2016 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 93 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 12 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
23 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon driving and coming to a stop, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle, and there was smoke coming front the A/C vents. The contact stated that a passenger who was occupying the front passenger's side seat and became aware of the abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available .
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 6, 2025, crash
Vehicle Information: •Year, Make, Model: 2016 BMW 328i GT •VIN: Provide VIN •Mileage: Insert Mileage Description of the Problem: I am experiencing recurring drivetrain malfunctions and overheating issues with my 2016 BMW 328i GT, which is currently under a nationwide recall issued in August 2024. Despite having coolant in the system, the vehicle overheats and displays a “drivetrain malfunction” warning, forcing me to pull off the road and restart the car to temporarily clear the issue. Additionally, there appears to be a leak causing fluid to drip onto the belt and other components, further compromising the vehicle’s functionality and safety. My belt slips because of the leak and it has been severely deteriorated because of even after replacing it. The dealership has consistently advised me to repair this issue at my expense, quoting costs exceeding the value of the car. Only recently did I learn about the recall addressing this defect. The dealership has failed to provide timely solutions, leaving me without a drivable vehicle. Safety Concerns: These persistent issues pose serious safety risks. The drivetrain malfunction and overheating increase the likelihood of sudden breakdowns while driving, endangering myself and other road users. Pulling off unexpectedly also creates hazardous situations on highways or busy roads. Request for Action: I request that BMW resolve this recall promptly. If repairs cannot be completed within a reasonable timeframe, I demand compensation for my inability to use the vehicle, including reimbursement for expenses incurred during this period. Alternatively, BMW should provide me with a rental vehicle or replace my car with another comparable model free of defects. Failure to do so will prompt me to seek legal arbitration to recover damages and ensure accountability. Contact Information: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started decelerating unintendedly, with the message “Engine Hot – Stop Driving” was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the highway and waited for an hour for the engine to cool down, before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. There were no fault codes retrieved, and the contact was referred to the local dealer for assistance. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle but found no cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact linked the failure to the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 10, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact stated that after parking and turning the vehicle off, moments later the front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, a bystander who attempted to extinguish the flames was treated by EMS at the scene for headaches and smoke inhalation. A fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2023
Drive train malfunction. Throws itself in to neutral while driving. Lost the power to accelerate so had to coast to the shoulder.. Turned the car off and restarted it. Took to automotive shop via extended warranty suggested and I paid to have the pressure fuel piece. This same piece, apparently has a recall on the 2015 but not my year. Very upset. While out of town the same thing happened again. With a passenger. Very scary my car lost power and almost caused an accident.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 16, 2023, fire
known what failed the entire car was on fire= if there was no one near by it could have consumed more cars/buildings it has been inspected by BMW of north america and Geico the car was overheating the night before and had a check engine light. it was taken to the shop immediately and the fire started within less than 24 hours of the initial symptoms occurring.
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 25, 2023
The front brakes are locked up and I went to the dealer and they are asking $7000 to replace the dsc module. It was also braking while I was driving on the highway and I got scared and pulled over and checked everything looked okay but i didn’t know what happened. I am glad nobody was behind me when the car (bmw)brakes it self while it was running. I hope you do a further investigation and see what is happening to the bmw brakes. It only had 52139 miles when I send it to bmw of Dallas and they took 3 days to find the problem and told me I need to pay $7000 to replace the dsc module (abs module) I can’t afford to pay that kind of money what do I do
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2023
The central locking system frequently goes out and I'd have to replace the three doors actuators that don't work consistently. many times I'm locked in the car with the only way of getting out is by lowering the window and climbing out. according to my service advisor at BMW, this is a known problem with different models of BMW in this time frame. I really wish it would be considered a recall so at least myself and my family will feel safe and know that I can escape the car if necessary.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Oct 8, 2022
Vehicle disengaged itself from gear while driving on hwy going between 75-85 mph. Failed to re engage into gear when stepping on accelerator causing vehicle to just coast and slow down as fast moving traffic (semis) we’re approaching. Construction zone didn’t have shoulders to pull aside which made situation worst. Car did accelerate after a few attempts. The car did illuminate a “unable to recharge batteries, stop carefully and contact your nearest service shop” just prior to the situation. Seems like the i3 models are currently under a class action lawsuit for a similar defect and I fear that given that these cars are designed similarly within the same years using the same parts that this could be a similar situation. I noticed that the car acted in this way once the battery level indicated under 3% charge on the dash.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2022
