In the middle of driving, the coil spring on rear passenger side snapped. What happened to me today was exactly what the search result showed from the internet. And yet, when I put in my VIN # to your and BMW website, I got 0 recall for this VIN. Mine is 2015, what am I missing? Googel: Early BMW i3 models, particularly from the 2014-2016 production runs, have known issues with rear coil springs snapping, often due to corrosion or poor heat treatment. If your rear end sags, you hear a loud clank over bumps, or you notice a piece of metal resting near your rear tires, a broken spring is the likely culprit. Symptoms and inspection details include: The Snapping Point: The spring typically breaks at the very first or second coil from the bottom.
The worst 2015 BMW I3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering15
- Airbags7
- Body7
- Acceleration6
- Electrical6
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Fuel system3
- Seat belts2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 BMW I3
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal
- What is 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.
Recall number 17V720000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is 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.
Recall number 17V088000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
- Remedy
- MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1‑866‑825‑1525 and BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 15V628000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2015 BMW I3
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency 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 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, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2015 BMW I3 294
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific)...
- The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific)...
- The Supplemental Restraint Systemâs (SRS) air bag warning lamp is illuminated, and the air bag control...
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain...
- For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the...
- Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents).
- Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vent)
- DELIVERY STOP: CHARGING CABLE (NON-TURBOCORD VERSION): BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective May 3,...
- Telematics unit deactivation due to 3G cellular technology discontinuation
2015 BMW I3 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6L 2‑cyl Plug-in hybrid | RWD | 41 | 37 | 39 |
| Electric motor Electric 81 mi range | RWD | 137 | 111 | 124 MPGe |
What 2015 BMW I3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When driving down the interstate the carbon fiber roof suddenly delaminated of its top layer causing the cars behind me to have to slam on the brakes as chunks of carbon fiber flew off the car. This is a known issue with the BMW carbon fiber roofs that is worse on the i3 because of instead of a weave it is forged carbon.
Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal.
roof damage
airbag failed. alert light went on. Had to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW I3. The contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the A/C or the heater. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer who diagnosed and determined that a component of the A/C system that cooled the electric hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the repair needed to be completed due to the risk of the battery overheating and catching on fire. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the contact was afraid of driving the vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was advised that this was normal wear and tear of the hybrid battery system. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view
The carbon fiber roof is delaminating. The outer layer is pulling away from the base layer. I understand that this is a structural panel. No lights messages or warnings. The problem is very common with this vehicle. It has not been inspected.
The carbon fiber roof of my 2015 is de-laminating and the resin coating is bubbling. BMW knows its an issue for all I3's without a sun roof and with Carbon fiber roofs and won't fix it.
The roof has delaminated and is causing leaks within the main cabin yes available for inspection upon request. The structural integrity of the roof is no longer intact and only getting worse. Yes. The problem has been presented to bmw to no avail. BMW does not provide any means to repair nor will acknowledge the issue. Original the roof material got one area of bubbling and within a month or so it had spread throughout the remainder of the roof.
Compare the 2015 BMW I3
Other model years
Questions about the 2015 BMW I3
Is the 2015 BMW I3 reliable?
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 2015 BMW I3, 1.4 times a typical I3 model year.
What is the 2015 BMW I3 year score?
The 2015 BMW I3 scores 61 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW I3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 BMW I3?
Steering, with 15 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles. Next is airbags (7).
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW I3 have?
3 recalls, covering air bags and fuel system, gasoline.
What gas mileage does the 2015 BMW I3 get?
Official estimates for the 2015 BMW I3 range from 39 mpg combined. The most efficient version (0.6L 2-cyl plug-in hybrid, RWD) gets 41 city and 37 highway.
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