RoadVitals

2015 BMW I8 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Apr 27, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 BMW I8, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical228.6%
  • Engine228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased a 2015 BMW i8 (salvage title) from Parkline Motors. The vehicle history (Carfax) disclosed prior front/right damage, which I accepted. However, the dealership failed to disclose critical safety-related defects associated with that damage. Shortly after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), which controls the airbag system. This is a serious safety issue, as it can affect proper airbag deployment. I also experienced a persistent alarm system malfunction that prevented me from locking the vehicle without triggering the alarm. When I took the vehicle to BMW for inspection, I was informed that the SRS malfunction was directly related to the prior accident damage. This indicates the issue existed prior to sale and should have been identified and disclosed by the dealership. I promptly notified Parkline Motors. They refused to take responsibility for the SRS safety defect and only offered limited assistance regarding the alarm system. The SRS issue remains unresolved and poses a significant safety risk. Parkline Motors engaged in: •Failure to disclose known material safety defects •Sale of a vehicle in unsafe condition •Negligent or deceptive business practices

NHTSA ID 11734106 · filed Apr 27, 2026

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a significant safety issue with my 2015 BMW i8. I purchased the vehicle from United BMW in Alpharetta, Georgia, on [XXX]. At the time of purchase, the car had 25,000 miles and now has 30,000 miles. Recently, the AC compressor in my BMW i8 failed catastrophically. Initially, the repair estimate was $4,000, which I approved. However, the next day, I received a revised estimate for $26,000 due to additional problems. This sudden increase in repair costs, along with the lack of clear communication from BMW, has been extremely frustrating. What is most concerning is the potential safety hazard posed by this failure. The AC system in the BMW i8 is integrated with the battery cooling system. Without a functioning AC, the batteries can overheat, which could lead to fires or other catastrophic events. This poses a significant risk not only to the driver and passengers but also to others around the vehicle. Despite contacting BMW Genius and being assigned a case manager, I was told that BMW would not assist with the repair due to the car's age, even though it only has 30,000 miles. The lack of empathy and support from both the dealership and BMW corporate has been disappointing. Given the potential safety risks associated with this issue, I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter promptly. This is a known problem with the BMW i8, as evidenced by numerous complaints online. It is crucial that this issue is addressed to prevent any potential harm. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I am available to provide any further information or documentation required for your investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11601200 · filed Jul 11, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I DRING IN TO STREET FROM PARKING LOT, THIS VEHICLE DO NOT SPEED UP, IT IS STOP , NOT MOVING AT ALL FOR ABOUT 3 SECOND THAN KICK UP FAST. IT HAPPEN SOME TIMES NOT EVERY DAY, I WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR FIX IT LIKE 4 TIME BUT THEY CAN NOT DUPULICATE THE PROBLEM AND CHECK THE SYSTEM BUT IT CAME OUT EVERYTHING NORMAL. BUT I HAVE THOSE PROBLEM LIKE ONE EVERY MONTH SPECIALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING LOW SPEED.

NHTSA ID 11004660 · filed Jul 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW I8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME ENGINE HEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,600.

NHTSA ID 10876098 · filed Jun 23, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased a 2015 BMW i8 (salvage title) from Parkline Motors. The vehicle history (Carfax) disclosed prior front/right damage, which I accepted. However, the dealership failed to disclose critical safety-related defects associated with that damage. Shortly after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), which controls the airbag system. This is a serious safety issue, as it can affect proper airbag deployment. I also experienced a persistent alarm system malfunction that prevented me from locking the vehicle without triggering the alarm. When I took the vehicle to BMW for inspection, I was informed that the SRS malfunction was directly related to the prior accident damage. This indicates the issue existed prior to sale and should have been identified and disclosed by the dealership. I promptly notified Parkline Motors. They refused to take responsibility for the SRS safety defect and only offered limited assistance regarding the alarm system. The SRS issue remains unresolved and poses a significant safety risk. Parkline Motors engaged in: •Failure to disclose known material safety defects •Sale of a vehicle in unsafe condition •Negligent or deceptive business practices

NHTSA ID 11734106 · filed Apr 27, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE IS SAYING CHASSIS STABILIZATION ERROR WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE SAME AS DYNAMIC STABILIZATION. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND MY MAKE YEAR AND MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THE BMW DEALERSHIP NEAR ME IS REQUESTING 2,500$ TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE. WHILE I STARTED MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING THE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT FIRST SAYS INITIALIZING STABILIZATION AND THEN IT SAYS MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID 11362590 · filed Oct 3, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased a 2015 BMW i8 (salvage title) from Parkline Motors. The vehicle history (Carfax) disclosed prior front/right damage, which I accepted. However, the dealership failed to disclose critical safety-related defects associated with that damage. Shortly after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), which controls the airbag system. This is a serious safety issue, as it can affect proper airbag deployment. I also experienced a persistent alarm system malfunction that prevented me from locking the vehicle without triggering the alarm. When I took the vehicle to BMW for inspection, I was informed that the SRS malfunction was directly related to the prior accident damage. This indicates the issue existed prior to sale and should have been identified and disclosed by the dealership. I promptly notified Parkline Motors. They refused to take responsibility for the SRS safety defect and only offered limited assistance regarding the alarm system. The SRS issue remains unresolved and poses a significant safety risk. Parkline Motors engaged in: •Failure to disclose known material safety defects •Sale of a vehicle in unsafe condition •Negligent or deceptive business practices

NHTSA ID 11734106 · filed Apr 27, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .