Love it or hate it, BMW’s brand new electric hatchback, the i3 is one car you won’t mistake for anything else. This polarising outlook coupled with the fact the electric revolution is in its nascent stages could be the reason why it didn’t receive all the limelight it deserved. People who do buy electric cars praise them for their low maintenance and trouble-free attribute compared to fossil burners. The BMW i3 is not too far off from that aspect. Unlike its hybrid counterpart, the complaints on its name have been on the lower side, and recalls have been mostly for safety issues that aren’t isolated to this specific vehicle model. Electric cars are generally reliable and cheap to run, that is unless there is something wrong with the main battery. Even then, BMW’s class-leading battery warranty package should have you covered, or they say. So, should you be buying the i3 for $44,450? Is it any better around cheaper options like the Nissan Leaf, the Honda Fit EV, and the Ford Focus EV? Let’s find out.
2014 BMW i3 Hatchback Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?
2014 BMW i3 Hatchback User Complaints and Problems
Electric System complaints
- Charging issues- Battery charging issues are something to watch out for on the 2014 BMW i3. Usual complaints are the car not detecting the charger when plugged into the battery status not increasing even though it mentions as charging. The most commonly seen issues are with the battery management system and the charger cable.
- Range extender issue- Switching from the primary battery to the range extender unit causes the vehicle to suddenly lose acceleration and goes into limp mode. A class-action lawsuit has been registered against BMW for employing such an unsafe system in the vehicles.
- Steering assist failure- Power steering failure is the most commonly reported complaint against the 2014 BMW i3 as per the NHTSA. Owners report the steering losing power assist while driving and also self-centering feature. The unit regains normal function after the vehicle has been turned off for a while. Though the dealer has been made aware of this issue, it has been unresolved as the issue could not be replicated.
Safety Complaints
- Airbags- Frontal passenger airbag issues are pretty common in the 2014 BMW i3. Multiple crash events where the airbag failed to deploy have been recorded by the NHTSA, with 3 counts of occupant injuries. BMW is aware of this issue and has rolled out two separate recalls (IDs- 14V422000, 15V628000) in the following years to replace the faulty equipment.
2014 BMW i3 Hatchback Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
16th November 2017 |
17V720000 |
Excessive neck tension-extension force |
Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. |
The dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 8, 2018. |
|
2 |
9th February 2017 |
17V088000 |
The fuel vent line may chafe and leak fuel vapor |
The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
The dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replace it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2017. |
|
3 |
7th October 2015 |
15V628000 |
Passenger frontal airbag may not deploy properly |
Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal airbag may not deploy properly in a low-speed crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
The dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. |
|
4 |
14th July 2014 |
14V422000 |
Frontal passenger airbag improper deployment |
Affected vehicles have an airbag inflator that was not assembled correctly during manufacturing, causing it to not deploy properly in the event of a crash and increasing the risk of injury. |
The dealers will replace the front passenger-side airbag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. |
Should you buy a used 2014 BMW i3 Hatchback?
The BMW i3 is a rather new product and as far as we can tell, is not at the right stage of its life where a complete validation of reliability can be carried out. As for the year or so, it has existed, it turns out to be a rather reliable option, only showcasing a handful of resolvable electrical glitches. If the primary battery performs as well as the automaker advertises it to, the experience is more or less seamless. Even if underperforms, the extended warranty policies on the battery are something that should offer peace of ownership. However, the fly in the ointment here is the 113-mile range, which would be a big deal-breaker for most here, making it hard for us to recommend it to anyone. For those who have pockets deep enough to afford a 44 grand hatchback as a secondary grocery-getter, this might be a fun option.
