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2017 BMW i3 airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2017 BMW i3 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

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Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the BMW i3, by model year
Model yearairbags complaints
2014 i3 8
2015 i3 6
2016 i3 3
2017 i3 (this page) 3
1crash
2injuries
What stands out

All 2 active airbags recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 17V720000 November 16, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles

During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.
severe NHTSA 16V914000 December 20, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles

If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. 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 Bulletin B321119 Mar 2021

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.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B321119 Apr 2020

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).

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B513016 Apr 2020

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.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B651218 Jan 2019

AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT REPLACEMENT. The airbag indicator light illuminates after replacing the CIS (Capacitive Interior Sensing) mat.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B651816 May 2017

The airbag warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up while the vehicle is in motion. The airbag control unit (ACSM4) contains the following fault(s): ? 930904 - Drivers airbag interval stage 1, resistance too high ? 93090A - Drivers airbag interval stage 2, resistance too high Tension caused by harness cable tie on short jumper harness located between steering column slip ring and driver's airbag creates excess resistance.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

airbags · filed 12/17/2025

Summary On September 30, 2025, the passenger in a 2017 BMW i3 REX was involved in a severe frontal collision with a Gas Company Utility Vehicle. The impact struck the driver’s side extending toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin violently and nearly flip. The passenger reports seatbelt failure with excessive slack, leading to partial ejection from the seat, mid-thigh restraint,…

Had airbags trouble with your 2017 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 2017 BMW i3?

It's a meaningful issue. 3 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?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

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 — 2 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.

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/2017/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.
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