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.
I am the owner of my BMWi3. We live in a retirement community in Florida and it is the perfect vehicle for driving the short commutes of our daily activities. December 27, 2020 I ordered (from Amazon) SUNTUE Buckles Extender, Universal Fit for 7/8'' Metal Tongue, Extension Socket Connector with E11 Safety Certified -2 Pack. The purpose was to make it easier to fasten the seat belts. We are in our 70-€™s and it is difficult to reach down to fasten the belt. Our fingers are not as nimble as when we were young. I installed them in mid-January 2021 and a few days later the message appeared: -€œDriver restraint system malfunction. Continue wearing safety belt. Consult nearest service center.-€ Shortly after the warning appeared, I removed the extenders and thought the warning would go away. However, it continued to appear. After seeing the message for several months, I called BMW for an appointment to clear the message. September 23, 2021, I paid $160.10 for a diagnostic test, and the BMW Service Advisor told me the SRS -€" Airbag Driver Front: high resistance in driver airbag must be replaced. He assured me the problem is NOT related to the seat belt extenders. The advisor said the air bag would have to be ordered and gave an estimate of over $1,300. I had to sign papers stating the airbag is not safe. I searched on-line for other BMWi3 owners who have had similar experiences. I found that some other owners have had the airbag message. I then searched for -€œreplacement of air bags-€ and was surprised to find that it is rarely necessary to replace the bags -€œbecause they won-€™t wear out.-€ My BMW has 35,600 miles; it is always garaged, and has not been in an accident, therefore, I do not understand what would cause my airbag system to indicate it must be replaced.
Only 5 years old 41K miles, mint condition, while driving the light came on saying "driver restraint system malfunction. After checking all the I3 blogs this seems to be an ongoing issue. I took my car over to BMW today, they looked at it and said the airbag has malfunctioned same thing as the blogs are outlining. I was advised but the service person that it would be $1800 I told him this is an issue with the I3 and its all over the blogs, he acknowledged his awareness, in addition airbags should be good for 10 years / guaranteed? anyway I emailed the following BMW North american management asking why this is not a recall. Bernhard kuhnt - president and CEO of North America/BMW group region americas richard hart - warranty department head North America shaun bugbee - executive vice president BMW the have just been allowing people to fix their defective airbag, as they installed substandard equipment on a $50K car. Anyway this needs to be looked into I have pictures of the warning but it will not allow me to update as they are too big and I don't know how to compress. Thank you for your time and service..
The driver's side airbag indicator illuminated upon vehicle startup. The dealer diagnosed that there was a fault in the system and that the airbag might not deploy in a collision. This failure made the vehicle unsafe to drive.
Seat belt twist into the re-tractor back of the seat and cannot be untwisted because the twist remains behind the seat from the floor to the top of the seat. Taken to the dealer but the dealer denies that this is possible claiming someone must have messed with them installing them backwards. I have another issue too with the seat mat on the passenger side throwing an error message where the airbag will turn off with a passenger in the seat. Dealership claims it's do to moister and refuses to fix it unless pay 1500 dollars. This component is faulty but they are blaming me and I did not spill anything into the seat it was purchased this way. This component should not fail so easily even if the seat was damp. Should I have to pay 1500 dollars every time someones butt sweats into my seat? that's ridiculous. The sensor will fail over bumps with a passenger in the seat regardless of speed. Only heavier passengers over about 240 lbs trigger the error.. it will reset itself once the trip is completed. But for the duration of the trip the passenger will not be protected from the airbags in the event of collision.
- Casa Grande, AZ, USA
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2015 BMW I3. Consumer writes in regards to range extender safety recall. Consumer sent additional correspondence. The consumer stated the vehicle has had multiple recalls and 2 lightweight tires that have ruptured easily. Updated 11/15/2017 the consumer stated the battery in the vehicle would rapidly lose it's charge. The consumer was advised the vehicle was operating as designed.
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- The Villages, FL, USA