BMW i3 2014 — Reported problems

The carbon fiber roof is delaminating and a portion of it came off and hit the front windshield of another car, causing them to partially lose control of their vehicle almost causing an accident. This is a known issue BMW has not taken an action to resolve it. I’m afraid that a larger chunk may hit somebody’s car and cause a severe accident.

A large portion of the car's hood (carbon laminate?) has ripped off and is surely to continue to tear and fly off while driving.

When the vehicle depletes it's battery and switches over to the range extender or the gas engine, the car will suddenly shut off and a drivetrain error appears. This seems to only happen when the car is traveling over 55 mph. This has happened on repeated occasions. If you then leave the car sit for several minutes and then turn it back on, it is driveable as long as it is driven under 55 mph. Since this only happens at higher speeds, it's been extremely dangerous because other cars are also traveling at high speeds and this has happened once on a freeway where the speed limit was 70 mph. If there's no shoulder to guide the car onto when this happens, the car would be disabled on the road because it will not drive again right away. I've taken it in to fix and the mechanic said it was a software update that was needed. However, the problem happened again a few months later. There was no warning before this happened both times it occurred.

AC Compressor for the car battery system failed. There was a check engine light that was on steady, but not flashing. The electric range in the car reduced by 20 to 30% as a result of this fault. It was brought into the BMW dealership for inspection and they determined that was a short in the AC compressor and that the whole AC compressor system would need to be replaced; compressor, lines and radiatorx2 (battery radiator also needed). This was because this typical failure causes metal filings to enter the cooling system and it's not recommended to flush it out. There were no prior warnings or noise leading up to the problem. I'm concerned that there is a high risk that further driving the vehicle or charging it could cause a battery failure and cause it to catch on fire since there is no cooling. Normally a flashing engine light means to stop driving immediately, but there was no flashing light only a steady light. The BWM system check menu reported no issue with the car! The repair bill for this is about $8,400 and is rediculous. This seems to be a common problem when you start searching for it. Seems to also happen to the BMW i8 which shares the same compressor. Note that there are several revisions to the ac compressor part number which seems to suggest that they had to keep changing the part as production went on but did not notify affected cars that they could have a serious problem. This shouldn't be happening at 77k miles.

I am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue I have been facing with my 2014 BMW i3, VIN: [XXX] . Unfortunately, I have been experiencing an airbag and/or seatbelt alert problem identified as "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" with the error code 930904 displayed on the dashboard. I have attached supporting documentation, including images and information from the BMW Service Bulletin, which clearly outlines that the error code 930904 is a known and routine problem for my specific vehicle model, thus a Service Bulletin was issued by BMW, as you can see attached from BMW’s website. It has come to my attention, through online forums and discussions within the BMW i3 community, that others have successfully resolved this issue under the terms of the service bulletin, but for some reason I keep getting the runaround. Regrettably, despite my efforts to address this matter with BMW USA on three separate occasions since October 2023, I have not received a satisfactory resolution. Instead, I have been redirected to BMW Authorized Dealerships, where I am faced with unjustifiable diagnostic fees and repair costs. It is perplexing to me that other members of the BMW community have had their issues resolved under the service bulletin at no cost, while I am being subjected to unnecessary expenses. To provide you with a clear overview: 1. The error code 930904 is documented in the BMW Service Bulletin for my 2014 BMW i3 REX. 2. Other BMW i3 owners have successfully had this issue resolved under warranty through the service bulletin. 3. BMW USA and its authorized dealerships have been uncooperative in acknowledging and addressing this known issue. I visited my local BMW dealership in Rochester, NY, on 10-10-23, only to be informed that they could not locate the referenced code and insisted on charging me a diagnostic fee and an additional $1,800 for the repair. Are you kidding me? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am writing regarding an ongoing issue I am having with BMW North America and their dealerships concerning a faulty airbag in my 2014 BMW i3 electric vehicle (VIN #: [XXX] ). On multiple occasions in October 2023, BMW North America informed me that the "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" alert in my vehicle could be repaired under a Service Action extension (code SIB010818/DC3234908400) that covers airbag issues in vehicles under 10 years old and 100,000 miles. See pictures of the issue/alert on dash attached. However, when I brought my vehicle to two local BMW dealerships (in Rochester and Syracuse, NY), they either claimed the Service Action code did not exist or that I would need to pay a diagnostic fee of $250 AND $1,800 to fix the airbag and seatbelt issue out of pocket, despite BMW North America saying this should be covered. As a disabled person on a fixed income, I cannot afford to gamble hundreds of dollars on diagnostic fees when BMW North America has already provided the Service Action code that should cover the necessary airbag repair. This is not only a financial burden but a safety concern, as I am being forced to drive a vehicle with a known airbag defect. I am reaching out to request your help resolving this issue with BMW as this issue with my BMW i3 is VERY routine and all over the internet and the BMW i3 forums as BMW clearly failed its very basic duties in protecting USA consumers with this vehicle and its numerous issues. Airbags and seatbelts are NOT issues consumers should have to gamble with due to the failures of BMW in properly producing a vehicle that would avoid such serious problems as clearly prevalent to a lot of owners of this make and model. I look forward to your assistance in this urgent matter. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car roof is delaminating.