When I drive and come to a stop, the car shifts into nuetral. This has happened several times. I have to put the car in Park and restart it. We have checked the codes and have replaced the battery. The car only has 51k miles on it and is not driven more than 2-4 days a week.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 9, 2022, fire
I was at a red light while driving my car.When I stepped on the gas once the light turned green the car stalled and started jerking i immediately smelled smoked and seen smoke coming through the cabin..lt made a strange sound from the engine The service engine light came on and said reduced engine power/ drive train malfunction get service immediately.I was able to coast the car to a curb luckily in front of a car shop as soon as i can get out of the car a worker from the shop ran outside yelling your car is on fire! We lift the hood and he had a water hose on the side of the shop he then sprayed the area of the fire and it was put out.I have kept regular routine maintenance on the car no prior signs of car malfunctioning or service engine light on no warning at all this was unexpected.This occurred February 8th 2022 I had the vehicle towed to my local Firestone auto care and they said the ignition coils were melted and something strange happened and to check with bmw because it was too catastrophic for them to fix since then I have had the vehicle at my home parked and after calling bmw they said there were no known recalls at the time…
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW 328I. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WITH THE START/STOP FEATURE ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO PARK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DRIVE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF SARASOTA (LOCATED AT 5151 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233, (941) 214-4155) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FEATURE OF SHIFTING INDEPENDENTLY INTO PARK WAS A FAIL SAFE MODE FOR THE BATTERY POWER REDUCTION. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,750.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2017
CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND INDICATOR WARNING COMES ON SAYING 'DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION' THE GAGE INDICATES THERE IS AT LEAST 42 MILES OF FUEL BEFORE EMPTY. LUCKILY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND BEFORE PUTTING ITSELF IN NEUTRAL. ALSO THE BRAKES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED BY BMW BUT THEY DO NOT STOP PROPERLY AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH. ALSO THE SUNROOF OPENS INDEPENDENTLY WHEN IT RAINS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT.
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2017
MY CAR IS ACTUALLY A 2017 BMW 340I BUT THE SYSTEM DID NOT ALLOW ME TO CHOOSE THAT CAR. I HAD THE AUTO-START/STOP FEATURE ENGAGED AND THE CAR STALLED ONCE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET AT THE TIME. I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT WOULDN'T START COMPLETELY OFF. I DISABLED THE FEATURE AND IT STOPPED DOING THIS. LATER ON JULY 5TH, THE CAR SIMPLY STOPPED STARTING ALL TOGETHER. AT THIS TIME I WAS PARKING IN MY PARKING GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF I TRIED STARTING IT BACK AND IT NO LONGER WORKED. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING VIDEO: HTTPS://WWW.DROPBOX.COM/S/GPQJS6IOHHG0L5T/VID_20170705_164538.MP4?DL=0
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 28, 2016
THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. YOU COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL EITHER TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS ON A 6 LANE ROAD STARTING TO GO FROM THE INTERSECTION. I KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER PERSON WITH AN X3 AS WELL. BMW IS CLAIMING THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. I WAS DRIVING A RALPH SCHOMP BMW LOANER AT THE TIME BECAUSE MY 2017 X3 WAS IN THE SHOP. I HAVE THE OTHER PERSON'S INFORMATION SHOULD YOU NEED IT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE OTHER PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO WAS ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT IS UNKNOWN TO ME WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT THE VEHICLE FLASHED LIGHTS AND TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE CAR. WHEN I DID, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT BMW IS HIDING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I KNOW THE SAME DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 15, 2016
SUDDEN ACCELERATION - ON TWO OCCASIONS (JUNE 12 AND 27, 2016), WHILE SLOWING AND COMING TO A STOP (ONCE TO PARK AND ONCE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE), THE CAR BUCKED AND REVVED AND WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO CONTROL, LURCHING FORWARD. ON THE FIRST OCCASION IT LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF FORCE AND HIT A FENCE AS I WAS PULLING IN SLOWLY TO PARK - I COULD NOT CONTROL IT WITH THE BRAKE UNTIL I PUT IT IN REVERSE; ON SECOND OCCASION (2 WEEKS LATER), I WAS ON A CITY STREET SLOWING TO 5MPH AND STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT AND SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS FULL FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR WAS REVVING AND BUCKING AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT UNTIL I THREW IT INTO PARK. FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME. BOTH TIMES DRIVING COMPLETELY STRAIGHT AND VERY SLOWLY INTO THE STOP. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON IT. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WITH VARIOUS TRANSMISSION STYLES - THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN "SPORT" TRANSMISSION; THE SECOND IT WAS IN THE DEFAULT ("CUSTOM"). ON JUNE 28, I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER. THEY HAVE NOW HAD IT NEARLY 3 WEEKS AND HAVE NOT TOLD ME ANYTHING, OTHER THAN THAT THE SOFTWARE IS BEING ANALYZED IN GERMANY AND SOMEONE FROM BMW NA NOW HAS MY FILE.