2018 BMW I3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 21%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2018 BMW I3, 21% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,500 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.
“It's my 7th month driving brand new 2018 I3 bev. After got off the work today, the july 25th, 2019, the car started pulling to the left. I had no problem I thought I had a flat so I checked the tire pressure monitor and it was just fine. I realized that the steering wheel got heavier than usual and quite difficult to turn. It wouldn't stay center but kept moving to the left while being really heavy. Even on the flat pavement. I checked online and there are a lot of people complaining about this very issue with I3. …”
NHTSA complaint #11234935, filed 2019-07, 6,500 miles“On two occasions the power steering failed while i was driving, once several months ago and again last Wednesday. Fortunately i was driving on surface streets close to home. i parked the car for twenty minutes and upon starting it the problem seemed to be gone. After the first occurance i went to the dealer and they said they knew nothing about the problem. I also called BMW USA.... again they knew nothing. The second time, last week, i took the car to the dealer again and they located a software update. …”
NHTSA complaint #11529897, filed 2023-07“Hello , I am owning a BMW i3REX (2018). Recently like many other users experienced multiple times the loss of power steering after starting the vehicle. While previous events like this were short lived and resolved with stopping, turning off and on the vehicle, this time it was on entering a highway, where the car suddenly lost its power steering and could not be driven properly. I had to exit , switched the car off and restart after a couple of minutes, which resolved this problem completely. …”
NHTSA complaint #11468829, filed 2022-06Related service bulletins
- 10190849Mar 1, 2021STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering control is never lost…
- 10186218Dec 1, 2020?SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE: The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering control is never lost…
- 10174023Apr 1, 2020CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES FOR BRAKE SUSPENSION AND AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: Multiple check control messages (CCM) can display for brake suspension and air bag system malfunction.
- 10174008Apr 1, 2020SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B32 11 19 dated October 2019. The driver notices a reduction of steering…
- 10171488Jan 1, 2020Power-assisted Steering Intermittently Not Available at Engine Start-up: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B32 02 14 dated November 2016. The…
- 10167995Oct 1, 2019SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE. The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering control is never lost…
- 10161550May 1, 2019The electrical machine electronics (EME) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) may not have been produced to specifications. In the event that the EME detects this condition it will shut…
- 10136339Mar 1, 2018NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE WHEN STEERING: Chattering or squeaking noise is heard (refer to attached video https://tinyurl.com/y9kwrucl ) from the front axle under the following…
- 10146764Sep 1, 2017Grating or Scraping Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. There is a grating or scraping noise when the steering wheel is turned. The noise comes from the steering column switch…
- 10150907Jan 1, 2016Steering wheel rubs/brushes against the steering column trim. When the steering wheel is moved, it rubs/brushes against the steering column trim. CAUSE Rear steering wheel trim.
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 BMW I3
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 BMW I3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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