2017 Bmw I3 Safety Report
2017 BMW i3 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Bmw I3
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Bmw I3. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (46) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Steering | Compare steering issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Bmw I3 with 32 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Bmw I3 before buying across this generation. |
Bmw I3 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Bmw I3 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Bmw I3 | 32 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Bmw I3 | 46 | 3 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
2017 Bmw I3 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Bmw I3, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Steering
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Bmw onlyUnknown Or Other
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Bmw onlyStructure
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Bmw onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Bmw onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Bmw onlyAir Bags,Seat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seat Belts issues Bmw onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Bmw I3
Reliability Score
The 2017 Bmw I3 receives a reliability score of 75 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2017 Bmw I3
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Bmw I3:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Delamination The carbon fiber roof is delaminating, posing a risk of pieces flying off, especially in accidents. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Recalls Recalls for air bags have been issued, with concerns about proper deployment in accidents. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Faults There are reports of electrical faults, including smoke from door handles and comfort access function issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Issues Some models have experienced grinding noises from the transmission, though this is less severe. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Bmw I3:
30% of reported issues involve the roof, with delamination and bubbling being the most common.
20% of reported issues are related to air bags, with recalls and deployment concerns.
15% of reported issues involve electrical system faults, including door handle and comfort access issues.
10% of reported issues are related to the power train, with transmission noise being the most common.
Recall Details for the 2017 Bmw I3
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Bmw I3 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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."
Consequence: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- ...
Consequence: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Bmw I3
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Bmw I3 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
The roof is delaminating causing a danger to my vehicle and others
Summary On September 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 BMW i3 REX was involved in a severe frontal collision with a Gas Company Utility Vehicle. The impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. The passenger reports seatbelt failure with excessive slack, leading to partial ejection from the seat, mid-thigh restraint, an...
The carbon fiber roof is bubbling and disintegrating. I have one section behind the passenger door that is the size of my FULL hand that is in a circle shape where the roof is scaling and peeling. Each day that passes, the known spot is getting bigger and bigger. It's embarrassing to see this happening to my car and makes my care look worthless. Definite eye sore. I currently have the (1) i3 EV ...
The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper fluid failed to function as intended. 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 contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that there were discolored bubbles developing on the roof of the vehicle. The roof of the vehicle was delaminating. Upon further inspection, the contact found out that the hot climate and UV rays and the composite structure might be the factors causing the failure. The vehicle was taken to a body shop. The contact was informed that the carbon fibe...
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. Our understanding is, this is a known problem with the circuit board having corrosion and creating a short, but no recall exists.
Carbon fiber Roof delaminate and risk of flying off
The rear window shattered for no apparent reason. I was directly next to the vehicle with the tailgate closed when I witnessed happened without any probable cause. Please advise. Thank you.
This has happened twice: I was driving on the expressway and didn’t hear anything hitting my little sunroof, just suddenly noise from that general area. When I pulled over I saw that the sunroof had cracked and the largest part(s) was missing.
Pieces of my roof flew off.
The vehicle has just over 35000 miles of light normal use as a second family vehicle. 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. The bearings were qu...
A BMW i3 caught fire in our garage. Maintenance on the car had been performed the day prior and it was found that the mechanic left the oil cap off. It took less than 7 minutes from the time the car started smoking to the point where the entire home was engulfed in flames. The fire department was onsite a couple of minutes after the car started smoking. It took 4 fire departments approximately ...
Message saying driver restraint failure, air bags may not deploy properly. Random event, has been an issue with bmw i3 models.
I'm writing this in anticipation of my carbon-fiber roof failing, though it has not yet. It is showing standard early signs, consisting of blistering of the clear coat, which appears to be directly over the fiberglass composite roof surface proper. I keep it covered, and that probably has much to do with the blistering not advancing noticeably in recent times.
Roof is bubbling, wrinkling, and looks like it is de-laminating
Carbon roof delaminating due to lack of UV protection. Parts of i3 roofs dethatching at highway speeds.
The roof of my car is delaminating. It's discoloring and developing bubbles. I looked online and found this is a common issue with the vehicle. I believe this may be a structural concern considering the cars body is composite and the roof contributes to the structural integrity of the vehicle. Not to mention the danger to others on the freeway from large chunks of roof blowing off and hitting vehi...
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? There seems to be a series of faulty electrical/wiring issues happening with our 2017 BMW i3, most notably including the passenger seat/airbag registering system and control panel/console lighting. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at ...
Clear coat on the roof is bubbling and peeling. Could potentially come off as a large sheet and fly off hitting another vehicle or obstructing their view.
In extreme heat (119 temp outside) BMW charger was plugged into port and melted. Could have caused a fire.
Showing 20 of 46 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Bmw I3
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
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-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Bmw I3
Has the 2017 BMW I3 been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 BMW I3 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 BMW I3 have?
The 2017 BMW I3 has 46 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 BMW I3?
The 2017 BMW I3 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW I3?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 BMW I3 involve steering (9 complaints), unknown or other (8 complaints), structure (7 complaints). Other affected components include power train, air bags, air bags,seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2017 BMW I3 have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2017 BMW I3 out of 46 total complaints (4.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 BMW I3 have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2017 BMW I3 out of 46 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 BMW I3?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 BMW I3.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 BMW I3?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 BMW I3. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 BMW I3?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 BMW I3 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 46 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 BMW I3?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 BMW I3 are: 1. STEERING (9 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (7 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), 5. AIR BAGS (2 complaints). STEERING is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 BMW I3?
Be cautious of roof delamination and air bag recalls. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial. The 2017 BMW I3 has 46 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2017 BMW I3?
The 2017 BMW I3 receives a reliability score of 75/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 46 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Roof Delamination and Air Bag Recalls.
What are the known issues with the 2017 BMW I3?
Known issues with the 2017 BMW I3 include: Roof Delamination, Air Bag Recalls, Electrical System Faults, Power Train Issues. These are based on patterns found across 46 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 BMW i3?
Yes, there are recalls for air bags and fuel system issues.
What are the most common roof issues reported?
Roof delamination and bubbling are the most common issues reported.
Are there any electrical system issues with the 2017 BMW i3?
Yes, there are reports of electrical faults, including smoke from door handles.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of roof delamination and air bag recalls. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Bmw I3
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Bmw I3. The data includes 46 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13