Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil

Electric (BMW i3, incl. range extender)

Electric

model generations

known faults

84,000

new cars in the EU (2010–2025)

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Fuel: Electric. Timing drive: none (EV).

In our database this engine is fitted to 1 model generations, among them: BMW i3.

The most expensive known risk is electric A/C compressor failure: it usually appears at 60,000–160,000 km and costs €1,500–6,000 to fix.

Key facts

Fuel	Electric
Years	2013–2022
Timing drive	None (EV)

Known engine faults

Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.

Electric A/C compressor failure

usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk

Signs: No cooling, climate fault message; in bad cases a drive system warning

Fix: Replace the compressor at the first signs; if it has shed metal particles, the whole refrigerant circuit has to be cleaned or replaced

€1,500–6,000

Range extender running faults (REx versions)

usually 40,000–140,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Engine warning; the range extender will not start or runs rough after long periods unused

Fix: Run the range extender regularly and keep fresh fuel in the tank; replace coils or injectors as needed

€150–900

Low-voltage battery

usually 120,000–240,000 km · Wear part

Signs: LV battery alert

Fix: Replace

€100–300

Brake calipers seizing (low use)

usually 80,000–150,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Uneven pad wear; regen means brakes rarely used

Fix: Service calipers yearly

€100–400

On-board charger (AC) faults

usually 60,000–180,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: 'Charging impossible' on AC

Fix: Repair / replace the charger

€500–2,500

HV battery capacity loss

usually 150,000–300,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Range ~10–15% below new

Fix: Normal ageing; covered 8 yr / 160,000+ km

free / recall

Models with this engine

Model generations this engine is fitted to.

BMW i3 2013–2022

Common questions

What are the known problems with the Electric (BMW i3, incl. range extender) engine?

The faults with the highest risk: electric A/C compressor failure (60,000–160,000 km, €1,500–6,000); on-board charger (AC) faults (60,000–180,000 km, €500–2,500).

Which cars have the Electric (BMW i3, incl. range extender) engine?

BMW i3.

Sources and notes

Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.

Updated 08/10/2026

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