2014 BMW I3 REX Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 27%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,195miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2014 BMW I3 REX, 27% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,195 miles.
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“I test drove a Bmw i3. I got into trouble because they forgot to charge it up completely when I drove it. Almost died. Consumer reports describes it all better than I can: a new lawsuit alleges that Bmw i3 electric cars can suddenly slow down when their battery power is low, potentially putting passengers in dangerous situations. Filed tuesday in u.s. District court in los angeles, the class-action suit alleges that the i3's 'range extender feature ... Doesn't produce enough power to prevent a dramatic decrease in the vehicle's performance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10869984, filed 2016-05, 1,190 miles“I bought Bmw I-3 in 9/14. It ran fine until last weekend in nov. On sat. 11/29/14 we were driving on I-5 north at about gorman exit car went on gas extender and all of sudden speed dropped from 60-65 miles to 30 miles and below and will not go faster than that on freeway despite me flooring the gas pedal. We took next exit of frazier park driving in right most lane with hazard lights on and all the way upto pine mountain club same thing happened. We charged the car overnight to full capacity and drove back to porter ranch next day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10676147, filed 2015-01, 1,000 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“Bmw should immediately recall or warn drivers abut the i3 range extender model. Someone could be killed or seriously injured in an accident caused by a deadly flaw in the car that I experienced. Yesterday morning, the battery was low in power and I was in rex mode and driving up the conejo grade returning to la from santa barbara. I was traveling about 65 miles per hour in the fast lane. I am not sure about the precise speed because I was driving into the sun and the cruise control would not operate (see below). Suddenly, and without warning, the car lost power. …”
NHTSA complaint #10648816, filed 2014-10, 2,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058161Dec 1, 2014Bmw model i01( i3 and i3rex): bulletin information replacing faulty convenience charging electronics (kle) could cause increased vehicle charging times.
- 10058160Oct 1, 2014Bmw i01(i3 and i3 rex) : information regarding cause of high-voltage battery stop charging, in some cases the battery will not charge above 34% even out of transport mode.
- 10058159Oct 1, 2014Bmw i01(i3 and i3 rex: information regarding customer concerns of intermittent charging failures or no charging at all.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2014 BMW I3 REX
11 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 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