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
93 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 (NA) BMW 320I. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT THROUGH SOME SHRUBS AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE LAWN OF A BANK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ISSUED A CHECK FOR THE BODY REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED THE MECHANICAL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 17, 2018
SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. NO INJURY AS ROOF SLIDER (THIN SLIDE PANEL UNDERNEATH GLASS) WAS CLOSED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. NO APPARENT IMPACT POINT, GLASS APPEARS TO BE EXPANDED OUTWARD (VS. INWARD).
Vehicle speed control, Jan 14, 2018, crash
I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER THE PARKING BARRIER AND CRASHED INTO A POST.
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2017
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WITH NO CARS IN FRONT AND NO OVERPASS, THE FRONT SUNROOF PANEL SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THE EDGES OF THE REMAINING GLASS BULGE UPWARD AND THE CENTER OF THE GLASS PANEL IS GONE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2017
I WAS DRIVING APPX 45 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) ON A SUBURBAN STREET WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF POWER, SLOWED DOWN TO A CRAWL AND BECAME TOTALLY LIMP. MEANWHILE, THE IMAGE ON THE NAVI SCREEN STATED, "POWERTRAIN FAILURE, DRIVE MODERATE SPEED" OR SOMETHING LIKE IT. I MANAGED TO MAKE A VERY SLOW LEFT TURN ONTO A CROSS STREET B/C I WAS IN SHOCK. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY AN ONCOMING CAR GOING 45-50 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RUSNAK BMW; AFTER INVESTIGATION, THEY STATED IT HAD A "BAD FUEL PUMP," AND THAT THEY HAVE "COUNTLESS FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH BMW DIESEL CARS". THE CAR NOW HAS A NEW FUEL PUMP. I COULD HAVE DIED!
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 27, 2017
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH THE OPTIONAL "ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL" (ACC). UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED BY THE DRIVER, THE ACC ENGAGEMENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE TERMINATED. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THE ACC REMAINS ENGAGED DESPITE THE DRIVER'S USE OF THE BRAKES. WHEN THE ACC IS ENGAGED AND DETECTS AN OBJECT AHEAD, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY BY THE ACC. IF, WHILE THE BRAKES ARE STILL BE APPLIED BY THE ACC AND THE DRIVER ALSO PRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ACC SHOULD BE DISENGAGED AND REMAIN OFF. HOWEVER, IF THE OBJECT PREVIOUSLY DETECTED AHEAD HAS CLEARED AND THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKES, THE ACC CONTROL IS RESTORED AND THE CAR ACCELERATES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND CONFUSING RESPONSE. DRIVERS INSTINCTIVELY EXPECT ANY CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND REMAIN DISENGAGED UPON BRAKE APPLICATION.THE BMW ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT PERFORM THIS WAY IN THE SITUATION DESCRIBED. THIS ACC RESPONSE IS A REPEATABLE DEFECT THAT HAS CAUSED ME TO EXPERIENCE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING.
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
Air bags, Jun 27, 2017, crash
IN MARCH 2017, I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON THE RIGHT LANE OF A PARKWAY, WHEN A VEHICLE THAT WAS TWO CARS BEHIND ME, ACCELERATES OUT TO THE MIDDLE LANE, HE LOSES CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE, HIS CAR GOES TO THE LEFT LANE THEN TURNS AROUND ALMOST PERPENDICULAR TO ME, AND COLLIDES INTO MY VEHICLE PUSHING ME OFF ONTO THE EMBANKMENT, CONTINUING TO COLLIDE INTO MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES, BEFORE HIS CAR GOES UP INTO THE AIR AND LANDS ON THE HOOD, BACKWARDS. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE, AND THE MULTIPLE COLLISIONS AGAINST MY VEHICLE SEEMED ENDLESS. WHEN HIS CAR WENT UP IN THE AIR, I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO CRUSH ME. NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS NOR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESPITE THE MULTIPLE COLLISIONS ALL ALONG THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. AT THE FIRST STRIKE, MY HEAD WENT FORWARD AND BACK HARD, MULTIPLE TIMES; THROAT CONSTRICTED DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING, IMMEDIATE ONSET OF VISE LIKE HEADACHES FROM FOREHEAD TO ENTIRE HEAD, SPASMS, SEVERE DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, WANTED TO VOMIT BUT IT COULD NOT PASS THROUGH. IMMEDIATE SPASMS IN MY NECK GOING TO MY ENTIRE BACK TIGHTENING IT ALL UP, THROAT WAS TIGHT, HARD TO SWALLOW; CHEST PAIN AND HEAVINESS/PRESSURE, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, ABDOMINAL PAIN, TREMBLING, BOTH SHOULDERS WITH PAIN, LEFT ARM HEAVINESS; LEFT GREATER THAN RIGHT. LEGS FELT LIKE JELLO. I FELT MY ENTIRE NERVOUS SYSTEM WAS JOLTED FROM MY HEAD TO MY FEET,VIBRATING/BUZZING LIKE A SEA CHURNING INSIDE OF ME. AS THE CAR KEPT COLLIDING INTO ME, I WAS YELLING,"I AM GOING TO DIE" OVER AND OVER, SOBBING. INCONSOLABLE. ONCE IT ALL STOPPED, I TRIED TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR, BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN IT WAS STUCK. I OPENED THE SUN ROOF TO WAVE MY HANDS TO SIGNAL FOR HELP. PEOPLE CAME OVER TO ME, THEY CALLED 911; MY LEGS FELT WEAK, LIKE JELLO. POLICE EXTRICATED ME, I WAS PUT IN AN AMBULANCE WITH A NECK COLLAR. MY CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT.
