Service bulletin B511815

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10147246
Published by NHTSA	2018-11-05
Manufacturer's number	B511815
Manufacturer's date	2015-09-01
NHTSA component	LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

NHTSA's summary

A Check Control Message is displayed for the Tailgate Lock Open. A Check Control Message is displayed indicating that the tailgate is open, even though it is mechanically closed. CAUSE Faulty tailgate lock or incorrect adjustment.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Body and frame, Latches and locks

Vehicles listed
BMW I3	2014, 2015, 2016

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
B511919	2019-08-19. Service bulletin. SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN OPERATING THE SIDE WINDOWS: A squeaking noise is heard when operating either side window. Interference between the side window glass and the B-Pillar seal.
B511619	2019-05-20. Service bulletin. OUTER DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. One or both front outer door handles are loose. Improper tightening torque during vehicle production.
B511619	2019-05-20. Service bulletin. OUTER DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. One or both front outer door handles are loose. Improper tightening torque during vehicle production.
B220116	2018-12-10. Service bulletin. Service Action: Replace the Motor Mount Screws. A sudden loss of traction while accelerating sharply may damage the engine mounts.
BMWFEB1416	2018-12-10. Service bulletin. "A Delivery Stop has been issued on i01 (i3 Battery Electric Vehicle) produced from December 09, 2015 to January 22, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with a sunroof as part of the Shadow Sport limited edition. The sunroof may not be properly sealed, so that leaks could possibly develop. Affected vehicles have been identified and will display under ""vehicle comments"" in DCS Warranty or ISPA Light. We will provide you with more information regarding the repair process and parts availability as soon as possible. See attached Service Information Bulletin B54 01 16 for more details. Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell, lease or deliver any vehicle covered by this notification until the delivery stop repair has been performed. This means that centers may not legally deliver new motor vehicles to a consumer until it is fixed or use/sell replacement equipment/parts subject to a delivery stop. Note also that substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law. Also, you should not sell, lease or deliver any Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles subject to a delivery stop until the repair is completed."
B360414	2018-12-10. Service bulletin. SI B36 04 14 Wheels and Tires January 2016 Technical Service. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 36 04 14 dated September 2014. SUBJECT: Rolling Tire Noise . INFORMATION: You will find that driving an i3 is very similar to driving the conventional cars and trucks you're used to drive, but turn the "Readiness" ON and you'll immediately notice the silence from the powertrain. Once you'll pull away, you'll notice how quiet the vehicle is. When directly compared to cars with internal combustion engines, ambient conditions such as wind, rain, rolling noises, and possible stone impacts to the under body or axle parts may seem louder. These louder ambient and rolling noises are inherent in the design of the vehicle and are part of normal driving operation. The emitted sound from the tires is a normal characteristic, inherent in the side tread profile and is not a defect of material or workmanship. In the efforts to lessen this characteristic, a new side tread profile has been implemented into the tire design. These newly designed tires are identified from DOT 2314 onwards."
512114	2018-11-13. Service bulletin. Front Door Makes Rattling Noise. The customer complains of a rattling noise from the front door when driving on rough roads. CAUSE The door lock actuating rod vibrates/rattles against the door lock.
612314	2018-11-13. Service bulletin. "The Start/Stop Button Must Be Pressed Several Times to Stop Engine. To turn the engine off when it is running, the start/stop button must be pressed several times. This error does not affect starting of the engine. Body Domain Controller (BDC) application software error BDC fault ""8040A9 - Start-stop button SST: Incorrect operation (pushed at an angle)"" is stored."
512714	2018-11-13. Service bulletin. "Service Action: Retighten Bolts in Door Brake. The bolt securing the door brake to the body may loosen. If the door brake bolt is loose, a rattle may be heard. The locking nut can cause the bolt to lose its original tightening torque. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Service Action involves I01 vehicles produced from June 6, 2014 to August 1, 2014. First check if a Service Action label with a code number 707 is already attached to the A-pillar. If a code number 707 has been punched out, the Service Action has already been performed and no further action is necessary. Vehicles which require this Service Action to be completed will show it as ""Open"" when checked either in the ""Service Menu"" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or with the Key Reader."
360414	2018-11-13. Service bulletin. "Rolling Tire Noise. INFORMATION You will find that driving an i3 is very similar to driving the conventional cars and trucks you're used to drive, but turn the ""Readiness"" ON and you'll immediately notice the silence from the powertrain. Once you'll pull away, you'll notice how quiet the vehicle is. When directly compared to cars with internal combustion engines, ambient conditions such as wind, rain, rolling noises, and possible stone impacts to the under body or axle parts may seem louder. These louder ambient and rolling noises are inherent in the design of the vehicle and are part of normal driving operation. WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable."