Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.
Chart based on 46 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatch
168-horsepower Electric + Gas 1-speed automatic RWD
168-horsepower Electric + Gas 1-speed automatic RWD
8900 mi
The check engine light came on due to a misfire. The repair was to update the car's software to the latest version.
19000 mi
Due to some combination of an engine mis-fire and other trouble codes the computer would not let the range extender run. The cabin heating element was replaced and the car firmware updated.
24000 mi
High voltage battery cooling system valve failed and was replaced.
40435 mi
Check engine light on due to misfire. Drained fuel and replaced with lower octane fuel in hopes that would prevent future occurences.
4000 mi
Charger door assembly replacement. Off-peak charging feature not working.
13700 mi
Fuel system canister problem
14000 mi
Drivetrain error, cleared by dealer and attributed to ice in the High Voltage charging system
11179 mi
Check engine light came on. Checked REX oil level and it was good (oil was like new). Brought car to dealer and received a loaner vehicle. Picked up car the same day. Fault was cleared from the computer. Service department stated that the spark plugs were fouled. They were cleaned, gapped, and reinstalled. Engine was run 20 minutes for diagnostics with no errors. Was informed that should the REX run, we should drive a minimum of 20 minutes to allow it to reach full operating temp. This is rather hard to do as the REX cannot be turned on manually and only turns on when the battery is at 6% or less charge--and I generally try to avoid that in case the REX fails to stay running (which was the case we had--fortunately, we made it home-Eco mode + to the rescue LOL). So.... NEXT STEP: Vgate WIFI iCar2 OBDII Elm327 Code Reader and BIMMERCODE to code the ECU to allow me to turn on the REX manually once the state of charge drops to 75% or lower. This will allow me to run the REX under direct ON/OFF control to ensure it will run for 20+ minutes (no way to tell if its reached operating temperature as there is no instrumentation for the REX). Total investment under$75 to enable full REX control, video playback, and a slew of other features. 5 star for the BIMMERCODE application--real easy to use and does 90% of what "coding" can do without having to spend the effort to learn coding (not hard, but I dont want to invest the time for some of the more esoteric features). Im an electrical and industrial engineer so have no problem learning to code--but not really necessary given the great utility of the BIMMERCODE application.
1120 mi
Car displayed a CEL while on the highway, CEL then started flashing, REx shutdown while at speed. Reset it with a restart, was able to get it to the dealer, they replaced the crank position sensor.
3720 mi
After the July CEL fix, the REx continued to produce CELs for cylinder misfire, camshaft position sensor as well as a couple other generic codes. The fix this time was re-adjust the timing, only part needed was a valve cover gasket.
6500 mi
A service bulletin required updated motor mount bolts due to early versions being prone to breaking. Also included with the new bolts was a software update that compliments the new bolts and changes the sensitivity of the TC system.
6360 mi
In below zero Celsius temps, there is an audible creak from the rear when tipping into the throttle from a stop. It sounds like a motor mount as the motor cradle rocks back as torque is applied. Had two solid yellow (not flashing) CEL's during the summer months, I viewed them with my OBD reader and they were phantom CELs, so I cleared them. Common problem with i3, so I just reported this to the dealer so they could update software.
19815 mi
COMPLAINT: CLIENT REPORTS THREE DRIVE TRAIN ERROR MALFUNCTIONS
OCCURRED BET NOVEMBER 2017 = JANUARY 2018.
ONE OF THEM HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OVER A HIGHWAY EXPANSION
JOINT WITH THE REX RUNNING AND THE IMPACT SEEMED TO CAUSE
SHUT DOWN REX.
CAUSE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT ON AT THIS TIME. POSSIBLE FUEL TANK
PRESSURE SENSOR CAUSING MALFUNCTION LIGHT. REPAIRED ON LINE 1 COMPLAINT: CLIENT REPORTS FUEL FLAP HAS
FAILED TO OPEN A FEW TIMES.
CHECK AND ADVISE
CAUSE: FOUND FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR CAUSING FAULTS
PERFORMED BRIEF TEST FOUND FAULT CODE 80601D STORED FOR FUEL
TANK PRESSURE SENSOR IMPLAUSABLE. RAN TEST FOR PRESSURE
SENSOR FOUND IT TO BE READING OK AT THIS TIME.
RECALIBRATED PRESSURE SENSOR AND CLEARED FAULT CODES
8250 mi
Replaced faulty fuel system pressure sensor, which prevented automatic opening of fuel flap. Replaced faulty fuel system pressure sensor, which prevented automatic opening of fuel flap.
