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2017 BMW i3

ElectricPlug-in hybrid
Subcompact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA51
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
EV rangebest configuration, EPA114 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg
202120202019201820172016

The 2017 BMW i3 is sold in the U.S. as a electric and plug-in hybrid compact car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the i3 BEV (94 Amp-hour battery), is EPA-rated at 114 miles with 118 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 51 complaints, most often about the structure.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
i3 BEV (60 Amp-hour battery)ElectricRWD125 kW AC Induction137111124 MPGe81 mi274 h$600
i3 BEV (94 Amp-hour battery)ElectricRWD125 kW AC Induction129106118 MPGe114 mi295 h$650
i3 REX (94 Amp-hour battery)Plug-in hybridRWD0.6L 2-cyl + 125kW AC Induction363335 (88 MPGe blended)97 mi electric305 h$2,200

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38000, 38001, 38229.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2017 BMW i3 is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

32,000 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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."RiskDuring a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V720000reported Nov 16, 2017BMW of North America, LLC
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

19,130 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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.RiskA fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V088000reported Feb 9, 2017BMW of North America, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

3,506 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.RiskIf the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.FixBMW 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 campaign 16V914000reported Dec 20, 2016BMW of North America, LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

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 matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
51complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Structure12
Unspecified11
Steering11
Electrical System7
Power Train6
Air Bags4

What owners describe

“We have experienced a mechanical issue with the harness system. Specifically, the straps become extremely difficult to tighten or loosen over time. To adjust them, I have to pull with the full force of a 200lb adult, to the point where it literally shakes the car. Despite following all manufacturer instructions—inclu…”Apr 7, 2026 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness · NHTSA owner report
“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 e…”Dec 17, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“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 ma…”Oct 11, 2025 · Structure · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other i3 model years

A

2021 BMW i3

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2020 BMW i3

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2019 BMW i3

1 recalls · 13 complaints

D

2018 BMW i3

3 recalls · 14 complaints

C

2016 BMW i3

2 recalls · 33 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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