2016 BMW i3 problems
The 2016 BMW i3 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as bMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire risk.
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2016 BMW i3 score: good reliability
Calculated using only 3 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Electric motor9.31 fault
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension9.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering9.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.3 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system6.42 faults
- Headlights and lights8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2015 BMW i3
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2015.
BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE engine in the 2016 BMW i3
Names: i3 (60 Ah) · i3 94 Ah · i3 120 Ah · i3s 184 CV · i3 REx
- With caution
i3 22 kWh gross battery (60 Ah) (2013–2017)
170 hp
It is the oldest: the battery warranty will almost always have expired and the state of health (SoH) must be measured. The charging cases on the fiches-auto page involve cars from 2014 to 2016.[2][3]
- With caution
i3 and i3s 33 kWh gross battery (94 Ah) (2016–2018)
170–184 hp
Units built before October 2018 fall outside the 2022 cell campaign, but the 8-year or 160,000 km warranty has just expired or is about to: require a battery state-of-health report.[2][4]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
The BMW i3 BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2016 BMW i3
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemBMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire riskAccording to the fiches-auto.fr fiche, the i3 battery was the subject of a recall in October 2022 because of a fire risk; the fiche does not detail the scope, and we have not been able to verify it from an official source.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemCharger and charging socket fault on the BMW i3According to fiches-auto.fr, 5 of the 14 i3 testimonials mention charging problems: a charger that failed after about 800 charges (120,000 km) on the 170 hp electric version and a socket fault at 49,000 km, covered by warranty.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 BMW i3 reliable?
The 2016 BMW i3 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as bMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire risk.
Is the 2016 BMW i3 better than the 2015?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2015 and 2016 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the BMW i3?
According to our score, the best are 2017, 2016, 2015 and 1 other years with the same score (8.1/10). The year with the worst score is 2019 (6.9/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2016 BMW i3 have?
The most important ones documented for 2016 cars are: bMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire risk (electrical system, critical severity), failure of the on-board charger and the charging port on the i3 (BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE, medium severity) and charger and charging socket fault on the BMW i3 (electrical system, medium severity).
Own a 2016 BMW i3? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW i3 (hatchback)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- BMW i3 reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026
- Tous les problèmes sur BMW i3 2013 (testimonios de propietarios y llamadas a revisión)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
- BMW i3 (2018 – 2021): EV/Hybrid, firecar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 22 October 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026