Representative model. Photo: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2017 BMW i3 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2017 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 53
Latest campaign: Nov 16, 2017

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	2	Nov 16, 2017	17V720000 16V914000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Feb 9, 2017	17V088000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Nov 16, 2017Latest campaign


Nov 16, 201717V720000	Air bags: frontal During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V720000 What's wrong 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." Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V720000 · Nov 16, 2017
Feb 9, 201717V088000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V088000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V088000 · Feb 9, 2017
Dec 20, 201616V914000	Air bags If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V914000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V914000 · Dec 20, 2016

Nov 16, 201717V720000

Air bags: frontal

During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 17V720000

What's wrong: 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."
Risk: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 17V720000 · Nov 16, 2017

Feb 9, 201717V088000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

DetailsHide details for campaign 17V088000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 17V088000 · Feb 9, 2017

Dec 20, 201616V914000

Air bags

If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V914000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 16V914000 · Dec 20, 2016

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2017 BMW i3? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component53

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

53Complaints filed

2Involving a crash

1Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Unknown or other	12	23	0	1	0
Structure	12	23	0	0	0
Steering	11	21	0	0	1
Electrical system	8	15	0	0	0
Power train	6	11	1	0	1
Air bags	3	6	1	0	2
Fuel/propulsion system	3	6	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	2	4	1	0	1
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	4	0	0	0
Service brakes	2	4	0	0	0
Back over prevention	1	2	0	0	0
Chest clip	1	2	0	0	0
Buckle	1	2	0	0	0
Harness	1	2	0	0	0
Other/i am not sure	1	2	0	0	0

8 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names i3, I3 Phev.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“The rear backup camera view in the screen is completely overridden in reverse, by a tire pressure warning when a tire is low or there is another TPMS fault.”
Filed 10/09/2026 · ODI 11770251
Structure
“My 2017 i3 has a deteriorating roof. The roof, which is made of carbon fiber, is peeling and pieces are breaking off. This has also led to the interior upholstery of my roof to peel and sag.”
Filed 09/17/2026 · ODI 11764977
Structure
“The carbon fiber roof panel is starting to delaminate and I am concerned that pieces could fly off and cause an accident.”
Filed 07/29/2026 · ODI 11753562

Other BMW i3 model years

Other BMW models

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2017 BMW i3 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2017 BMW i3 have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2017 BMW i3. The most recent, 17V720000 (reported November 16, 2017), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2017 BMW i3 recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 2 campaigns. Others: fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2017 BMW i3?

Unknown or other is the most-reported component, named in 12 complaints out of 53 filed with NHTSA (23%). Across all complaints, owners reported 2 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2017 BMW i3?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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