Structure, Mar 16, 2017
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 40 MPH, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT OR A LOUD POP OVERHEAD. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND THE SUNROOF HAD A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE GLASS WAS BOWING UPWARDS. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PASSING ME AT THE TIME AND I DID NOT SEE ANY PROJECTILES COMING TOWARD THE CAR THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE. THE SUNROOF JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED.
Wheels, Mar 2, 2017
HIT A POT HOLE & LATER FOR A LARGE BULGE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA S001 RUN FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE SINCE NO ONE(BMW OR BRIDGESTONE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE. I WILL NEVER BUY A CAR WITH LOW PROFILE TIRES AGAIN. I DID REPLACE A PREVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TIRE THAT DISPLACED A SIMILAR BULGE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO INSTANCE OF A CSUSE FOR DAMAGE. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT AT COSTCO SINCE IT COMES WITH A WARRENTY FOR SAID DAMAGE. NOW COSTCO DOES NOT HAVE THIS TIRE IN THEIR INVENTORY DUE TO THE TIRE NOT CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO POOR DESIGN/QUALITY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Dec 5, 2016, crash
I WAS DRIVING IN A 25 MPH ZONE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, DRY ROADS DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR HEAD ON. I HIT THE CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE AND DAMAGE TO MY CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR
Engine, Nov 16, 2016
WHILE DRIVING HOME TODAY 11/16/2016 - I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH THE SPEED LIMIT OF 25 AND THE POWER CUT OUT ON THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET HOME. I CALLED BMW ROADSIDE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP
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
Power train, Sep 18, 2016
INCIDENT DATE: 9/18 LOCATION: NEW YORK STATE VEHICLE MILEAGE: 15,000 VEHICLE ACTION: ENTERING & ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY DESCRIPTION: AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5HRS OF DRIVING, ON THE WAY HOME FROM A WEDDING IN RURAL NEW YORK, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SIGNIFICANT ENGINE VIBRATION AND A WARNING MESSAGE WHICH DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AND ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND MAKE A SAFE EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE LIGHT, OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. TEMPORARY FIX: ONCE SAFELY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I CONTACTED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE DISCUSSING OPTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES ON THE PHONE, WITHOUT A GOOD SOLUTION (GIVEN THE RURAL LOCATION AND DAY OF THE WEEK), I DECIDED TO RESTART THE CAR. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER SUCCESSFULLY AND DID NOT INDICATE AN ERROR. I DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE IT THE BALANCE OF THE 4+ HOUR TRIP WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON THE OPEN OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY 9/19, I INTEND TO CONTACT MY LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSED IMMEDIATELY.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2016, crash
FRONT OF VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. MY CAR REAR ENDED A CAR AND DAMAGE WAS ENOUGH TO FRACTURE MY STERNUM AND BREAK 2 RIBS TO ME. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. FRONT IS PUSHED OVER FRONT TIRES AND HOOD FOLDED. I HAVE PHOTOS. VEHICLE WAS SLOWING FOR TRAFFIC AND TURN ON A CITY STREET.
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.
Service brakes, Mar 21, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS IN MOTION, A NEW 2016 BMW 328 GT, THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED, CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED, EMERGENCY BRAKE PULLED WITH FULL PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL, CAR EVENTUALLY SLOWED AND STOPPED BEFORE STRIKING OTHER VEHICLES IN ITS PATH. CAR RETURNED TO BMW AND BMW STATED THAT BRAKES NOW WORK. BMW REFUSED TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSESSMENT OR SERVICE DESPITE BEING AWARE OF RECENT PRIOR VEHICLES FOR BMW BRAKE FAILURE.