2019 BMW i3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 6 of 13 complaints (46%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 14 in 2018 to 13 in 2019.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 similar vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 600–650 | 2,200 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 | |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 118–124 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 31 | |
| City / Highway MPG/MPGe | 129–137 / 106–111 | 36 / 33 | 30 / 31 | 30 / 31 | 30 / 31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 0 | 29 | 22 | 22 | 22 | |
| Complaints filed | 51 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 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 2019 BMW i3 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2019 BMW i3?
Electrical: 6 of 13 NHTSA complaints (46%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 BMW i3 get?
EPA rates it 31 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 BMW i3?
EPA estimates $2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| 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 | 124 MPGe | 102 MPGe | 113 MPGe | $650 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Subcompact Cars | 124 MPGe | 102 MPGe | 113 MPGe | $650 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (A1) | 2 | 0.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity | Subcompact Cars | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,500 | 22 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (A1) | 2 | 0.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity | Subcompact Cars | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,500 | 22 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 0 | 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 (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 19V599000 · Aug 14, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.
Consequence: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.