4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,514 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 BMW i3 engine problems

engine problem

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2014 BMW i3 Owner Comments

problem #8

Jun 052022

i3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

RANGE extender intermittintly doesnt start when electric is low cause dangerous loss of complete power. exacerbated by the fact that it becomes nearly impossible for two people to push in neutral on level ground.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #7

May 112022

i3

  • miles
I purchased my 2014 BMW i3 from Canada in 2019. It was imported from the U.S and still is registered in the U.S. I brought it into the BMW dealership in Vancouver BC shortly after to do a vehicle inspection. At that time, the dealer printed out a list of defect codes/recalls. It also said that they were done and marked "yes" completed. Fast forward to 2022, I bring my car into the same dealer and they said there is a recall not completed to replace the convenience charging electronics KLE and that they would fix for free. My car was not starting and we thought it could have caused the issue. They also noted at that time that the engine mount screws are now split and need to be replaced. I then discovered it was part of an open recall but when I asked about this, they said the recall closed in 2016 and I would now be responsible to replace this part for $3400+ even though it was a known defective BMW part. Upon further research, the initial part replaced was deemed not good enough and the part was upgraded to aluminum (it is currently a plastic mount bracket). I have tried requesting again for them to complete the recall work but they said they told me: " Yes, there was a recall but it was completed in 2016 in san fran by the looks of it. (<--I don't think it was actually completed) "I can't claim it since its done unfortunately... there is no way for me to claim this to you either as the repairs done more than 2 years ago and the car is out of warrant for 4 years. So BMW will just see it as just wear and tear. I tried to see of any ways I could assist you but there isn't a way for me to claim this with BMW" So my issue, and why I am writing you is that they claim the part has been completed but it has not, it is still the original bracket and screw mount. Plus they admitted they still needed to replace the charging electronics when this was apparently also marked as completed. I suspect someone lied about the recall work being done in San Francisco.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 202021

i3

  • miles
I've had to replace the engine motor mount bolts twice in 3 years

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 162020

i3

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle suddenly jerked and lost all power while in motion on a city street. I can't imagine what would have happened if I was on the freeway with traffic. The message on the screen in my car stated drivetrain malfunction stop and turn off engine do not continue to drive call roadside assistance.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 172019

i3

  • 87,000 miles
I was stopped at a stop sign and when I accelerated the rear of the car felt like it got rear ended. I walked around the car, nothing was wrong. It drove fine up to 40 mph, then on the highway, it made a rrrr sound. The next day I found out that the engine mount bolt snapped.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 052019

i3

  • 13,015 miles
The contact owns a 2014 BMW I3. The contact purchased the vehicle used in June of 2019. In early August, a loud grinding noise was heard when the air conditioning was activated. While braking, the contact released the accelerator pedal and heard a thumping sound and the drive train malfunction indicator illuminated. The warning indicator instructed the contact to bring the vehicle to the dealer for service. The vehicle was taken to BMW seattle (1002 airport way S, seattle, wa 98134, (206) 829-5004) where it was diagnosed that the engine mount bracket fractured. The engine fell and pinched the high voltage cable, which caused the drive train malfunction warning message to appear. Since the vehicle was not under warranty, it would cost over $5,000 to repair. The failure mileage was 13,015.

- Mill Creek, WA, USA

problem #2

Jun 012016

i3

  • 15,600 miles
While driving the car and at a stop light the car made some jerky noise and got the "drivetrain malfunction - stop and turn off engine. Do not continue driving. Call roadside assistance" message. This has happened about 6 months ago and had the car towed to the service and they never found any problem. Now in the span of a day it has happened 3 times. When I turn off engine, wait a minute or so and start again, I was able to drive the car again. I am not sure why this is happening and I have looked through all BMW forums and facebook pages and nobody seems to have an answer. I am worried about driving the car and having it completely halt in the middle of driving on the freeway. This needs to be addressed by BMW and I have yet to get an answer.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 012016

i3

  • 6,500 miles
Charged my car overnight in my climate controlled garage and went out the next morning to run errands. Turned it on, put it in drive, heard a pop or clunk from the rear and then got a drive train not available - do not move vehicle error. Couldn't even put the car in neutral for towing - BMW roadside had to send a tow truck with skates to prop up the back end and push it out of my garage. It's been at the dealer almost 2 weeks now - the local mechanics have had calls with BMW back in germany and they can't seem to figure out what the problem is.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

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