the range extender turned on. Once the range extender began working, the car took off like a rocket, going from 7 mph to 70 in seconds. There are no warning lights or indicators in the car that show if the range extender is going to turn on or if it will fail to turn on. This has happened four times…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638411 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V599000 · Hybrid Propulsion System | Electrical System
Reported: 2019-08-14 (August 14, 2019)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.
Consequence: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