2016 BMW i3
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 BMW i3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 496 on record.
2016 BMW i3 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2016 BMW i3 recalls 2
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2016 BMW i3 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…
NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 256
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 256.
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Bulletin B010525 · Engine · May 2026the High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first del…
Bulletin B011124 · Electrical System · Dec 2024The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first d…
Bulletin 011024 · Electrical System · Dec 2024For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligi…
Bulletin B010524 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2024The Supplemental Restraint SystemâÂÂs (SRS) air bag warning lamp is illuminated, and the air bag control unitâÂÂs (ACSM4i) fault memory has stored one or both of the following fault codes: 930904 Airbag Driver 1st Stage: "Resistance too largeâ 93090…
Bulletin B010818 · Air Bags · Jan 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdi…
Bulletin B611305 · Electrical System · Jan 2024The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, superseded t…
Bulletin SIB651312 · Electrical System · May 2022For 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.
Bulletin B012021 · Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Other · Nov 2021The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, superseded t…
Bulletin B651312 · Equipment · Sep 2021Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents).
Bulletin B640621 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2021Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the I3 RWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW i3. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: Thi…
Transport Canada #2024544 · Aug 2024Fuel System
On certain i3 REX models, a section of the fuel tank vent line could chafe against an adjacent ribbed wire protector. Over time, this chaffing could lead to the fuel tank vent line wearing through and leaking. Due to enclosed engine compartment of this vehicle and elevated underhood temperatures, this could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Corr…
Transport Canada #2017068 · Feb 2017Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the BMW i3
BMW i3 may refer to:BMW i3 (NA0), an electric car produced since 2026, based on the Neue Klasse platform BMW i3, an electric car produced between 2022 and 2026 for the Chinese market, based on the BMW 3 Series (G20) BMW i3 (hatchback), an electric car produced between 2013 and 2022 with battery electric and range extender electric powertrain options
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2016 BMW i3 trims & engines on record
2016 BMW i3 vehicles on record
2016 BMW i3 Range ExtenderWBY1Z4C57GV507921
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z2C59GV556915
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z8C59HV889782
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6105HV547368
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z4C57GV507997
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6100HV883221
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z4C53GV508760
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6103HV547076
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6102HV884290
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z610XHV938306
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z8C35HV890359
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6108HV883838
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z2C57GV556587
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6107HV939204
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z2C59GV556722
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z2C50GV556575
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6102HV883009
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6108HV938434
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z610XHV884022
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z6108HV882771
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z4C57GV506722
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z61080V939863
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z2C52GV556898
2016 BMW i3WBY1Z4C56GV507506