Common Failures Of The BMW i8: Problems, Disadvantages And Criticisms

When BMW launched the BMW i8, car enthusiasts had high expectations, and it delivered. Despite being a good car, the BMW i8 can also present some problems. Discover here everything about the common faults of the BMW i8.

The BMW i8 was last produced in 2020, which means the most recent version would be the 2020 model. The brand delivered on the car and everything the public expected, but it has had a few flaws.

How good is the BMW i8?

The BMW i8 is a reliable car . However, it is to be expected that you will have some complications from time to time. Regular inspection and maintenance will be enough to prevent most of your problems.

Common faults of the BMW i8

From its striking design and excellent fuel economy to its iconic doors, carbon fiber material and supercar engine. It is a high-performance sports car that is worth it.

Next, we present the 9 common failures of the BMW i8:

1. Fuel leaks

Several users have reported fuel leaks in the tanks. This is a fairly common drawback among models produced in 2014.

This failure is attributed to a faulty bolt that attaches the fuel tank to the car’s chassis. Experts suggest that this is due to improper welding, which leads to a fuel leak. A large fuel leak could cause a fire in the vehicle.

A thorough inspection is essential to identify fuel tank failures. An expert mechanic could help you check and catch potential problems.

There are several signs that you may have a fuel tank leak, such as an excessive fuel smell in the car, patches of moisture under the vehicle, and unusual dips in the fuel gauge. Once confirmed, it will be easy to avoid fires and other fuel tank related problems.

Furthermore, there are various inconveniences that can cause your BMW i8 to lose fuel. For example, a faulty cap can cause a slight fuel spill . Clogged fuel filters, leaking fuel lines, and holes in the fuel injector or fuel tank could also cause these fuel leaks.

Check when it was last replaced (if ever)

At the same time, failures with the fuel filter will show up from time to time. Timely replacement will help improve daily performance. The standard time to change is when the 50,000 mile mark is reached. You can also do it every three or five years, depending on how you drive your vehicle.

A leaking oil filter gasket could be another problem your BMW i8 will be facing. Although it is a common fault in most vehicles, you should be prepared for it if you have the i8.

This gasket connects the oil filter to various moving parts in the engine, cushioning them against wear. A leaky oil filter gasket should be taken care of by a professional to avoid mechanical complications.

You also have to pay attention to the fuel pump . Fuel pump failures can lead to poor acceleration, engine misfiring and stuttering. Be sure to replace the fuel pump as soon as it becomes dysfunctional. It is the only way to increase engine performance and reliability.

2. Large doors

The BMW i8 has iconic and attractive doors. Its butterfly-shaped doors are elegant and stylish, catching people’s attention. However, this design makes them significantly large, making it difficult to maneuver in public car parks and areas with little space.

In addition, these large doors will prevent you from getting out of the car comfortably when necessary. At the same time, the butterfly design might be impractical in some cases . Some people might have to use a one-legged approach when getting into the car.

Nothing can be as uncomfortable as this. Multiple practice sessions are required to master the art and glide inside the cockpit. However, you should assume that it is in a region with minimal space. So getting into the car will be a hassle.

Normally when buying an i8 you choose between a dihedral and a scissor door. Maximum space is required when using a scissor door as it opens wide. However, the dihedral doors of the BMW i8 may not take up as much horizontal space as conventional doors. This makes it an easy choice if you have limited space.

3. Electrical complications

The BMW i8 is associated with multiple electrical problems . These electrical problems stem from the vehicle’s high-voltage lithium-ion battery. However, despite its high power, this battery has a liquid cooling system that can be recharged through any conventional household outlet.

An outage of your high-voltage electrical power compromises propulsion, increasing susceptibility to a crash. You will have to fix this problem as soon as possible as it can cost you your life.

Electrical faults can also arise . For example, a dead battery in this sports car could compromise multiple features and components. Being a hybrid car, it depends on this high voltage battery to function. Without it, the vehicle will most likely consume more fuel.

The alternator could expose your vehicle to another electrical problem. This problem will probably start after using the car for a long period of time. A faulty alternator means that the battery will lose its life quickly. It contributes to the lights flickering and the dashboard backlights being constant.

Electronic problems to look for

Suppose your BMW i8 blows its fuses. In that case, different problems are to be expected, such as the malfunction of the air conditioning system and the window regulators. Poor wiring could also pose another electrical problem.