Roof is bubbling showing signs of delamination. Structural integrity is in question. I believe it is due to the carbon fiber epoxy material degrading due to sunlight exposure.

While driving through a parking lot at slow speeds on 6/24/2023 around 6:30 pm in Phoenix AZ, I noticed the steering felt very heavy and the car pulled hard to the left. While driving slowly down a driveway, I checked the air pressure data and found all 4 tires at recommended levels. I drove 15 miles to my home below the speed limit while wrestling with the steering wheel, thinking that the power to the steering system had somehow failed. Some quick online research upon my return revealed that this problem is not unusual, but can be resolved by turning the car off and then back on again. Following this procedure solved the issue, but leaves me with uncertainty as to when it may happen again.

Light shows on dash for airbag. I took to the dealership and they said there was a problem and needed to be replaced. The airbag was defective.

The steering becomes sluggish, hard to turn back to center. Seems as though I had a flat front tire. This was not the case. I restarted car then no longer had the problem. This has happened twice. Once to my wife and then myself.

RANGE extender intermittintly doesnt start when electric is low cause dangerous loss of complete power . exacerbated by the fact that it becomes nearly impossible for two people to push in neutral on level ground .

I purchased my 2014 BMW i3 from Canada in 2019. It was imported from the U.S and still is registered in the U.S. I brought it into the BMW dealership in Vancouver BC shortly after to do a vehicle inspection. At that time, the dealer printed out a list of defect codes/recalls. It also said that they were done and marked "yes" completed. Fast forward to 2022, I bring my car into the same dealer and they said there is a recall not completed to replace the convenience charging electronics KLE and that they would fix for free. My car was not starting and we thought it could have caused the issue. They also noted at that time that the engine mount screws are now split and need to be replaced. I then discovered it was part of an open recall but when I asked about this, they said the recall closed in 2016 and I would now be responsible to replace this part for $3400+ even though it was a known defective BMW part. Upon further research, the initial part replaced was deemed not good enough and the part was upgraded to aluminum (it is currently a plastic mount bracket). I have tried requesting again for them to complete the recall work but they said they told me: " Yes, there was a recall but it was completed in 2016 in san fran by the looks of it. (<--I don't think it was actually completed) "I can't claim it since its done unfortunately... there is no way for me to claim this to you either as the repairs done more than 2 years ago and the car is out of warrant for 4 years. So BMW will just see it as just wear and tear. I tried to see of any ways I could assist you but there isn't a way for me to claim this with BMW" So my issue, and why I am writing you is that they claim the part has been completed but it has not, it is still the original bracket and screw mount. Plus they admitted they still needed to replace the charging electronics when this was apparently also marked as completed. I suspect someone lied about the recall work being done in San Francisco.

Car had all warning light came on one day. We brought to a local dealer and they told me it was due to 12V battery was not charging. 1. I asked to a service rep if 12V battery could be issue w/o full diagnostic which they charged me extra. He said they needed to do it to figure out. 2. After replacing the battery, it still had error message. After a few days, I was told car needs software update to clear error message related 12V battery. I requested this should be repaired by BMW or their dealers without any cost to me, but rep told me it was not free. I don't simply understand why consumer is responsible for paying to repair software defect.

