CarRecallWatchThe 2016 BMW I3 has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Structure (10 reports).
2016 BMW I3 recalls
Front airbag may raise neck injury risk for unbelted drivers
BMW is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles because the driver's frontal air bag system does not fully meet federal occupant crash protection requirements (FMVSS 208).
Fuel vent line can chafe and leak vapor, risking fire
A fuel tank vent line can rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable.
Most common 2016 BMW I3 problems
Problem areas named in the 33 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Structure | 10 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
What owners report
Driver airbag warning light illuminated. Vehicle was diagnosed at BMW of Sherman Oaks (RO# 176741) and confirmed as a faulty driver airbag module - part# 32-30-6-870-366. BMW technician found fault code 930904: Driver's airbag interval stage 1, resistance too high stored. BMW NA declined goodwill repair assistance despite the failure occurring within 20 days of warranty expiration. This is a safety-critical federally mandated system. Multiple BMW i3 owners in online communities report the same issue and reference TSB SI B65 18 16 as a known defect related to a cable being too short. I believe this may be a widespread defect affecting 2014-2018 BMW i3 vehicles that warrants investigation.
While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0â1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage at all. This has occurred repeatedly and creates a serious risk of being stranded or hit while merging or driving on public roads. BMW has inspected the vehicle twice (07 Nov 2025 and 13 Jan 2026) and confirmed the loss of propulsion and need to pull over but classified the behavior as ânormalâ
Faulty airbag warning
The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filler had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The roof has bubbled and peeled away leaving an exposed permeable roof, meaning if it rains, water will get into the car because of the roof material being not safe, not strong, peeling away. Just terrible! Looking online, so many people with i3s ha e all had the same issue!
2016 BMW I3 questions
Does the 2016 BMW I3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 BMW I3: Front airbag may raise neck injury risk for unbelted drivers; Fuel vent line can chafe and leak vapor, risking fire. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW I3?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Structure (10), Steering (8), Air Bags (6).
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 BMW I3 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.