2015 BMW i8 vs 2015 Honda CR-Z
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2015 BMW i8
2015 Honda CR-Z
Stories from the shop
The 2015 BMW i8 edges this comparison on reliability data (4.5 versus 4.3). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2015 BMW i8 or the 2015 Honda CR-Z?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2015 BMW i8 comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.5 versus 4.3. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2015 BMW i8?
On the categories we tracked, the 2015 BMW i8 doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2015 Honda CR-Z. Both have similar issue patterns.
What goes wrong more often on the 2015 Honda CR-Z?
On the categories we tracked, the 2015 Honda CR-Z doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2015 BMW i8. The two are running close.
Which has more recalls?
Both vehicles have 1 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $0 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.