KnownCarProblems2016 BMW 320i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 320i, most often about the engine (40% of complaints, typically around 132,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 320i model year since 2000.
Most common 2016 BMW 320i problems
Engine
10 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 132,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320i. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact found information regarding technical service bulletin: sib 11116 (engine and engine cooling released in july 2017). The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be…
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320i. The contact stated that the drive train failure, check engine, and engine overheating warning lights were illuminated. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and fluid was leaking underneath the vehicle near the muffler and under the driver's side seat. The vehicle was taken…
Brakes
7 complaints · 28%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…
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…
Air bags
5 complaints · 20%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…
Takata recall - a safety recall has not yet been issued for this vehicle and/or its takata airbag system. Driver of the vehicle was stopped on a two lane highway attempting to take a left hand turn when she was rear ended by another vehicle traveling approximately 55 MPH. After impact, her vehicle traveled across the…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 20%Parts named most often: body.
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…
Takata recall - a safety recall has not yet been issued for this vehicle and/or its takata airbag system. Driver of the vehicle was stopped on a two lane highway attempting to take a left hand turn when she was rear ended by another vehicle traveling approximately 55 MPH. After impact, her vehicle traveled across the…
Transmission
3 complaints · 12%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…
To NHTSA: not too long ago the timing chain and rear differential pinion bearing went out on my 2016 BMW 320i ([]) timing chain issue shouldn't occur on a motor which only produces 180 horsepower with no mods or tunes. The rear differential should definitely never give out unless you're pushing over 700 horsepower on…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 BMW 320i recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2016 BMW 320i
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW 320i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (10 complaints, typically around 132,000 miles); brakes (7 complaints); air bags (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 BMW 320i have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 BMW 320i. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the BMW 320i?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 320i model year since 2000, with 25 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.