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."
Safety risk
During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
Manufacturer 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
19,130
Reported to NHTSA
2017-02-09
Owners notified
2017-03-25
Defect description
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.
Safety risk
A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
6,073
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-07
Owners notified
2015-11-25
Defect description
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."
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Steering
15
30,000 mi
Structure: body
9
—
Air bags
7
39,000 mi
Electrical system
6
7,580 mi
Vehicle speed control
6
14,000 mi
Power train
4
14,000 mi
Engine
3
7,580 mi
Unknown or other
3
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
1,000 mi
Seat belts
2
37,000 mi
Suspension
2
—
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
1
37,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
The 2014 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2016 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.