9000 mi
Fuel filler line routing problem led to recall to install clip to prevent rubbing and possible leak.
168-horsepower Electric + Gas 1-speed automatic RWD
8000 mi
O2 sensor replaced.
83000 mi
US $3800
compressor for car battery pack(preventing battery overheating)
and required for car climate control
priced quoted with large discount
68200 mi
C $4000
2 fuel injectors and oxygen sensor
6000 mi
Check Engine Light active. Resolved by software update.
9000 mi
EME failed, caused damage to HV batteries. All batteries replaced and EME replaced
12000 mi
CEL showing. Ignition coils and sparkplugs replaced.
14300 mi
CEL showing, REx motor too sensitive to type of gas plus altitude. Engine re-set, adjusted.
20000 mi
CEL illujinated. O2 sensors replaced
Recall performed to fix motor mount bolts
25100 mi
CEL for cylinder 1 misfire
28000 mi
CEL for Cylinder 1 misfire
28800 mi
On board battery charger replaced, car firmware updated.
8000 mi
CEL light intermittently on, dealer replaced several ignition parts. Ignition coil and spark plug replaced on one cylinder.
33000 mi
Replaced EME to fix drivetrain malfunction error
11000 mi
Check engine light. Ignition coil replaced.
19000 mi
Charger lock was defective, requiring replacement
28000 mi
Fuel system wouldn't depressurize and open the fuel door when commanded.
78000 mi
US $888
Fan relay was replaced, plus oil change
25000 mi
The REX engine would not turn on during the first use of ownership. Dealer replaced a module to make it turn on properly when the HV battery was depleted. and they replaced a HV battery module.
38000 mi
The HV battery had a complete failure, it is actually still at the BMW dealer for repair. They stated it would take 3 to 4 weeks to diagnose. I live in central FL ad they will have to have a technician log into the i3 from Germany to find out what is wrong. So complete battery failure. First got a warning that the Drive Train was not operable.
7000 mi
faulty lambda sensor faulty high voltage charging cable Faulty electronics control board on electric motor Replacement electric motor mounting bolts
22000 mi
Incorrect oil change procedure led to engine bay being covered in half of the engines oil content, causing white smoke and smell. Car had to be returned to servicing dealer on tow truck for steam clean and new oil filter.
42000 mi
£302
Fuel pump solenoid faulty
45000 mi
£60
car accelerated when foot lifted off accelerator. Two occurences. Unable to replicate or detect after diagnostic check. Very worrying.
48000 mi
£120
Fuel tank pressure sensor required recalibration.
4000 mi
Check engine light was on. Replaced ignition coil under warranty.
6000 mi
Check engine light was on. Replaced ignition coil.
7000 mi
Check engine light on. Fuel injectors leaking. Crankcase vent hoses failed. Replaced fuel injectors and vent hoses.
7500 mi
Winter tires that BMW indicated were allowable caused an error in the regenerative braking. Error partially to fully disables regenerative braking after engaging it.
7000 mi
Check engine light on.
10000 mi
US $1075
Fuel intake flap failed and would not open.
7000 mi
US $70
On-board charger recall and software update.
9000 mi
EV drive software. Recall for software update solved problem.
Fuel pressure sensor would fail to depressurize the tank, so fuel door would not open. Part was replaced.
34000 mi
Wiring harness on engine needed to be replaced
4200 mi
Complete drive train failure. Car dead in garage in AM. Would not display Ready, come out of Park nor move. Tripped home breaker, stopped charge. Flat bed to dealer. Dlr repl whole battery pack, 12v battery, contactor, EME module
14600 mi
The charging rate on Level 2 (240 Volts) on my home charger dropped to half speed during an overnight charge. My electrical monitor documented drop of charging rate from 6.8 kW to 3.4 kW. Check Engine light came on. All subsequent charging efforts showed the same reduced charging rate. The check engine light came on, associated with the charging rate failure documented in another report for this date.
54000 mi
Replace of lambda sensor on the Range extender
1300 mi
Vehicle was experiencing intermittent charging errors
6000 mi
REX engine would shutdown after running for short period. Dealer determined sealed cooling system was low on coolant.
6000 mi
Software update to fix charging system issue
Rex engine failed again. Dealer determined water pump was leaking which required a complete removal of the REX engine. Had to order parts from Germany.