In these cases, the engine will produce excessive heat. The power switch could also fail after a while. Its failure compromises the electrical current that must reach the engine’s spark plugs, which means that the engine may not start.

When this happens, a thorough inspection will be necessary to address the root of the problem. A faulty ignition coil can also occur . This problem causes:

• slow acceleration
• Power delays
• check engine light on

The heater core could also cause various electrical problems in your BMW i8.

The internal heating system determines the reliability of the engine cooling system. A slight heater core malfunction affects the power supply to various items, including heat. In this way, your vehicle is likely to overheat.

You will notice changes on the dashboard when electrical problems begin in your BMW i8. These warning lights will require you to check your vehicle’s wiring system. An excellent mechanic could help set up and fix the problems.

4. Security issues

Every time you invest in a car, you want to know how much security it offers. An excellent vehicle should guarantee you unmatched safety features. Fortunately, the BMW i8 has a five-star safety rating from: NHTSA (USA), IIHS and Euro NCAP.

This vehicle offers excellent crash test ratings, which means you’ll be safe in the event of an accident.

However, while the BMW i8 offers exceptional safety, several reports indicate problems with the airbags. Airbags are one of the most critical aspects of vehicle safety. Failure to do so could compromise your long-term comfort and safety.

Usually, problems with airbags arise after accidents, causing the seatbelts to lock up as well. They may not work as intended unless you reset the codes. This is accomplished by initiating the airbag module reset. Undoubtedly this is one of the  common failures of the BMW i8 that cause more danger.

Airbag related problems

There are several signs that indicate the need to reset the airbag module. In most cases, you will see that the airbag light is on or that the airbags have deployed. Your diagnostic tool might also show that crash data is stored. Even so, you will have to consider resetting the module once you are involved in an accident with your BMW i8.

You will need an airbag module reset for a number of reasons, including clearing crash data, clearing hard codes, and clearing the vehicle’s accident history. It also helps diagnose various airbag and safety issues that could be enough once you’re involved in an accident.

5. Engine overheating

The BMW i8 has a robust hybrid engine that offers exceptional performance. However, expect it to overheat after some time. Treating this problem in time will help you maintain the integrity and health of the engine in the long term. Thorough and frequent inspections are unavoidable in this pursuit.

There are three reasons why your BMW i8 overheats:

1. faulty thermostat
2. Refrigerant leak
3. radiator failure

A thermostat is designed to allow coolant to flow into the system effortlessly , protecting the engine from being overworked. Unfortunately, once this thermostat stops working, the engine doesn’t have enough lubrication, causing the engine to strain.

A stressed engine will constantly overheat. On the other hand, refrigerant leaks cause engine malfunction and stress. Without enough coolant, various moving parts in the engine, such as the water pump , cylinder, head gasket , and piston, will not function smoothly.

Malfunctioning of these components exposes the engine to lower efficiency, causing it to overheat.

Check if the radiator fails

You’ll also need to keep an eye out for a radiator failure, which increases heat in the cabin and engine alike. This problem will likely arise if the radiator becomes clogged or damaged. It highlights several symptoms, including:

• refrigerant leaks
• liquid discoloration
• flaps blocked
• Manometer High Temperature Ratings

Driving a BMW i8 with an overheated engine exposes you to various risks, including:

• Damage or deform cylinder heads
• weaken the hoses
• Release excess antifreeze

However, fixing the engine overheating problem is simple. A good mechanic will help you identify the problem and solve it in no time.

6. Defective sensors

Various sensors make your BMW i8 a worthwhile investment. Functional sensors will help keep various parts of the engine in excellent condition, including identifying when there is a problem.

Unfortunately, the BMW i8 will probably expose you to several sensor problems that you will have to fix in time.

You can check the health of your sensors in several ways. However, the most common way is to check for warning lights on the instrument panel. Decreased engine performance will also be inevitable if the sensors are not working optimally. It will also be difficult to understand the problem since the sensors will not pick it up.

Here is a breakdown of the sensor problems your BMW i8 will be facing.

coolant temperature sensor

Your car will probably develop coolant temperature sensor faults after some time. This sensor is designed to measure the temperature of the coolant, feeding the information to the Engine Control Unit .

This information helps the vehicle adjust ignition timing and fuel injection . However, if the sensor is defective, it becomes difficult to achieve this goal. Malfunctions in the coolant temperature sensor are not a big concern. However, you should look for the telltale signs that something is wrong. Understanding the symptoms will help you avoid costly repairs in the long run.

