2014 BMW i3 Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2014 BMW i3.

< older2015
Complaints
74
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2014 BMW i3 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#113 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:46,091 mi
#29 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:54,376 mi
#38 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:17,000 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2014 BMW i3.

Transmission / Drivetrain
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,091
Engine Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,376
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
17,000
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
27,362
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,865
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,990
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 BMW i3. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2014 BMW i3

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~57,230 vehicles.

17V720000Air Bags:frontal
~32,000 affected

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."

17V088000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~19,130 affected

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.

15V628000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~6,073 affected

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."

14V422000Air Bags:frontal
~27 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an air bag inflator that was not assembled correctly. This could cause the air bag to not deploy properly in the event of an accident.

Other BMW i3 Years

2014 BMW i3 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2014 BMW i3 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2014 BMW i3 has 74 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2014 BMW i3?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (13 complaints, avg 46,091 mi); Engine Problems (9 complaints, avg 54,376 mi); Airbags (8 complaints, avg 17,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 BMW i3?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 34,443 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2014 BMW i3?
NHTSA complaints for the 2014 BMW i3 include 3 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2014 BMW i3 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 57,230 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2014 BMW i3?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full BMW i3 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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