2016 BMW I3 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 30%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,872miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the body and structure of the 2016 BMW I3, 30% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,872 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.
“Rear hatch glass shattered at tail lights. 2nd time in less than a year. Glass is not replaceable, so whole hatch assembly needs to be installed. Very poor design and wasteful. Around 2000.00 to fix”
NHTSA complaint #11138912, filed 2018-10, 8,744 miles“The roof is bubbling and peeling up. Water gets in it when it rains, then it bubbles greatly. BMW won’t fix it, repair shops don’t want to fix it because it’s an obscure roof. They recommend I take it to BMW which won’t fix it (roof replacement suggested). I just bought this car and drive it as normal, and the special carbon fiber roof is degrading too fast.”
NHTSA complaint #11548761, filed 2023-10“My carbon fiber composite roof is delaminating and separating. There is a risk that the degradation of the roof will become so bad that it will separate off my car while driving and may hit another car. This is a common problem with bmw i3 roofs. It is crazy that the entire roof panel can structurally fail but because it isn’t steel/rust bmw isn’t worried about it.”
NHTSA complaint #11539176, filed 2023-08“The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact heard a whistling sound, and the roof detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 19,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11539150, filed 2023-08, 19,000 miles“The carbon fiber roof of my 2016 BMW i3 REx is really starting to bubble and wrinkle. After taking it to two shops any mitigation would cost hundreds of dollars to address. The roof is starting to peel and am worried about water getting to the car. BMW should have engineered these roofs differently. They should be responsible to cost associated with fixing them.”
NHTSA complaint #11539515, filed 2023-08Related service bulletins
- 10164003Jul 1, 2019SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN OPERATING THE SIDE WINDOWS: A squeaking noise is heard when operating either side window. Interference between the side window glass and the B-Pillar seal.
- 10160343Apr 1, 2019OUTER DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. One or both front outer door handles are loose. Improper tightening torque during vehicle production.
- 10160260Apr 1, 2019OUTER DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. One or both front outer door handles are loose. Improper tightening torque during vehicle production.
- 10142933Jan 1, 2018TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS: Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked.
- 10147022Aug 1, 2016TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked. Trunk/tailgate may open while the vehicle is in motion. Usually after stopping, such as a traffic…
- 10151356Jun 1, 2016Service Action: Replace the Motor Mount Screws. A sudden loss of traction while accelerating sharply may damage the engine mounts.
- 10151134Feb 1, 2016"A Delivery Stop has been issued on i01 (i3 Battery Electric Vehicle) produced from December 09, 2015 to January 22, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with a sunroof as part of…
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 BMW I3
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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