2016 BMW 328I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 328I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2733.8%
- Electrical2126.3%
- Brakes810.0%
- Powertrain (other)810.0%
- Driver assistance56.3%
- Steering33.8%
- Airbags22.5%
- Visibility11.3%
- Body & structure11.3%
- Fuel system11.3%
- Interior & seats11.3%
- Seat belts11.3%
- Suspension11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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.
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 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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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.
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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Parking brake retainer Clio failed in highway causing car to lose control in the highway.
Car started to have low coolant when i would replace it instantly and i took it to a shop and they told me it has a recall.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
car stops while driving, battery also draws while not in use. which is very dangerous. Already filed report with dealer ship for car. We will be having an another baby this winter and it is getting to the point where It can be very dangerous for my family. We got it checked but since it’s a manufacturer issue is what they said. Since this car doesn’t have any recalls dealer doesn’t want to do anything. We noticed that many other cars of same year have the same problem.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MARCH 22, 2021, I WAS PARKING MY 2016 BMW GRAN TURISMO 328X AT A PARKING GARAGE. II HAD COMPLETED THE INITIAL TURN-IN, WHEN THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WENT FROM APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 20 MPH IN THE LENGTH OF A PARKING SPOT. THE CAR HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER HEAD ON, WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN, STEERING WHEEL AND LEG AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE CAR WAS FULLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED BY THE BMW DEALER WITH BRAND NEW TIRES. IT HAD ABOUT 78K MILES ON IT. THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING DID NOT GO OFF NOR DID THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING OCCUR. I ASKED THE REPAIR FACILITY TO CHECK OUT WHY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, BUT WAS TOLD THAT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND THAT THE CAR WAS TOTALED ANYWAY. I DID NOT PRESS THE ACCELERATOR 'ACCIDENTALLY'. I HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF DRIVERS TRAINING AND EVASIVE MANUVERING BECAUSE OF MY JOB AND DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES LIKE THAT. I AM GRATEFUL THAT NO ONE OTHER THAN I WAS HURT AND THAT THERE WAS THE CONCRETE BARRIER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT MADE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED AS THERE WAS MORE THAN 15K DAMAGE. USAA HAS THE CAR.
ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, I WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY ONCE THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED: I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL AS I WAS BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP. SUDDENLY (WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE GAS PEDAL) THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGH RPM WHICH LURCHED THE CAR FORWARD A BIT. SINCE I WAS ALREADY BRAKING, I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY AND PRESS DOWN EVEN HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND KEPT IT IN PLACE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND I SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE ENGINE STAYED REVVED AT VERY HIGH RPMS AS IF I WAS FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, EVEN THOUGH I COULD LOOK DOWN AND CONFIRM THAT MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE. AT THIS POINT I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NOT OUT OF PLACE OR AFFECTING THE PEDALS IN ANY WAY. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THE CAR IDLED NORMALLY WITH NO ISSUES. I TESTED DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND PULLED INTO SEVERAL MORE PARKING SPOTS TO SEE IF THE ISSUE WOULD REOCCUR, BUT IT DID NOT. I DROVE HOME NORMALLY AND PARKED WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS, AND WILL BE TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AS SOON A POSSIBLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Received recall notice 5 months ago from BMW. Why is it taking so long for them to address this issue?
The steering rack in the car failed prior to 100,000 miles. BMW has had issues from models 2012 to 2015 and recalled their steering racks. The same issue was happening in the 2016 year.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE AND I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT ON 2/14/2018 IN WHICH WE WERE REAR ENDED AND SHOVED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH DISCHARGED INSIDE THE DASH BUT DID NOT DEPLOY INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. WE WERE SITTING STILL IN TRAFFIC WHEN WE WERE REAR ENDED BY A FULL SIZE CHEVROLET PICK UP TRUCK THAT HIT US ABOUT 35-40 MPH. WE WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SHE IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE BACK AND NECK PAIN, AS WELL AS BRUISING TO HER ARM, SHOULDER, AND BREAST.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sunroof exploded while driving on the highway
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
When the fuel gauge reads 1/4 of a tank or less the car stalls sporadically and comes to a jerking stop. This causes the cars behind us to either slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid hitting us. We reported this to our local BMW dealer and were told this is a known issue on many models, including ours. However, our car was not included in the existing recalls, so we could either pay for a diagnostic test and the fix OR keep the tank filled. Existing recalls involved the following: In-tank fuel tank sensor getting stuck In-tank fuel line incorrectly attached In-tank fuel pump wires crimped Improper nickel plating within fuel pump Engine control unit software failure
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE AND I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT ON 2/14/2018 IN WHICH WE WERE REAR ENDED AND SHOVED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH DISCHARGED INSIDE THE DASH BUT DID NOT DEPLOY INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. WE WERE SITTING STILL IN TRAFFIC WHEN WE WERE REAR ENDED BY A FULL SIZE CHEVROLET PICK UP TRUCK THAT HIT US ABOUT 35-40 MPH. WE WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SHE IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE BACK AND NECK PAIN, AS WELL AS BRUISING TO HER ARM, SHOULDER, AND BREAST.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Hi BMW I have noticed issues with my seatbelts but more specifically my engine light keeps turning on. My driving seat will not buckle. Simple last Saturday.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE FRONT END WILL SHAKE AND LURCH LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING AT OR BELOW 25MPH, AND A SMALL BUT SHARP BUMP IN THE ROAD IS DRIVEN OVER, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WILL SHAKE AND THE SUSPENSION IN THE FRONT (IN PARTICULAR THE DRIVERS SIDE) WILL MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING/POPPING SOUND. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES. THEY TELL ME THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL AND COMMON ON THIS YEAR AND MAKE. WHEN GOING ONLINE AND TYPING INTO GOOGLE "2016 BMW 328I STEERING NOISE/SUSPENSION NOISE" THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF EXACTLY WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING. I'M AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL AT SOME POINT IF THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION FAILS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .