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2014 BMW i3 airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2014 BMW i3 have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Of the 8 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 BMW i3,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
1 (100%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of BMW i3 we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 8.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014
If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinB010818Jan 2024
The Supplemental Restraint SystemâÂÂs (SRS) air bag warning lamp is illuminated, and the air bag control unitâÂÂs (ACSM4i) fault memory has stored one or both of the following fault codes: 930904 Airbag Driver 1st Stage: "Resistance too largeâ 93090A Airbag Driver 2nd Stage: âÂÂResistance too large"
STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering control is never lost when the reduction of assistance occurs.
SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B32 11 19 dated October 2019. The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering control is never lost when the reduction of assistance occurs. The fault may self-correct for no obvious reason or be eliminated with a terminal change/key cycle. There is no Check Control (CC) message when the issue occurs. Unfavorable software in the Electric Power Steering (EPS).
TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 4) replaces SI B51 30 16 dated March 2018. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked Trunk/tailgate may open while the vehicle is in motion usually after stopping such as a traffic light etc. Vehicle key trunk/tailgate button may be accidentally pressed thus opening the tailgate.
AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT REPLACEMENT. The airbag indicator light illuminates after replacing the CIS (Capacitive Interior Sensing) mat.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/28/2023
I am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue I have been facing with my 2014 BMW i3, VIN: [XXX] . Unfortunately, I have been experiencing an airbag and/or seatbelt alert problem identified as "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" with the error code 930904 displayed on the dashboard. I have attached supporting documentation, including images and information from the BMW Service…
airbags
· filed 10/25/2023
I am writing regarding an ongoing issue I am having with BMW North America and their dealerships concerning a faulty airbag in my 2014 BMW i3 electric vehicle (VIN #: [XXX] ). On multiple occasions in October 2023, BMW North America informed me that the "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" alert in my vehicle could be repaired under a Service Action extension (code SIB010818/DC3234908400) that…
airbags · 13,000 mi
· filed 08/14/2016
Passenger seat sensor would fail to detect a passenger after drive lasting 20 minutes or more. The passenger air bag will not deploy in this state because no fault codes are registered in the seat sensor or anywhere else. BMW claims that this caused by "cell phone interference" and it "can never be fixed" but has replaced my seat sensor with a totally redesigned seat sensor. No one can explain…
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 BMW i3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2014 BMW i3?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 17,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/BMW/i3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.