2015 BMW i3 owner complaints

Twice the power steering failed to function correctly. Each time the feedback to power assist "floated" in an undetermined state. The ability to force a turn (make hard turns) seemed to active the power assist and worked as expected. Straight driving seemed to caused the power assist to go on an off and wander or vary the force. It would seem to engage power assist when steering went off center. The effect was similar to driving in ruts. Both times the failure corrected on power off for a few minutes. Power off for only a minute didn't fix. Reported to dealer with no find report back. I suppose with a puny car like this they could have just removed power steering.

My 2015 i3 just had the steering get really heavy as if I had a flat and it pulled to the right. It was difficult to center the steering as if the power steering had failed. This is a known issue on various internet forums for this model, but it is intermittent and therefore hard to duplicate for the service department. After letting the car sit for a while, it was back to normal the next time I drove it.

In last 4 weeks, on two occasions steering became very stiff a & hard to turn. Both times the steering was very stiff immediately when car started to move forward. In first occurrence, after leaving parking lot under 10 miles/hour, I drove 25-30 miles/hour in city traffic (straight streets), then drove up to 65-70 miles/hour on interstate 95 (mostly straight ahead driving). In the second occurrence, after starting the vehicle, I reversed straight out of the drimveway at about 5-10 miles/hour. I didn't hit any manhole covers or significant uneveness in either case.

While driving, steering became heavy, notchy. It would not center itself; for example, around a turn, the steering wheel would stay in the direction I turned. This has happened several times over the last few months! It seems there is a bug in the software. BMW can't find anything wrong. Several forms have been created over this problem.

I am reporting a recurring issue with the steering wheel. The vehicle was in motion, on a city street, going straight. When the issue happened, the steering wheel turned to the left noticeably by itself and it took force by hand to correct it so the car could go straight. This created a safety risk concern to the driver. I feel the affected components likely are the steering wheel and electronics system. Below is a more detailed description: in march, the steering wheel turned left slightly by itself after the car was started. This position of the wheel was enough to make the car turn left gradually. It took some force by hand to steer and keep the wheel back to the regular neutral position. When the wheel was kept at the regular neutral position, the car was able to go straight.

Power steering malfunctioned causing steering to be very stiff. This happened whenever the car exceeded about 25 MPH, and returned to normal at low speeds. The car wanted to veer out of the lane and required force to keep it in the lane. After turning the car off and back on, the car steering returned to normal. This event happens sporadically, about once a month. While the steering can be overpowered to keep the car on course, this can be very dangerous if you are not expecting it.

When driving down the interstate the carbon fiber roof suddenly delaminated of its top layer causing the cars behind me to have to slam on the brakes as chunks of carbon fiber flew off the car. This is a known issue with the BMW carbon fiber roofs that is worse on the i3 because of instead of a weave it is forged carbon.

The carbon fiber roof of my 2015 is de-laminating and the resin coating is bubbling. BMW knows its an issue for all I3's without a sun roof and with Carbon fiber roofs and won't fix it.

The carbon fiber roof is delaminating. The outer layer is pulling away from the base layer. I understand that this is a structural panel. No lights messages or warnings. The problem is very common with this vehicle. It has not been inspected.

Roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view

The roof has delaminated and is causing leaks within the main cabin yes available for inspection upon request. The structural integrity of the roof is no longer intact and only getting worse. Yes. The problem has been presented to bmw to no avail. BMW does not provide any means to repair nor will acknowledge the issue. Original the roof material got one area of bubbling and within a month or so it had spread throughout the remainder of the roof.

Carbon fiber roof panel is bubbling and coming apart. BMW reports this is a structural component of the car and is designed to take impact stresses, however my vehicle and others, the roof is deteriorating and BMW does not acknowledge the issue.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW I3. The contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the A/C or the heater. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer who diagnosed and determined that a component of the A/C system t

I turned on the car, opened the gate and put the car in reverse. I pressed the gas peddle lightly and the car flew out of the driveway, hit the gate, flew out into the street and hit a parked car. During this time, the car brakes never worked. It was as if the gas peddle was stuck and the brakes did not work to stop the car.

While driving the console had a message: "drivetrain malfunction". I was able to coast over to the side of the road but could accelerate after the message on the console. Very dangerous situation. No warning, once the message appeared on the console the car would not accelerate.

The composite roof is blistering and beginning to delaminate.

2015 BMW i3. Consumer writes in regards to range extender safety recall. *ld consumer sent additional correspondence. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle has had multiple recalls and 2 lightweight tires that have ruptured easily. Updated 11/15/2017*js the consumer stated the battery in the vehicle would rapidly lose it's charge. The consumer was advised the vehicle was operating as designed. *js

I was driving uphill on a winding, narrow highway, California State Route 18, when the range extender kicked in and I had a sudden loss of power. I could not maintain vehicle speed. It was terrifying. I was alone. I didn't know what to do. I turned on my hazard lights and I pulled over every time vehicles came up behind me.

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: “Driver 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 awa

The adaptive cruise control (acc) in the i3 is single camera based, and will deactivate during a number of conditions (such as driving into direct sunlight which blinds the camera.) this is a design limitation, but not the problem. The problem is when acc deactivates, the car immediately goes into full regen braking without warning. At highway speeds this is a sudden and significant deceleration that poses a safety hazard (being rear ended).