For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 BMW i3 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 BMW i3 have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 5 engine complaints filed for the 2014 BMW i3, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗I3 REX FRONT (UPSTREAM) OXYGEN SENSOR: If a vehicle listed above arrives with engine malfunction indicator (Check Engine) warning light on, performing a Vehicle Test.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗I01 REX MISFIRES AT HIGH ALTITUDES USING WINTER-BLEND FUEL: The check engine light (MIL) is displayed, and in some cases the range extender (REx) engine will run rough for about 1 to 2 seconds during cold start.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TANK VENTILATION AND MIXTURE CONTROL FAULTS STORED IN THE DME: The Engine Malfunction Warning is illuminated and one or more of the following faults are stored in the DME. All models: FC 191C02 - Fuel tank ventilation system 2nd discharge point: malfunction FC 195014 - Differential pressure sensor tank vent valve signal: fixed FC 118001 - Mixture control: mixture too lean FC 118401 - Mixture control: mixture too lean large deviation I01 only: FC 124103 - Mixture control: mixture too lean FC 124101 - Mixture control: Mixture lean large deviation CAUSE Internal mechanical defect in the tank ventilation valve. The defect can also result in a very loud clicking noise when the valve is cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
Two issues: 1. Driving at highway speed of 65 MPH, with battery power drained, the rex (reserve engine) turns on. Suddenly, speed drops from 65 MPH to 40 MPH while on a 2-lane ca freeway, almost causing me to be rear-ended by traffic. One month later, same situation, same problem. 2. Manufacturer states a combined mileage range of 80 miles on battery, 60 miles on rex (reserve engine), for a…
Tl* 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…
I've had to replace the engine motor mount bolts twice in 3 years
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2014 BMW i3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 34,992 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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.