BMW i8 recalls

11 official safety recalls for the BMW i8 from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. High voltage battery impurities may cause a short circuit

    Reported December 14, 2020Model years 2020DVSA recall R/2020/28334,645 vehicles affected

    Impurities in the high voltage battery may cause a short circuit. Battery charge cycles will be tested and cells replaced where necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    REMAINING PARTICLES IN THE CELLS OF THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT
    Defect
    A possibility of impurities contained in the HV batteries may cause short circuit.
    Remedy
    Testing of battery charge cycles and replacement of the HV cells where necessary.

  2. Debris in hybrid battery cells may cause a short circuit

    Reported September 30, 2020Model years 2020NHTSA campaign 20V6010004,509 vehicles affected

    Debris in the hybrid battery cells could cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury. Drivers are instructed not to charge the vehicle, use manual or sport mode, or use the shift paddles until repaired. The battery module will be inspected and replaced if needed, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  3. Electric motor electronics circuit board may not meet specifications

    Reported April 3, 2020Model years 2019DVSA recall R/2019/289240 vehicles affected

    The electric motor electronics circuit board may not meet specifications. The electric motor electronics unit will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ELECTRONICS PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATIONS
    Defect
    The Electric Motor Electronics (EME) printed circuit board was not manufactured according to specifications
    Remedy
    The Electric Motor Electronics (EME) of vehicles affected will be replaced.

  4. Electrical fault may cause loss of propulsion

    Reported August 14, 2019Model years 2019NHTSA campaign 19V599000139 vehicles affected

    A circuit board problem may shut down the supply of high-voltage power, causing loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the electric motor electronics module free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  5. Portable charger capacitors may fail

    Reported September 20, 2018Model years 2019NHTSA campaign 18V6520003,501 vehicles affected

    Capacitors in the portable charger may fail, creating a risk of electric shock or fire. Dealers will inspect the charging cable and replace it if necessary, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  6. Airbag may not deploy in a collision

    Reported January 10, 2017Model years 2016DVSA recall R/2017/0114,676 vehicles affected

    An incorrectly manufactured airbag igniter may affect deployment in a collision. Affected airbag modules will be replaced where necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY
    Defect
    The igniter for the certain airbag modules may not have been correctly manufactured which may affect air bag deployment in the event of a collision.
    Remedy
    Where necessary replace affected airbag modules.

  7. Seat-mounted side air bag may not deploy

    Reported December 20, 2016Model years 2017NHTSA campaign 16V9140003,506 vehicles affected

    The initiator in a seat-mounted side air bag may fail to ignite during a crash, preventing deployment and increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the air bag modules free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  8. Stability control unit may impair braking

    Reported December 28, 2015Model years 2015NHTSA campaign 15V88200016 vehicles affected

    Improperly drilled holes in the stability control hydraulic unit may restrict pistons and impair stability control functions, including braking, affecting handling and increasing crash risk. Dealers will inspect the unit and replace it if necessary, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  9. Incorrect sensor calibration may affect steering stability

    Reported December 3, 2015Model years 2015DVSA recall R/2015/24482 vehicles affected

    Incorrectly calibrated engine current sensors may increase regenerative braking torque during deceleration, causing oversteer or understeer and potentially skidding on slippery roads. The sensors will be calibrated.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    STEERING MAY NOT BEHAVE AS DESIGNED
    Defect
    The engine current sensors have not been calibrated correctly which could lead to an increased recuperation torque during vehicle deceleration. An increased recuperation torque during deceleration could lead to a vehicle oversteer condition in the i3 and vehicle understeer condition in the i8. This could lead to skidding on slippery roads during driving.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and calibrate sensors for measuring the engine current.

  10. Fuel tank may leak

    Reported January 14, 2015Model years 2014DVSA recall R/2014/190128 vehicles affected

    A faulty weld at the fuel tank earth strap bolt may eventually allow fuel to leak, which may be noticed by its smell or dripping after refuelling. The tank will be inspected and replaced if necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL MAY LEAK
    Defect
    It is possible that lubricant contamination may result in the high current welding of the bolt for the fuel tank earth strap not being to specification. This could over time result in the fuel tank leaking. The driver will become aware of the leak either by the smell or dripping fuel after refuelling.
    Remedy
    Recall all affected vehicles and inspect the fuel tank. If necessary replace the fuel tank.

  11. Fuel tank ground bolt may be inadequately welded

    Reported October 27, 2014Model years 2014NHTSA campaign 14V674000223 vehicles affected

    A poorly welded ground cable bolt may cause a fuel tank leak, creating a fire risk if fuel reaches an ignition source. Dealers will inspect the tank and replace it if needed, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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