Model year 2021 · Subcompact Cars
2021 BMW i3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 BMW i3 at 31 mpg combined (gas versions) and 113 MPGe combined with 153 miles of EPA-rated range across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for this model year.
Safety recalls
0
EPA combined mpg
31
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a BMW dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 BMW i3 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 0 safety recalls for the 2021 BMW i3, newest first.
No recalls are listed for the 2021 BMW i3 in NHTSA's recall file as of Oct 27, 2026.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 BMW i3 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel | City/Hwy/Comb | Electric range | Fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i3 | Electric (125 kW AC Induction) | Single-speed | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 124/102/113 MPGe | 153 mi 29.8 kWh/100 mi | $650 | 0 |
| i3 with Range Extender | 0.6L 2-cyl plug-in hybrid | Single-speed | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity / Electricity | 30/31/31 mpg 100 MPGe on electricity | 126 mi | $2,650 | 22 |
| i3s | Electric (135 kW AC Induction) | Single-speed | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 124/102/113 MPGe | 153 mi 29.8 kWh/100 mi | $650 | 0 |
| i3s with Range Extender | 0.6L 2-cyl plug-in hybrid | Single-speed | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity / Electricity | 30/31/31 mpg 100 MPGe on electricity | 126 mi | $2,650 | 22 |
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 BMW i3 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Tested vehicle | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk | Forward collision warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW i3 BEV 5 HB RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | — | Optional |
| 2021 BMW i3 REX 5 HB RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | — | Optional |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 BMW i3 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW i3, most recently on Oct 19, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
| Component named in complaints | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Structure: Body | 1 |
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
Other BMW i3 model years
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Other 2021 BMW models
Sources
- Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
- Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
- Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
- Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
- NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with BMW.