I've had to replace the engine motor mount bolts twice in 3 years

UNBELTED SMALL ADULT CAN INCREASE NECK INJURY. FRONT AIR BAG MUST BE UPDATED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW I3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED MALFUNCTION IN POWER TRAIN WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER AT BMW OF FORT LAUDERDALE (2601 S. ANDREWS AVE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316, (877) 853-3109) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELEMENTS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V599000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

THE WARNING MESSAGE (SHOWN IN THE PHOTO PROVIDED) APPEARED LAST NIGHT AROUND 8:00 PM.

THE LEFT BRACKET FOR THE ELECTRIC ENGINE IS CRACKED AND THE DEALER WANTS SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FOR A REPLACEMENT ONE WHICH HAPPENS TO BE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED FROM A CHEAP PLASTIC PART WHICH EQUIPS MY CAR TO A MORE STUDY AND IMPROVED ONE FOR THE LATEST MODELS OF THE SAME MAKE. AS I DID SOME RESEARCH THE SAME ISSUE WAS SUBJECTED TO A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL IN EUROPE. HERE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED SO THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME A HEFTY FEE FOR WHAT IS BASICALLY A REPAIR TO A MANUFACTURER'S RECOGNIZED DESIGN FLAW. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS CAR WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE WHICH CAN BE FAILED TO BE IDENTIFIED OR WILL BALK AT THE PRICE TAG OF THE CHANGE. IF THE BRACKET FAILS THE WHOLE ENGINE AND DRIVESHAFT WILL DROP AND INTERFERE WITH REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL. THE REPLACEMENT BRACKET IS ALUMINIUM VS THE ORIGINAL ONE IN PLASTIC SO THEY ARE TRYING TO QUICKLY SWEEP THIS DESIGN FLAW UNDER THE RUG. THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC CRASHES OF THIS TYPE OF CAR IN THE PAST DUE TO IT BUT CROSSING MY FINGERS IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THE PICTURES I INCLUDE SHOW WHERE THE REPLACEMENT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. #3 IS WHERE THE CRACK IS AND I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO I CAN SUBMIT IF NEEDED.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WITH TRAFFIC. THE MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN IN MY CAR STATED DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION STOP AND TURN OFF ENGINE DO NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.

SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING FEELS HARD TO TURN. SEEMS LIKE STEERING WANT TO REMAIN CENTERED OR OVERLY TURNS SUDDENLY AT LOW SPEED. VERY RANDOM. I LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES STORED IN VEHICLE.

I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING TO ME OR OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES PUTTING MY SAFETY AND OTHER'S SAFETY AT GREAT RISK. ON MAY 20, 2020, I WAS STOPPED ON A RED LIGHT AT NECKEL RD TO CROSS HIGHWAY 86 IN IMPERIAL CA. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I RELEASED THE BREAK PEDAL AND NORMALLY ACCELERATED. SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 86 AND PUT ITSELF IN THE PARK POSITION SHOWING "DRIVE TRAIN FAULT" ALARM. IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR'S TRAFFIC AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT IT TO NEUTRAL POSITION TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY. WITH VEHICLES TRAFFIC MOVING AROUND ME, I TURN MY CAR OFF AND ON THREE TIMES, WITH ABOUT TEN SECONDS IN BETWEEN OFF AN ON, BEFORE THE ALARM WOULD RESET. ONCE THE ALARM CLEARED, I ABORTED MY SHORT TRIP AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BACK HOME SAFELY BUT I AM CONCERN THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME AT HIGHER SPEEDS PUTTING MY SAFETY AND OTHERS' SAFETY AT RISK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES / COMPLAINS WITH THIS VEHICLES AND WHAT IS BMW DOING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

WHEN THE DRIVETRAIN FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE MOTOR FAILS, THEN LOCKS UP IN PARK. YOU CONNOT THEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. EVEN THE TOWTRUCK NEEDS DOLLIES TO GET REAR WHEELS OFF THE GROUND. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE STATIONARY, AND SEVERAL TIMES ON THE ROAD. IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO ROLL TO SHOULDER, IT COULD HAVE CREATED AN ACCIDENT. THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO GET TO ZNEUTRAL.

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I ACCELERATED THE REAR OF THE CAR FELT LIKE IT GOT REAR ENDED. I WALKED AROUND THE CAR, NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT DROVE FINE UP TO 40 MPH, THEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT MADE A RRRR SOUND. THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT SNAPPED.

WHILE PULLING ONTO THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED PULLING STRONGLY TOWARDS THE LEFT AND WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. IT HAD VERY HEAVY DIFFICULT STEERING. IT FELT ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING I'VE FELT IN THE TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND 'GOOGLED' I3 DIFFICULT STEERING AND CAME ACROSS MULTIPLE FORUM POSTS AND DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS THE I3 POWER STEERING CAN RANDOMLY STOP WORKING AND THEN RETURNS WITH AN IGNITION CYCLE. I LOCKED THE CAR, WENT IN A STORE FOR 5 MINUTES, AND NORMAL STEERING RESUMED WHEN I DROVE AWAY. ONE BECOMES USED TO THE WAY THEIR CAR DRIVES WHEN THEY DRIVE IT EVERY DAY. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING CHANGES DRASTICALLY IT SEEMS IT CAN BE AN ALARMING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW I3. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN JUNE OF 2019. IN EARLY AUGUST, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. WHILE BRAKING, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND HEARD A THUMPING SOUND AND THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW SEATTLE (1002 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134, (206) 829-5004) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET FRACTURED. THE ENGINE FELL AND PINCHED THE HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE TO APPEAR. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST OVER $5,000 TO REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,015.

INTERMITTENTLY, THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON. STEERING IS HEAVY AND SLOW. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON GENERALLY CORRECTS THIS FAULT. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. I DOCUMENTED BELOW APPROXIMATELY THE DATE OF THE FIRST EVENT.

IN SEVERAL OCCASION, A DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY. A "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" LIGHTS UP AND CAR STOPS AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR FOR A MINUTE THEN ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THE THIRD TIME I STARTED UP MY CAR AND THE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE LIGHT REMAINED AND THE CAR IS IMMOBILIZED. IT IS VERY ODD THAT A DRIVE TRAIN IS MALFUNCTIONED AFTER ONLY 39,000 MILES. I HAVE LEARNED THAT MOST OF THE DRIVE TRAIN ON THE I3 ARE OFTEN MALFUNCTION AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I HAVE A 2014 BASE MODEL AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAS GONE OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE THE 5 YEARS CAME BEFORE THE 50,000 MILES.

THE I3 REQUIRES FUNCTIONAL HV BATTERY COOLING TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND SAFELY. THE CAR USES A HEAT PUMP SYSTEM TO CONDITION THE HV BATTERIES. ON MY CAR, THE A/C SYSTEM (BATTERY CONDITIONING) FAILED WITH NO MESSAGE OR WARNING TO THE DRIVER. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE FOR $24,038.21 TO FIX THE CAR. THE INVOICE ALSO STATES "NOTE: VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE." HOW I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM THIS VEHICLE IS AN EARLY I3 WITH THE FAST-CHARGE SYSTEM INCLUDED. IN JULY, 2018, THE FAST-CHARGE FAILED TO WORK. I TRIED SEVERAL CHARGERS AND THEY ALL FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE THIS WAS IRRITATING, I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE BECAUSE FAST-CHARGING IS NOT A REQUIREMENT TO DRIVE THE CAR AND I DON'T USE IT OFTEN. I AM SPECULATING THAT THE A/C SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL AT THIS TIME, BUT I WAS GIVEN NO WARNING OR MESSAGE. IN THE FALL OF 2018, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A MUCH LOUDER MOTOR NOISE DURING PRE-CONDITIONING IN MY GARAGE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE IN FEB., 2019, A BMW DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (THE PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY DAY DURING PRE-CONDITIONING AND DRIVING). IN APRIL, 2019, I TURNED ON THE A/C AND DISCOVERED THE CABIN A/C DID NOT WORK. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A/C VALVE FAULTS, GRAY METALLIC DEBRIS, INSUFFICIENT REFRIGERANT (877G VS. REQUIRED 970G), AND ZERO (VS. REQUIRED 300G) REFRIGERANT OIL. ACCORDING TO BMW LITERATURE ( BMW TECHNICAL TRAINING, HEATING AND A/C SYSTEMS, P.43), "THESE QUANTITIES ARE CRUCIAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM........" THIS QUOTE REFERS TO THE QUANTITY OF REFRIGERANT IN THE SYSTEM OF THE BEV OR REX. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FROM BMW-ROCHESTER HILLS ON JUNE 1 WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION AND THE QUOTATION FOR REPAIRING THE SYSTEM. THE TRAINING MANUAL IS A LARGE FILE. I CAN SEND IT AS REQUIRED.

TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. FROM A STOP, THE ASSIST WILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY UNTIL 30MPH. FROM THEN ON, THERE WILL BE NO POWER ASSIST UNTIL COMING TO A FULL STOP. THE PATTERN REPEATS ITSELF FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, IT COULD TAKE DAYS OR MONTHS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. BMW STATES THEY "CAN NOT REPRODUCE". THIS SITUATION MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS.

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME HEAVY - NO LONGER SELF-CENTERING. THE CAR WOULD STILL GO WHERE I POINTED IT, BUT THE WHEEL WOULDN'T RETURN TO CENTER LIKE USUAL. IT FELT VERY STIFF. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL.

I WENT TO LEAVE WORK. UPON TURNING THE CAR ON I NOTICED 3 WARNINGS APPEAR WHICH REQUIRED ME TO READ THEM AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. THEY WERE ALL RELATED TO THE AUTO BRAKING/PEDESTRIAN WARNING SYSTEM. DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING STRANGE. I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SLIGHTLY COUNTERCLOCKWISE VERSUS NORMAL WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE CAR WAS RESPONDING STRANGE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE HIT A DIP OR RISE IN THE ROAD. THE REAR END FELT "LOOSER" THAN NORMAL. WHEN I GOT HOME I PARKED IT AND CALLED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER. THEY ARRANGED FOR A TOW. ONCE THE CAR GOT THERE THEY PUT IT UP ON A LIFT, THEY CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR "CONTROL ARM" (CASTER LINK) WAS BROKEN INTO 2 PIECES. THE CAR WAS BMW INSPECTED AND CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, WITH ONLY 9K MILES AND A CLEAN CARFAX. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ANY DAMAGE OR OF ANYTHING EVER TOUCHING THE CASTER LINK. ORIGINAL WHEELS, ORIGINAL TIRES.

WHEN THE VEHICLE ENTERS A 'FAULT' MODE, SUCH AS DRIVE MOTOR MALFUNCTION, THE CARS DISCONTINUES POWER TO THE DRIVE MOTOR, ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO ROLL TO A STOP, THEN ELECTRONICALLY PUTS THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. AS LONG AS THE FAULT CODE EXISTS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE PUSHED OR TOWED OUT OF HARMS WAY. I WAS ABOUT TO TURN ON TO A VERY BUSY 3-LANE [NO SHOULDER] HIGHWAY WHEN IT SHUT DOWN. NOT EVEN THE POLICE COULD ASSIST ME IN PUSHING IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. HAS I TURNED AND STARTED DOWN THAT ROAD AND THE VEHICLE THEN GONE INTO FAULT MODE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT WITH A MATTER OF MINUTES.NO OTHER VEHICLE I KNOW OF DOES NOT LET THE OWNER PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE OUR OUT OF HARMS WAY. THIS IS AN ALL ELECTRIC CAR SO THE DEALER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A SIMPLE PROGRAMMING CHANGE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER, HE REFERRED ME TO BMW NORTH AMERICA. I TALKED TO THEM AT LENGTH ON THE PHONE AND THEY HAVE NO WAY OF PASSING ON MY CONCERNS TO THE MANUFACTURER (BMW GERMANY).

