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SteeringPart report

2015 BMW I3 Steering Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
32%of 47 total for the year
Median mileage
30,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 2015 BMW I3, 32% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2015 I3 rex just had the steering get really heavy as if I had a flat and it pulled to the left. It was difficult to center the steering as if the power steering had failed. This is a known issue on various internet forums for this model, but it is intermittent and therefore hard to duplicate for the service department. After letting the car sit for a while, it was back to normal the next time I drove it.”

NHTSA complaint #11300225, filed 2020-01, 40,000 miles

“My 2015 I3 just had the steering get really heavy as if I had a flat and it pulled to the right. It was difficult to center the steering as if the power steering had failed. This is a known issue on various internet forums for this model, but it is intermittent and therefore hard to duplicate for the service department. After letting the car sit for a while, it was back to normal the next time I drove it.”

NHTSA complaint #11256750, filed 2019-09, 41,000 miles

“I am reporting a recurring issue with the steering wheel. The vehicle was in motion, on a city street, going straight. When the issue happened, the steering wheel turned to the left noticeably by itself and it took force by hand to correct it so the car could go straight. This created a safety risk concern to the driver. I feel the affected components likely are the steering wheel and electronics system. Below is a more detailed description: in march, the steering wheel turned left slightly by itself after the car was started. …”

NHTSA complaint #11118210, filed 2018-08, 16,779 miles

“The I3's power steering went out causing the car to pull to the left resulting in me driving into oncoming traffic and almost off the road. (low speed, 15mph). Using force, I was able to turn the steering wheel, without the usual power steering assistance, straightening out the vehicle's direction and got me on the correct side of the road. The car was very difficult to steer. Additionally, the steering wheel was also moving by itself causing the car to drift to the right. Straighten out the wheel again and it would turn itself to the right again. …”

NHTSA complaint #11220458, filed 2019-06, 30,000 miles

“In last 4 weeks, on two occasions steering became very stiff a & hard to turn. Both times the steering was very stiff immediately when car started to move forward. In first occurrence, after leaving parking lot under 10 miles/hour, I drove 25-30 miles/hour in city traffic (straight streets), then drove up to 65-70 miles/hour on interstate 95 (mostly straight ahead driving). In the second occurrence, after starting the vehicle, I reversed straight out of the drimveway at about 5-10 miles/hour. I didn't hit any manhole covers or significant uneveness in either case.”

NHTSA complaint #11253939, filed 2019-09, 38,600 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019431%
2018321%
20171121%
2016824%
20151532%
2014713%

Other parts of the 2015 BMW I3

Air bags
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 BMW I3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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