2014 BMW I3

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

The risk

During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.

The remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 32,000 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak.

The risk

A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 19,130 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

The risk

In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

The remedy

MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 6,073 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an air bag inflator that was not assembled correctly. This could cause the air bag to not deploy properly in the event of an accident.

The risk

If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.

The remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 27 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

crash · 16,000 miles

I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A COMMERCIAL BUIDLING. I REMEMBER SLOWING DOWN AS I APPROACHED THE PARKING SPACE. AS THE CAR SLOWED, IT SUDDENLY JERKED AND THEN ACCELERATED CAUSING IT TO GO OVER THE CONCRETE PARKING HEADER AND COLLIDE INTO BUILDING EXTERIOR AND METAL GATE. THE CAR WAS IN SLOW SPEED AS I ENTERED THE SPACE. THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISED AS I COULD SEE MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BY THE TIME I COULD APPLY THE BREAKS, THE CAR HAD ALREADY HIT THE BUILDING WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO STOP MOVING. THE DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS APPROXIMATELY 12-15 FEET.

NHTSA complaint 10876037. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 23,300 miles

I WENT TO LEAVE WORK. UPON TURNING THE CAR ON I NOTICED 3 WARNINGS APPEAR WHICH REQUIRED ME TO READ THEM AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. THEY WERE ALL RELATED TO THE AUTO BRAKING/PEDESTRIAN WARNING SYSTEM. DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING STRANGE. I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SLIGHTLY COUNTERCLOCKWISE VERSUS NORMAL WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE CAR WAS RESPONDING STRANGE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE HIT A DIP OR RISE IN THE ROAD. THE REAR END FELT "LOOSER" THAN NORMAL. WHEN I GOT HOME I PARKED IT AND CALLED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER. THEY ARRANGED FOR A TOW. ONCE THE CAR GOT THERE THEY PUT IT UP ON A LIFT, THEY CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR "CONTROL ARM" (CASTER LINK) WAS BROKEN INTO …

NHTSA complaint 11151792, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Sudden unintended deceleration on highway Complete loss of propulsion Thermal warning / overheating Date: May 11, 2026 Mileage: approximately 18,966+ Vehicle: 2014 BMW i3 REx, VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11737189. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

154,140 miles

The contact owns a 2014 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at 49 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal screeching sound and was leaning on the driver's side rear-end. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a rear-end inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown engine mount bracket recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 154,140.

NHTSA complaint 11728191. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BMW Service Bulletin SI B22 04 15 to replace motor mount bolts and other components due to failure in 2016 was done on my vehicle in 2016. BMW has replaced all motor mounts in 2014 and 2015 i3's in Europe. The motor mounts were redesigned for 2016 and newer models. From online forums I see that many of the 2014 and 2015 North American i3 motor mounts continue to fail as they have on my BMW i3. I am reporting this failure in order for NHTSA to review this vehicle for a recall on motor mounts for all 2014 and 2015 USA BMW i3's.

NHTSA complaint 11721513. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

back in march 2025 my 2014 BMW i3 REX gave out a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. The car's propulsion died while driving. I was driving in the street on the way home from picking up my chidren from school when the power completely shut off while driving. I had a full battery charge and also had about 44 miles worth of gas to use. I pull over to the side of the road, turn the car off and tried to turn it back on but it wouldnt move. i was about 1 mile from home and was able to get the car towed home using AAA. The error code disappeared the next day and i kept driving the car it felt as if it the problem went away. Fast forward Augist 1 2025, the car once again shut off while in the middle …

NHTSA complaint 11680869, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The carbon fiber roof is delaminating and a portion of it came off and hit the front windshield of another car, causing them to partially lose control of their vehicle almost causing an accident. This is a known issue BMW has not taken an action to resolve it. I’m afraid that a larger chunk may hit somebody’s car and cause a severe accident.

NHTSA complaint 11618578. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

A large portion of the car's hood (carbon laminate?) has ripped off and is surely to continue to tear and fly off while driving.

NHTSA complaint 11613788. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.