Most common 2015 BMW i8 problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW i8 complaints by model year
2015 BMW i8 recalls (1)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2015 BMW i8:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
2015 BMW i8 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 28 / 29 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 BMW i8 a good car?
That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. So far owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 BMW i8?
The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (2) and stability & traction control (1).
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW i8 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2015 BMW i8, the most recent from December 28, 2015 (electronic stability control (esc)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2015 BMW i8 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 11,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.