NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 BMW I8 Safety Record
The 2020 BMW I8 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 1 owner complaint on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
For the 2020 model year, the BMW i8 has not undergone crash testing by NHTSA. Consequently, there are no official star ratings or an assigned Safety Index score for this vehicle. The federal record indicates a low incidence of post-sale issues, with one recall campaign and a single owner complaint on file. This limited data set provides no basis to assess the vehicle's crash safety performance, leaving a significant gap in the publicly available safety profile.
The 2020 BMW I8 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one recall campaign involving the electrical system traction battery, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 1 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 BMW I8?
The 2020 BMW i8 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA. This leaves a critical gap in its safety profile, as no sibling model years of the i8 have undergone federal crash assessment. What data is available, however, points to a consistent electrical concern. The vehicle's record shows one recall and one owner complaint, both related to the electrical system. The recall, issued in September 2020, addresses the traction battery within the propulsion system. This recall was not exclusive to the i8, affecting several BMW and MINI plug-in hybrid models from the same period. The single complaint, filed in 2021, also targets the electrical system. The federal record for this model year indicates a Light recall and complaint burden band. There are no reported crash, fire, injury, or death figures associated with the complaint.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 BMW I8 have any recalls?
The 2020 BMW I8 is linked to one recall campaign targeting the electrical system, specifically the propulsion system traction battery. The recall notice does not specify a park-outside or do-not-drive directive in the data provided, but owners should confirm current remedy status and any associated instructions through the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY20V601000
Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Remedy: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owne
Reported 2020-09-30
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 BMW I8?
One owner complaint appears in the NHTSA record for the 2020 BMW I8, with the Electrical System listed as the top component. This is an unverified consumer allegation reported to NHTSA and has not been confirmed as a defect or safety finding by the agency.
1 owner complaint on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 BMW I8?
A significant recall for the 2020 BMW I8 involving its traction battery warrants attention from any prospective buyer. On its recall record, this specific concern is critical enough that buyers of used models should verify the repair status via the NHTSA VIN lookup. An unresolved recall remains the owner's responsibility to address.
- NHTSA has no crash-test result for the 2020 BMW I8, meaning no frontal, side, or rollover star ratings exist for this model year from the federal agency.
- One recall affecting this model year targets the electrical system propulsion traction battery, a campaign that also covered several other 2020 and 2021 BMW and MINI plug-in hybrid models.
- The sole owner complaint on file for this model year involves the Electrical System and is an unverified allegation reported to NHTSA, with no associated crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths recorded.
- No sibling model years of the I8 carry NHTSA crash-test results in the covered data, so no tested-year star ratings are available to use as a reference point for this vehicle.
FAQ2020 BMW I8 safety questions
Was the 2020 BMW I8 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 1 recall and 1 owner complaint on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW I8 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2020 BMW I8. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 BMW I8?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 1 owner complaint is on file for the 2020 BMW I8. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other I8 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW I8 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.