Be sure to seek professional help when you notice the following signs:

• Check engine light comes on
• Your engine starts to overheat
• You may see black smoke coming from the tailpipe
• Engine performance and fuel economy are poor
• Breakage of the water pump may be unavoidable.

faulty oxygen sensor

Although it is not that common, a faulty oxygen sensor could be enough on your BMW i8. This problem is usually caused by:

• Contaminants, including phosphorous from oil
• Engine coolant leaks
• Engine Combustion Components

Also, this problem is an indication of other underlying faults in your vehicle. A faulty oxygen sensor exposes you to engine efficiency and gas mileage issues. The engine is significantly strained when the machine’s oxygen to gasoline ratio is not balanced.

If this situation occurs, make sure you go to a mechanic to fix it. You will also have a sputtering engine if the oxygen sensor fails . This problem stems from the inconsistent combustion rate in the machine, forcing the engine to run rough.

Also, your vehicle could stall or accelerate erratically. Which implies that a strange smell similar to that of rotten eggs will permeate the cabin. It is the result of incomplete combustion of fuel in your engine. This odor may be accompanied by dark black smoke. As soon as you notice these signs, seek professional help to avoid a major crisis.

7. Failures in power windows

An excellent manual or electric window regulator improves the comfort of operation in a car. However, it is likely that after a while you will have to face various problems with the power window.

Although it can be considered an inconvenience that is not that important, you must be prepared for it. Power windows can fail due to a faulty cooling system . This problem compromises your safety and comfort in the car. You must understand the causes of this problem in order to resolve it properly.

The malfunction of a window regulator usually comes from problems in:

• A faulty window regulator
• cable pulley
• The switch
• The motor

A combination of these issues could make the situation worse, which means you’ll need to address each one independently and on time. In most cases, these problems arise during snowy or icy seasons.

A trusted mechanic will establish the root cause and address it effectively. You will need to examine the main root causes, including:

• blown fuses
• burnt out engines
• poor switches

This professional will repair or replace them, depending on the extent of the damage. Frequent inspections and reviews will also help to avoid this problem. You’ll need a professional to help you spot minor problems before they happen. This measure will protect you from various problems in the long run.

8. Failures in automatic headlights

Automatic headlights are an innovation that promotes safer driving, prevents glare and better adapts to driving conditions. They turn on automatically when twilight comes. All BMW i8s come with these headlights to ensure an immersive driving experience. However, some complications have arisen.

Sometimes the automatic headlights on the BMW stay on even when they are not needed. This element implies that the energy consumption is significantly high. It could also contribute to other electrical problems in the vehicle.

Noticing these issues could be tricky if you live in a sunny region . Therefore, you will have to be extremely careful. Also, a bad battery can cause automatic headlights to misbehave. For this reason, which means that it is necessary to check the reliability of your battery before taking other measures.

An experienced professional will help you evaluate the battery to confirm its suitability, addressing faults that can cause the auto headlamps to stay on even when not needed.

battery problems

The BMW i8 is based on a powerful hybrid powertrain powered by a lithium-ion battery. Although this battery is very powerful, it can fail from time to time. This failure will force you to start your vehicle, mainly by leaning against another car.

There are several signs that indicate that you have problems with your car battery. For example, the central locking system may fail, meaning you won’t be able to lock or unlock the vehicle. In these cases, you will have to use a manual key to lock or unlock the car.

To fix this problem, simply start the vehicle. You most likely don’t want to find yourself in this predicament, so minimize the number of components that use the battery. This will prevent the battery from running out.

9. Aesthetic problems

Suppose you value aesthetics in cars. In that case, you will have to pay attention to the car door handles. These bracelets are likely to fade in no time, especially if you overuse them. At the same time, watch out for corrosion on your alloy wheels.

You may need to replace them soon. However, this is not a problem that affects everyone except aesthetic enthusiasts. This is one of the common BMW i8 faults that have little effect on the performance of the vehicle.

What do the reviews say?

Among the opinions and comments that stand out the most about the BMW i8 are the following:

The BMW i8 offers exceptional performance and efficiency. However, you must rummage through your pockets to get it.

The BMW is a sporty, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing vehicle. Its benefits are unmatched. However, it is not as fast as it seems.