RoadVitals

2016 BMW M4

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.
22
+1 complaint in 30 days
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.
3
Latest Oct 11, 2018
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.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 BMW M4, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 228 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

  • Engine927.3%
  • Powertrain (other)824.2%
  • Suspension618.2%
  • Fuel system412.1%
  • Steering26.1%
  • Brakes13.0%
  • Interior & seats13.0%
  • Electrical13.0%

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

3 campaigns 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
18V713000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Oct 11, 2018
2,661 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
The risk: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView 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
15V782000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Nov 23, 2015
42 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
The risk: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 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

View all 22
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 7, 2026

I am writing to report a critical structural safety defect involving the front steering knuckle (wheel carrier) on my 2016 BMW M4 GTS. Upon inspection, the original factory steering knuckle has developed severe structural cracks on both the top and bottom sections of the component. Safety Risk & Hazard:The steering knuckle is a primary load-bearing suspension component responsible for securing the front wheel assembly, brakes, and steering linkage. Because this vehicle has developed cracks on both the top and bottom of the knuckle, it is at imminent risk of total catastrophic failure. A complete fracture of this component will result in immediate wheel detachment, total loss of steering control, and a severe high-speed crash. This presents an extreme and immediate safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. Manufacturer Awareness:BMW is fully aware of this inherent structural flaw. The original component (Part #31-21-2-289-301 / #31-21-2-289-302) has been quietly superseded by a completely redesigned, reinforced "v2" revised part to mitigate this exact cracking issue. Despite knowing that the original components are prone to dangerous fatigue and cracking under stress, BMW has not issued a safety recall to replace these defective first-generation knuckles on a vehicle explicitly marketed and sold for track-oriented performance. Action Requested:I request that the NHTSA immediately initiate a safety defect investigation into the first-generation BMW M4 GTS steering knuckles before a catastrophic failure results in a fatal accident. Furthermore, I request that BMW cover the immediate replacement of these defective components with the revised, structurally sound v2 parts at zero cost to the owner.

NHTSA ID
11762645
Incident
Aug 25, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 BMW M4. The contact stated that under previous ownership, the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 15V782000 (Power Train) at a local dealer. The contact stated that two years later, the contact was unsure if the vehicle was included or repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 18V713000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed with an imbalanced drive shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ID
11703660
Incident
Nov 19, 2025
Mileage
97,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 19, 2024

Filled car with gas and drove home , came out 10 minutes later to a puddle of fuel under car , from the fuel tank on the rear driver side

NHTSA ID
11595365
Incident
Jun 19, 2024
Suspension
Filed May 24, 2023

Both front steering bearing carriers (knuckles) cracked... this is a well documented defect on the M4 GTS model that BMW has not addressed.

NHTSA ID
11523605
Incident
May 8, 2023
Suspension
Filed Jun 13, 2022

The car only has 500 miles. It is a show car not taken out of the garage. Went to change oil and inspection sticker. Found to have a bad front knuckle. It is cracked. Many forums on this. This car is limited and has very low miles by owners. This should not be occurring

NHTSA ID
11469056
Incident
Jun 13, 2022
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 1, 2021

THE BILLET ALUMINUM STEERING KNUCKLES/STEERING CARRIERS ARE CRACKED AT ONE OF TWO BOLT POINTS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND BMW SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT PART. THIS BILLET ALUMINUM PART IS SPECIFIC TO THE 2016 BMW M4 GTS, A LIMITED EDITION BMW M4. APPROXIMATELY 800 M4 GTS'S WERE EVER BUILT AND THESE PARTS ARE FAILING AT ALL MILEAGE VALUES. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON BIMMERPOST.COM FROM SEVERAL OWNERS. BMW WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE IF THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE; MINE HAS 6,500 MILES. IF THE SECOND BOLT FAILS, THE COMPONENT WILL NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE STRUT AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURY AND POTENTIALLY DEATH. I NOTIFIED BMW AND THEY DENIED THE CLAIM AFTER 4 WEEKS OF REVIEW WITHOUT ANY REASON.

NHTSA ID
11405983
Incident
Feb 27, 2021
Mileage
6,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 12, 2020

DIAGNOSED WITH COOLING SYSTEM ISSUE, 2ND COOLING SYSTEM DRY/LOW OR LEAKING, TRANSMISSION ISSUE, CODE 537, POWER TRAIN ISSUE, CAR IS QUICK SHIFTING AND SKIPPING FROM 5TH TO 7TH GEAR WITH A BUZZING SOUND, AND WITHOUT A DROP IN POWER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO FROM A MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP IN TYLER, TEXAS. IT SHOWS ON THIS SIGHT THAT THERE'S 3 RECALLS.

NHTSA ID
11338878
Incident
Jul 4, 2020
Mileage
48,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 16, 2020

THE CRANK HUB ON THIS VEHICLE CAN SPUN AND BRAKE INSIDE THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IF THAT HAPPENS ON A HWY FOR EXAMPLE THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY LOOSE POWER AND I CAN BE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WHICH MAYBE FATAL.

NHTSA ID
11309554
Incident
Feb 10, 2020
Mileage
33,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

B340921

SERVICE BRAKES

A turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first 300 miles of operation when braking from low speed.

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.

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.

B514616

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.

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 M4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025000—
2024100—
2023000—
2022200—
2021120—
2020120—
2019010—
2018610—
2017230—
2016Viewing223055.4
2015123053.6
2014020—

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.