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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Safety risk
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact 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
Structure: body
16
—
Unknown or other
13
2,000 mi
Steering
11
10,650 mi
Electrical system
8
29,712 mi
Power train
6
10,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars
5
32,000 mi
Air bags
4
—
Fuel/propulsion system
3
29,712 mi
Chest clip, buckle, harness
2
—
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
1 mi
Other/i am not sure
2
—
Seat belts
2
—
Service brakes
2
5,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
2
5,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
2
32,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
1
—
Engine
1
—
Exterior lighting
1
—
Seats
1
—
Suspension
1
4,025 mi
Tires: markings
1
—
Tires: tread/belt
1
—
Visibility/wiper
1
—
The 2016 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2018 model has 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.