How to fix a loose door handle on the BMW i3

Now that the BMW i3 has been out a while, some things that need attention are popping up. Here’s a simple DIY you can do if you’d rather fix it yourself.
Over time, the BMW i3’s unique backward opening door handle starts to get loose towards the front pivot point. Its onset is rather insidious, and sometimes the passenger side can be worse than the drivers.
If this gets left severely loose, the front part of the door handle can come out.
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[@MichaelVizzina]

This video was a huge help. I thought it was going to be much more complicated. I see this video is four years old. I’m wondering if you still have these i3s in your stable and I’m wondering how your batteries and EMEs are holding up. Thanks.

[@anthonyhodson]

Hi, thanks for the video. I tried this but, this one is to do with the catch mechanism, you want the other one, behind the other little cover (same area) it has a conventional hex key, not a socket. If you have the handle off you can see it moving when you turn it in the handle receiver.

[@l.s.a1990]

The driver side door handle won't open the door when unlocked...any ideas on this fix...? Thanks in advance 🙂

[@justanotherdrunk]

on my 3rd i3 just got a '18 s haven't had this problem on any of them enjoy your videos thanks

[@bmwblog]

Glad to help

[@SushiJim]

Thanks!! Totally fixed my door handle issue. Let’s see how long before it happens again. 😊

[@bmwblog]

Glad it helped!

[@sunwahky]

Thank you bros, just fix my loose door handle following your video

[@bmwblog]

Glad it helped

[@clemwang9920]

The thing to search for is Inverted or internal torx socket set. I got one from Home Depot. I also needed a T-15 Torx bit to tighten another nut next to the E-4 Torx bolt that is accessed in the hole next to the one shown in the video. [old post, for which I answered my own question.] Where do you get a torx socket wrench set that is tiny enough to fit? Searching in Amazon is a pain because it matches for socket sets and torx BITS. It takes German Engineering to come up with a need for a torx SOCKET!😢

[@coolfrost6]

Thanks for the video. I was fully committed to having to remove the door panel in order to re attach some spring i assumed had fallen off. but this seems 100% easier :)

[@bmwblog]

Glad it helped

[@chrisdavies-kiwi]

Thanks for the video. I wonder if anyone else has experienced the i3 door failing to open. The solenoid is working correctly and everything looks ok but it won't open using the handle. I can get into the vehicle with the physical key but need to resolve this problem. I wonder if this could be to do with a loose door handle? I guess I need to get the door card off to have a look but not sure how to go about this. Do you have a video for the procedure.

[@farhadgholamiuk]

Best video thanks very much

[@vicoyfuentes]

I have the same problem with my VW. A little bit loose and it annoys me because it creates a noise when driving on bumpy road. Will I try the same with my car?

[@YoUrEDeStiNy]

Thanks. Fixed the loose handle!

[@bmwblog]

Glad it helped!

[@lacidari]

Thanks good tip.

[@bmwblog]

Glad to help

[@KoryCastle-wc9js]

What tools is this called

[@eduardogonzalez595]

This video is awesome, my batt.kapa.max is 15.7kwh. Does the battery need replacing and would it be covered under warranty. 2015 bmw i3

[@bmwblog]

I would honestly ask the dealer. They will know the thresholds.

[@moisescosta517]

folk please My handle just come off on my hand I don't know how to put it back

[@jamestanny849]

Moises Costa The entire handle is locked with only one screw on its side. I'm not talking about the screw in this video. This only tightened it, but the handle is put in place with only a screw that holds the handle in place. Now my handle is loose all the time, and I've tightened several times. The only thing that happens is i'm getting a slow return on it when i let go of the handle. Terrible design, for a cheap car.

[@Eatcrow]

See my reply above

[@jmmjorgemo]

Same thing happened to me so tightening this e4 torx on the side won’t help if your whole handle fell off? How do you fix that the ?

[@cartoon5684]

Hi, i have bmw i3. My left side doorlights doesnt work "interior light/ night light" , do you know how to fix it? Do i only need to replace new Led-lamp or do i need to change/buy the hole doorhandle? 😕 I cant find way to just take out the Led-lamp from the doorhandle. Sorry for my poor english.🙏

[@finn_carnivore]

Wau thank you so mutch. This is very good. 👍

[@lajamoto]

Wow! Thank you sooo much. I have a 2014 I3 and this is one of the few things that has really bugged me about my car. I have been taking it to the dealer to have the door handle looked at and they couldn't get it as tight. I sometimes wonder if they know about this fix. On a separate note, my driver side seat belt seems to also get stuck if I release my seat belt too quickly. It seems the tensioner has lost grip and if the seat belt recoils incorrectly it can cause the belt to fold and jam into the door making it difficult to pull back out. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!!

[@bmwblog]

Glad it was helpful. Will look into the seat belt one

[@jaydaniel1170]

My door handle completely came off any way to fix it

[@geonheekim]

wonderful !!!

[@bmwblog]

Glad you like it!

[@judejohnson3059]

Thank you!!a

[@bmwblog]

You're welcome! Glad you foun dit useful

[@lancewex]

I just did this, and afterward the door handles wouldn't work anymore. I had to restore them to loose.

[@bmwblog]

Did you follow the exact instructions? We can take a look again, but it worked for us

[@Moodle2001]

The same thing happened to me. After tightening, the door handle won’t open the door.

[@Moodle2001]

Just make sure that you don't overtighten it... then the fob/capcitive touch system won't actually unlock the doors.

[@Eatcrow]

These handles are garbage! 💩🚽 eventually the whole handle will repeatedly come off and no matter how hard you do the T20 screw up it still comes off. This is the second car that has had this problem, still trying to work out how to fix it and driving around with no door handle 🤬definitely a design fault

[@bmwblog]

I wonder if it happens on all i3 models. I've had 4 of them, and none had the issue. What year is your i3?

[@Eatcrow]

I have had 6 of them and it has happened on 3 of them 1. Tightened up OK 2. Had to go back to the dealer ( don’t know what they did ) 3. Current problem not fixed yet ( complete lock assembly on order ) The more you tighten the 20TQ screw for the handle the more it deforms the handle and makes the door handle stick as it distorts the handle in its holder, even if you sand off a bit of the plastic and lubricate the handle it makes no difference Deeply annoying 🤬

[@cristianseres1353]

I agree. The adjustment was not enough, the handle kept coming off. According to my local BMW garage the thread was worn off and it would cost about 450 € to replace the part inside the door.