BMW i3 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 33 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2016 BMW i3? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- body — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 13,872 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- steering — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 39,583 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 29,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 57,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 57,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 BMW i3
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The "stop and go" cruise control has disengaged over 100 times and has slammed on the brakes for no reason 5 times. I have almost been rear ended twice on the highway. This is not safe. I have shown BMW over 50 photos and 3 videos of this and they find every excuse in the book.…
The steering becomes heavy intermittently. Sometimes like there is no steering assist. Also wheel does not come back to center after turns. Typically on colder days and driving at slow speed.
Involved in a frontal collision and air bag did not deploy. Airbag could've prevented more serious injuries suffered. I contacted the service center at BMW Roseville and left a message for the service manager, no return call. The vehicle has been inspected by an insurance…
Previously reported a steering incident no. 11438343. Dealer indidicated that there was a "bug in the software" and that the car would be entitled to a one time fix under extended warranty. Dealership worked on the issue and completed the warranty repair on 11/28/2021 and I…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 BMW i3 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 BMW i3 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 BMW i3?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 BMW i3 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 BMW i3?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 13,872 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 BMW i3 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 33 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 13,872 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 BMW i3?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 13,872 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 13,872 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my BMW i3 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 BMW i3?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 33 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.