2014 BMW I3 REX Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 23%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 BMW I3 REX, 23% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,100 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rex (range extender) on my i3 does not turn on, at random, when the battery level of the vehicle gets to a point that is low enough for it to turn on. When this happens, the vehicle experiences a sudden and violent loss of speed with no warning. This has, on more than one occasion, nearly caused an accident while in traffic. The Bmw dealership has confirmed this is an issue in my vehicle and has successfully been able to reproduce it on more than one occasion. It has been 'fixed' on more than one occasion as well. The vehicle still experiences this issue intermittently with no warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #11175779, filed 2019-02, 33,100 miles“Driving on interstate 5 in encinitas, the i3 showed an electrical error. Within a few minutes, I get a slew of errors, battery can't charge, discharge at high rate, drive train malfunction....until it said idrive system shutting down... I was barely able to get the car to the side of the freeway before all systems shut down completely. 5 minutes later, the car started, and I was able to take it the dealer. The car has been at the dealer being diagnosed since (approximately 2 weeks). They have replaced the 12v battery and the eme.”
NHTSA complaint #10606720, filed 2014-06, 1,200 miles“This car is extremely dangerous. 'the eme malfunction happened the first day that I drove the car after purchasing. Not long after I started driving in the morning the computer said that the rex wasn't working. About 40 minutes later on my trip, the computer said that the car was performing maintenance on the rex. In the evening while driving home, the computer said that the battery was discharging, and then the car lost power on the freeway. I was able to get it to start again after some time. This was particularly scary at the time as I had my 18 month grandson in the back seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10956973, filed 2017-02, 43,000 miles“The car, while driving on a 2 lane road, ceased it operation announcing it had drive train failure. Luckily I was slowing for a light, as the steering and brakes also became unresponsive. The car could be manually turned off (the remaining functions and power off). It then could be turned back on and driven. In other words, the car decided to go off line while in a state of engagement with the road and the driver.”
NHTSA complaint #11193570, filed 2019-04, 26,000 miles“The contact owns a 2014 BMW I3 Hybrid. The contact stated that after charging the vehicle overnight the next morning the vehicle climate control was activated and moments later smoke was present inside the vehicle coming from the front passenger side air vent. After exiting the vehicle flames were seen coming from the front passenger side air vent and the vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A fire report was taken at the scene. …”
NHTSA complaint #11513646, filed 2023-03, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249027Jan 11, 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…
- 10193496Feb 5, 2017The vehicle may exhibit any of the following at very low State of Charge (SOC) ? less than 8%: - Power loss or high voltage system shutdown while running range extender (REx)…
- 10057565Dec 1, 2014Bmw: monitor of isolation resistance to ensure separation of hv+ or hv- and vehicle ground and not let it drop below predetermined threshold, causing drivetrain malfunction check…
- 10057563Dec 1, 2014Bmw: vehicle programmed; actual range vehicle capable of achieving to full charge not changed due to instrument cluster showing range lower than prior update of software.
- 10057537Dec 1, 2014Bmw: level 2 charge will cause vehicle to increase charging time due to convenience charging electronics (kle), with faulty fitted capacitor.
- 10057536Oct 1, 2014Bmw: high voltage battery fails to charge above certain state when performing vehicle pdi and causes led ring around charge port to blink red.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2014 BMW I3 REX
11 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 BMW I3 REX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology