2018 BMW i3 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 BMW i3.

20172019
Complaints
16
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2018 BMW i3 Problems

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

#13 complaints

Steering Defects

#23 complaints

Body Structure

#32 complaints

Fuel System

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 BMW i3.

Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 BMW i3. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 BMW i3

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~35,660 vehicles.

19V310000Hybrid Propulsion System · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
~159 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high voltage electrical power.

18V652000Equipment:electrical
~3,501 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.

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."

Other BMW i3 Years

2018 BMW i3 — FAQ

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

Is the 2018 BMW i3 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2018 BMW i3 has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 BMW i3?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (3 complaints); Body Structure (3 complaints); Fuel System (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
Does the 2018 BMW i3 have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 35,660 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 2018 BMW i3?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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.

Check Your Specific 2018 BMW i3

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

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