2019 BMW I3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 31%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2019 BMW I3, 31% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 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.
“Lost power steering as I was leaving my house, making car very difficult to control. Thinking I had a flat tire, I turned around and returned home. Shut down the car, checked the tires (they were fine), restarted it, and power steering returned. This happened twice within a few days.”
NHTSA complaint #11390882, filed 2021-01, 7,400 miles“Steering has been normal until now. Suddenly on two occasions after stopping at a light it was hard to make a left turn. Steering felt as if tire pressure was low. Pressure was not low. This is first time this has occurred. Discovered this is a common complaint on internet searches. Have not driven I3 again since incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11290836, filed 2019-12, 6,000 miles“This is an electric vehicle. I experienced a sudden loss of all power while traveling on the interstate in heavy traffic. I nearly lost control of the vehicle as it would not respond to my inputs. I had to cross two lanes of dense interstate traffic to get to a safe area to pull over and it was terrifying because the car just suddenly shut down while traveling at highway speeds. The dealership that I had the car towed to did some diagnostic work and said that EME had failed. The EME is the main processor that controls all electrical functions in the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11737149, filed 2026-05Related 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…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2019 BMW I3
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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