BMW i8 Recalls (2014-2020)
The BMW i8 has been the subject of 6 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2014 to 2020 model years. They cluster mostly around the electrical system, hybrid propulsion system, and equipment.
The BMW i8 scores 72 out of 100 (grade B), a better-than-average recall record. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 83% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 6 campaigns span 5 model years of the BMW i8. The single largest affected 4,509 vehicles, over electrical system. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common i8 problems owners report.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the BMW i8 may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
BMW i8 recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
BMW i8 recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2020 BMW i8 Recalls
1 recall affects the 2020 BMW i8, involving the electrical system.
2019 BMW i8 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2019 BMW i8, involving the electrical system, hybrid propulsion system, and equipment.
2015 BMW i8 Recalls
1 recall affects the 2015 BMW i8, involving the electronic stability control (esc).
Every BMW i8 recall in detail
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2020 BMW i8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,509
- Reported
- Sep 30, 2020
- Owners notified
- Nov 24, 2020
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Remedy: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign number 20V601000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2019 BMW i8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 139
- Reported
- Aug 14, 2019
- Owners notified
- Oct 11, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles. A circuit board problem within the Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module may shutdown the supply of high-voltage electrical power.
Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EME module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign number 19V599000.
Equipment
- Affected years
- 2019 BMW i8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 3,501
- Reported
- Sep 20, 2018
- Owners notified
- Feb 22, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign number 18V652000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2017 BMW i8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 3,506
- Reported
- Dec 20, 2016
- Owners notified
- Feb 10, 2017
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign number 16V914000.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Affected years
- 2015 BMW i8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 16
- Reported
- Dec 28, 2015
- Owners notified
- Feb 8, 2016
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 i8 vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Improperly drilled holes within the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) hydraulic unit may restrict one or more pistons impairing the DSC functions, including braking.
Risk: Impaired DSC functionality may negatively impact vehicle handling and braking and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the DSC hydraulic unit, and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign number 15V882000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2014 BMW i8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 223
- Reported
- Oct 27, 2014
- Owners notified
- Dec 16, 2014
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 i8 vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2014, to September 16, 2014. A bolt used to attach a ground cable between the tank and the vehicle chassis may not have been properly welded during manufacturing.
Risk: An inadequate weld of the bolt to the fuel tank could cause a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could lead to a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank if necessary, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA campaign number 14V674000.
Common questions about BMW i8 recalls
- Does the BMW i8 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on record for the BMW i8 across the 2014 to 2020 model years. The most common areas are the electrical system, hybrid propulsion system, and equipment.
- How many times has the BMW i8 been recalled?
- The BMW i8 has 6 recall campaigns from the 2014 to 2020 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious BMW i8 recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the electrical system, affecting 4,509 vehicles. The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
- Which BMW i8 model year has the most recalls?
- The 2019 BMW i8 has the most, with 2 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my BMW i8 has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.