2017 BMW i3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 12 of 51 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 33 in 2016 to 51 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 electric vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000 | 2,000 | 600–650 | 2,200 | 2,500 | |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 39 | 39 | 118–124 | 35 | 31 | |
| City / Highway MPG/MPGe | 41 / 37 | 41 / 37 | 129–137 / 106–111 | 36 / 33 | 30 / 31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 40 | 37 | 0 | 29 | 22 | |
| Complaints filed | 47 | 33 | 51 | 14 | 13 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 BMW i3 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 BMW i3?
Body, Seats & Latches: 12 of 51 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 BMW i3 get?
EPA rates it 118–124 MPGe combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 BMW i3?
EPA estimates $600–$650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Subcompact Cars | 137 MPGe (high) | 111 MPGe (high) | 124 MPGe (high) | $600 (low) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Subcompact Cars | 129 MPGe (low) | 106 MPGe (low) | 118 MPGe (low) | $650 (high) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (A1) | 2 | 0.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity | Subcompact Cars | 36 mpg | 33 mpg | 35 mpg | $2,200 | 29 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 17V720000 · Nov 17, 2017
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."
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 17V088000 · Feb 14, 2017
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.
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.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 16V914000 · Dec 20, 2016
Defect: 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- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
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.