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2018 BMW i3

ElectricPlug-in hybrid

Subcompact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls1 critical3

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA14

Crash ratingNHTSA overall—

EV rangebest configuration, EPA114 mi

Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2018 BMW i3 is sold in the U.S. as a electric and plug-in hybrid compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the i3 (94Ah), 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 14 complaints, most often about the steering.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Range	kWh/100mi	Charge (240V)	Annual fuel*
i3 (94Ah)	Electric	RWD	125 kW AC Induction	129	106	118 MPGe	114 mi	28.6	5 h	$650
i3s (94Ah)	Electric	RWD	125 kW AC Induction	126	99	112 MPGe	107 mi	30.0	5 h	$650
i3 (94Ah) with Range Extender	Plug-in hybrid	RWD	0.6L 2-cyl + 125 kW AC Induction	36	33	35 (87 MPGe blended)	97 mi electric	31	5 h	$2,200
i3s (94Ah) with Range Extender	Plug-in hybrid	RWD	0.6L 2-cyl + 125 kW AC Induction	36	33	35 (87 MPGe blended)	97 mi electric	31	5 h	$2,200

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39854, 39855, 39834, 39835.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Electrical System

159 vehicles

ProblemBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.RiskA shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.FixBMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 19V310000reported Apr 17, 2019BMW of North America, LLC

!critical

Equipment

3,501 vehicles

ProblemBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.RiskAn electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.FixBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 18V652000reported Sep 20, 2018BMW of North America, LLC

▲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

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

14complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Steering3

Vehicle Speed Control3

Fuel/Propulsion System3

Structure3

Tires1

Power Train1

What owners describe

“After reviewing BMWâ€™s warranty documentation, I believe that the part replaced â€” specifically the evaporative emissions (EVAP) valve or purge valve AND vapor canister (active charcoal canister) â€” should be covered under the California Extended Emissions Warranty (TZEV) for my 2018 BMW i3 with Range Extender. Acco…”Jun 18, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

“This isn't a safety issue, rather it's a known problem with the factory AC compressor inside of BMW i3s and i8s that seem to constantly fail. I had a replacement under the car's factory warranty and the part already failed again right outside the part's warranty period. The replacement itself was quoted as a little ove…”Jul 24, 2024 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

“My car has a problem with the carbon fiber roof panel. In the sun, the clear epoxy of the roof is de laminating from the carbon fiber beneath it. This is a safety issue because as it delaminates the clear epoxy is no longer properly attached to the roof and may fly off and into other vehicles when traveling at highway …”Apr 16, 2024 · 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

2021 BMW i3

0 recalls · 0 complaints

2020 BMW i3

0 recalls · 0 complaints

2019 BMW i3

1 recalls · 13 complaints

2017 BMW i3

3 recalls · 51 complaints

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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