RoadVitals

2016 BMW M2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Mar 19, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 9, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 BMW M2, most frequently naming the exterior lighting category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 131 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting5100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V653000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Sep 9, 2016
196 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
The risk: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 19, 2020

THE CONTRAST OF THE GAUGES ARE SO POOR THAT IN CERTAIN LIGHTING (DUSK, DAWN, MOMENTS OF SHADOW BY TREES) THEY BECOME ILLEGIBLE. IT IS EXAGGERATED BY WEARING SUNGLASSES. THE CURRENT MODELS HAVE CORRECTED THIS, BUT OWNERS OF 2016-2017 MODELS (MYSELF INCLUDED) HAVE NO RECOURSE. STRAINING TO SEE THE TACHOMETER OR SPEEDOMETER IS NOT SAFE!

NHTSA ID
11318752
Incident
Jan 31, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 22, 2017

SPEEDOMETER NUMBERS ARE GRAY ON A GRAY BACKGROUND MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ IN OVERCAST CONDITIONS IN THE DAYTIME. CAN LEAD TO IMPROPER SPEED RELATIVE TO THE POSTED SPEED. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND BMW HAS SINCE CORRECTED IN 2018 VERSIONS OF THE CAR. THERE IS AN ENTIRE THREAD DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE ON A BMW ENTHUSIAST FORUM. I HAVE ATTACHED A COUPLE PICTURES. HTTP://F87.BIMMERPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=22486341&POSTCOUNT=228

NHTSA ID
11056043
Incident
Apr 4, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 15, 2017

INSTRUMENT GAUGES HARD TO SEE IN DAYLIGHT. POORLY LIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11015349
Incident
Aug 15, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 15, 2017

DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN DUE TO POOR LIGHTING.

NHTSA ID
11015342
Incident
Jul 12, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 16, 2016

INSTRUMENT GAUGES HARD TO READ IN DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
10916368
Incident
Oct 16, 2016

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B310124

SUSPENSION

With the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking and orclicking type noise when turning the steering wheel left/right. See attached video V31 01 24. The sound can reoccur when the vehicle is lowered, and the wheels are once again under load. The noise might also be heard for a short time while driving.

B360121

STEERING

At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.

B513218

STRUCTURE

The paint finish on the door jamb (above the door striker) is scratched due to the inner door cavity window seal.

B340714

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-

B651523

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW M2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024100—
2023010—
2022000—
2021120—
2020220—
2019010—
2018310—
2017170034.0
2016Viewing510—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.