BMW
i3
BMW i3: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditMakeBMW
ClassSubcompact car
Model years (US)2014–2021
New registrations (EU)2013–2026
Recall dataNHTSA (United States)
Generations and technical specifications
BMW i3 (NA0)2026–present
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | NA0 / NA8 (long-wheelbase sedan) / ZA0 (M3) |
| Production | August 2026 – present |
| Model years | 2027 |
| Body styles | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive (i3 40L/50L) Dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (i3 40/50 xDrive / M60 xDrive M Performance) Quad motors, individual wheel drive (i3 M) |
| Platform | Neue Klasse NAx platform |
| Electric motor | AC induction (front) (HF1001N0 front and HD1002N0 rear) Externally-excited synchronous (rear) |
| Transmissions | Single-speed gear reduction |
| Battery | 87 kWh NMC CATL (i3 40 xDrive /i3 40L) 108.7 kWh NMC EVE Energy (i3 50 xDrive) 113.4 kWh 800V–Technology NMC Cylindrical Cells Gen6 (i3 50L) 100 kWh 800V–Technology NMC Cylindrical Cells Gen6 (i3 M) |
| Electric range | Up to 708 km (EPA) Up to 912 km (WLTP) Up to 1,213 km (CLTC) |
| Charging | DC: 400 kW |
| Wheelbase | 2,898 mm 3,006 mm (LWB) |
| Length | 4,760 mm |
| Width | 1,864 mm |
| Height | 1,481 mm |
| Class | Compact executive car (D) |
| Assembly | Germany: Munich (BMW Group Plant Munich) China: Dadong (BBA, LWB) |
| Designer | Anders Thøgersen under Adrian van Hooydonk |
BMW i3 (hatchback)2013–2022
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | I01 |
| Production | September 2013 – August 2022 (250,000 units) |
| Model years | 2014–2021 (North America) |
| Body styles | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive |
| Platform | LifeDrive architecture |
| Engines | 647 cc W20K06U0 I2 range extender |
| Electric motor | BMW eDrive synchronous permanent magnet motor 125 kW 137 kW |
| Transmissions | Single speed with fixed ratio |
| Drivetrain | Series plug-in hybrid Extended-range electric vehicle (i3 REx) |
| Battery | i3 60 Ah: 18.2 kWh (22 gross) lithium-ion i3 94 Ah: 27.2 kWh (33 gross) lithium-ion i3 120 Ah: 37.9 kWh (42.2 gross) lithium-ion |
| Electric range | BEV 60 Ah 130 km EPA 129–161 km NEDC BEV 94 Ah 183 km EPA BEV 120 Ah 246 km EPA 359 km NEDC 309 km WLTP REx 60 Ah (with range extender) 116 km (EPA) Total: 241 km (EPA) REx 94 Ah (with range extender) 156 km Total: 290 km REx 120 Ah (with range extender) 203 km Total: 322 km |
| Charging | 7.4 kW on-board charger on IEC Combo AC, optional 50 kW Combo DC, DCFC standard on 2015+ models in the US market. |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm |
| Length | 3,999 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,578 mm |
| Kerb weight | 60 Ah: 1,195 kg 60 Ah: 1,315 kg (with range extender) |
| Class | Supermini/subcompact car (B) |
| Assembly | Germany: Leipzig (BMW Group Plant Leipzig) |
| Designer | Richard Kim |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2021 | 0.6 L, 2 cyl plug-in hybrid | Single-speed | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) or electricity |
| 2014–2021 | Electric motor | Single-speed | Rear-wheel drive | Electricity |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2021 | 0.6 L, 2 cyl plug-in hybrid · Single-speed · Rear-wheel drive | 6.0–7.6 L/100 km | 5.7–7.8 L/100 km | 6.4–7.6 L/100 km | 116–203 km |
| 2014–2021 | Electric motor · Single-speed · Rear-wheel drive | 16.8–18.5 kWh/100 km | 15.5–16.8 kWh/100 km | 18.6–20.6 kWh/100 km | 130–246 km |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
EU type-approval data
| Years | Powertrain | Engine | Power | Mass | CO₂ | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2022, 2024 | Electric | – | 75 kW (102 PS) | 1270–1365 kg | – | 280–359 km · 129–162 Wh/km |
| 2016–2022 | Electric | – | 125 kW (170 PS) | 1320–1345 kg | – | 289–310 km · 126–158 Wh/km |
| 2018–2022 | Electric | – | 135 kW (184 PS) | 1340–1365 kg | – | 279–282 km · 161–165 Wh/km |
| 2019 | Petrol plug-in hybrid | 600 cm³ | – | 1440–1460 kg | 4–5 g/km (WLTP) | 115–147 Wh/km |
| 2017–2018 | Petrol-electric | 600 cm³ | – | 1440–1460 kg | 4–5 g/km (WLTP) | 115–125 Wh/km |
| 2015–2016, 2018 | Petrol-electric | 647 cm³ | 28 kW (38 PS) | 1390–1440 kg | 12–13 g/km (NEDC) | 113–115 Wh/km |
| 2013–2018 | Petrol-electric | 647 cm³ | 75 kW (102 PS) | 1390–1445 kg | 4–5 g/km (WLTP) | 113–119 Wh/km |
| 2016–2018 | Petrol-electric | 647 cm³ | 125 kW (170 PS) | 1440 kg | 4–5 g/km (WLTP) | 113–119 Wh/km |
| 2017–2018 | Petrol-electric | 647 cm³ | 135 kW (184 PS) | 1460 kg | 5 g/km (WLTP) | 125 Wh/km |
Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Subcompact car |
| Model years in EPA data | 2014–2021 |
| Powertrains | Plug-in hybrid, Electric |
| Engine displacement | 0.6 L |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Transmission types | Single-speed |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (premium) or electricity, Electricity |
| Configurations listed | 17 |
| Start-stop system | Yes |
| Electric motor (EPA) | 125 kW DCPM; 125 kW AC Induction; 125kW AC Induction; 125kW |
| Luggage volume (EPA) | 425 L |
| Passenger volume (EPA) | 2,379 L |
| Electric range (EPA) | 130–246 km |
| Powertrains (EU) | Petrol-electric, Electric |
| Engine displacement (EU) | 600–647 cm³ |
| Power (EU) | 75–135 kW (102–184 PS) |
| Mass in running order (EU) | 1,270–1,460 kg |
| Wheelbase (EU) | 2,570 mm |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2014–2021 |
| New registrations (EU) | 2013–2026 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 41 | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Body and structure | 35 | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 2014, 2015, 2017 |
| Airbags | 24 | 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 | 2014, 2015, 2017 |
| Engine and cooling | 15 | 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Speed control and cruise | 15 | 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Fuel and propulsion | 12 | 2014, 2015, 2017 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 2014, 2015, 2017 |
| Wheels | 5 | 2014 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2014–2017: 182 complaints, 9 with a crash and 2 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.