AI Damage2017 BMW I3: common problems
Owners of the 2017 BMW I3 filed 53 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and steering. The maker issued 43 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 53
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 43
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 23% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Structure: 12 complaints (23% of all).
- Steering: 11 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Air bags: 3 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- 0.6 L · plug-in hybrid · 2 cyl
- automatic, 1-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 53 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 17 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The passenger reports seatbelt failure with excessive slack, leading to partial ejection from the seat, mid-thigh restraint, and collision with the steering wheel. The head lodged under the steering column, resulting in loss of consciousness and a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with ongoing neurological issues.
The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact suffered a headache and injuries to his back and neck area. The contact did not receive medical attention at the scene. The police was called; however, the contact never received a police report.
The rear backup camera view in the screen is completely overridden in reverse, by a tire pressure warning when a tire is low or there is another TPMS fault. It requires using the rotary dial to clear the message before the function of the backup camera is restored.
My 2017 i3 has a deteriorating roof. The roof, which is made of carbon fiber, is peeling and pieces are breaking off. This has also led to the interior upholstery of my roof to peel and sag. I am worried moisture will be let into my car, creating a mold issue.
On May 30, 2026, I was driving on the NJ Turnpike with high winds and I heard loud sounds like hard rain on the roof of my BMW i3. I saw sheets flying off the roof. When I parked the car, the clear coat covering the roof had delaminated, exposing the carbon fiber.
The contact's husband checked the windshield wiper reservoir; the hose had rodent teeth marks, and part of the tubing was missing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the failure persisted.
There was an electrical fault in the door handle, specifically for the comfort access function circuit inside the handle itself. There was smoke and extreme heat. Luckily no fire started, before the battery was disconnected.
It developed a loud grinding noise from the etransmission that quickly progressed to a vibration. It was taken to BMW Seattle where it was diagnosed as a known issue of the main transmission bearings disintegrating due to the effect of the permanent magnet motors on the metal roller bearings.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 847 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 40% most complained about).
On average one model year of the I3 has 12 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 53, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has…
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
- the High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific)…
the High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as…
- The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific)…
The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as…
- For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and/or…
For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This…
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few…
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important…
- The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain…
The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2…
- The quick disconnect coupling on the cylinder head coolant vent line could break at the cylinder head
This would lead to loss of coolant from the engine.
- For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the…
For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
- Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents)
- Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vent)
The following fault code is saved in the IHKA (integrated automatic heating/air conditioning system) control unit: 801189 - Engine mixed air right: Initialization fault.
- TELEMATICS UNIT DEACTIVATION DUE TO 3G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY DISCONTINUATION
The discontinuation of 3G cellular communication for Combox, TCB 3G and ATM 3G (Telematics ControlModule) can no longer be supported by the cellular network provider starting February 2022.
- DELIVERY STOP
CHARGING CABLE (NON-TURBOCORD VERSION): BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective May 3, 2021) on a small number of Model Year 2021 BMW i3 vehicles that were produced between March 1, 2021 and April 26, 2021. The…
NHTSA lists 43 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW I3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 53. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), windows, sunroof (8%), steering or power steering problems (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 BMW I3?
NHTSA lists 43 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 BMW I3 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.