2018 BMW I3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 BMW I3: 3 recalls, 14 owner complaints and up to 118 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V720000 · 2017 · 32,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #18V652000 · 2018 · 3,501 vehicles
What's wrong: Capacitors within the turbocord portable chargers May fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
Why it matters: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019.
Hybrid system, Electrical Vehicle recall #19V310000 · 2019 · 159 vehicles
What's wrong: A circuit board problem within the electric motor electronics (eme) module May shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.
Why it matters: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the eme module, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (3): the most common themes are steering problems (3).
- Speed control / throttle (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 BMW I3 has 14 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 6 I3 model years for complaints (well below the 36 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 17,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (52 complaints, 3 recalls), 2019 (13 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (125 kW AC Induction) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 129e | 106e | 118e | Electricity |
| Electric (125 kW AC Induction) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 126e | 99e | 112e | Electricity |
| 0.6 L 2-cyl hybrid | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 36 | 33 | 35 | Premium Gas or Electricity |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 BMW I3.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 BMW I3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 BMW I3. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 BMW I3 problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (3), speed control / throttle (3), fuel & propulsion (3).
What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW I3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 118 mpg combined, across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 BMW I3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.