THE DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE OR DOES NOT LATCH. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT UNLATCHES/OPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING AS WELL. BMW DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT REQUIRED OIL ON THE LATCH BUT THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND DRIVE AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

DECEMBER 6TH, 0650, I DROVE DOWN THE READY AVE NW IN FORT WALTON BEACH FL. I WAS DRIVING NORMAL - SPEED LIMIT 35 - WHEN I DROVE OVER A HUGE CUTOUT ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, NO CONES - NOTHING. JUST A BIG HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. FRONT RIGHT TIRE GOT SEVERE DAMAGE FROM THAT CUTOUT ON A ROAD AND MY CAR NEEDED ALIGNMENT AFTER REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT.MY CHILD WAS IN A HOSPITAL AND I HAD TO GO COUPLE DAYS AFTER TO TAKE A PICTURE. THE CUTOUT WAS COVERED AND FILLED. I TOOK PICTURES OF EVIDENCES. I AM LOOKING TO FIND OUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CUT OUT AND COST OF MY TIRE DAMAGE/REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT. RECEIPTS SHOW ALL 4 TIRES WITH DISCOUNTS. THE COST FROM THAT FOR ONE TIRE IS $270.76 AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED AT LEAST FOR THAT. THANK YOU.

AFTER A RECENT SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE COMPUTER IS UNABLE TO INDICATE THE ACCURATE STATE OF CHARGE, CAUSING UNEXPECTED POWER LOSS. MY RANGE EXTENDER WAS NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE BEFORE POWER LOSS, AND THE CAR INDICATED 50+ MILES OF RANGE REMAINING. I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED, WHICH TOOK ME FROM 65 MPH TO A DEAD STOP IN A MANNER OF SECONDS. *TR

BMW ARE MANUFACTURING NEWER MODEL TIRES FOR THEIR I3 . THESE TIRES ARE VERY NARROW COMPARED TO OTHER CARS THAT GET EASILY WORN OUT . THE TIRE TREAD READINGS SHOW THAT THEY ARE BELOW SAFETY LEVEL, WITHIN 12K MILES OF DRIVING. THEY ARE VERY UNSTABLE AND CAN BE A RISK FACTOR WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADS. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WOULD FAIL TO DETECT A PASSENGER AFTER DRIVE LASTING 20 MINUTES OR MORE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THIS STATE BECAUSE NO FAULT CODES ARE REGISTERED IN THE SEAT SENSOR OR ANYWHERE ELSE. BMW CLAIMS THAT THIS CAUSED BY "CELL PHONE INTERFERENCE" AND IT "CAN NEVER BE FIXED" BUT HAS REPLACED MY SEAT SENSOR WITH A TOTALLY REDESIGNED SEAT SENSOR. NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY THE "CELL PHONE INTERFERENCE" LINE WAS USED OR WHY THE SEAT SENSOR WAS REDESIGNED. I PRESUME MY CAR IS FIXED WITH THE NEW REDESIGNED MAT BUT OTHER 2014 I3S MAY NOT BE. THIS ISSUE WOULD OCCUR IN MOTION OR WHILE STATIONARY, ON CITY OR HIGHWAY STREETS. THIS ISSUE WOULD ALSO OCCUR *WITHOUT* CELL PHONES IN THE CAR. ONCE THE ISSUE OCCURS, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT COME ON AGAIN UNLESS THE CAR WAS LEFT ALONE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON WITHIN 5 MINUTES WOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE.)

I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A COMMERCIAL BUIDLING. I REMEMBER SLOWING DOWN AS I APPROACHED THE PARKING SPACE. AS THE CAR SLOWED, IT SUDDENLY JERKED AND THEN ACCELERATED CAUSING IT TO GO OVER THE CONCRETE PARKING HEADER AND COLLIDE INTO BUILDING EXTERIOR AND METAL GATE. THE CAR WAS IN SLOW SPEED AS I ENTERED THE SPACE. THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISED AS I COULD SEE MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BY THE TIME I COULD APPLY THE BREAKS, THE CAR HAD ALREADY HIT THE BUILDING WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO STOP MOVING. THE DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS APPROXIMATELY 12-15 FEET.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR MADE SOME JERKY NOISE AND GOT THE "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION - STOP AND TURN OFF ENGINE. DO NOT CONTINUE DRIVING. CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE" MESSAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SERVICE AND THEY NEVER FOUND ANY PROBLEM. NOW IN THE SPAN OF A DAY IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. WHEN I TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT A MINUTE OR SO AND START AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND I HAVE LOOKED THROUGH ALL BMW FORUMS AND FACEBOOK PAGES AND NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER. I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR AND HAVING IT COMPLETELY HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND I HAVE YET TO GET AN ANSWER.