2016 BMW X4 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 X4, 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
- Engine426.7%
- Electrical426.7%
- Suspension213.3%
- Other / unspecified16.7%
- Powertrain (other)16.7%
- Fuel system16.7%
- Brakes16.7%
- Airbags16.7%
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 X4. The contact was notified 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. 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 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 X4. The contact was notified 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The engine overheated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in the middle of the street. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to the warranty company; however, the contact was informed that the failure was an electrical failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,777.
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 contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal popping noise was coming from vehicle while driving over a speed bump or while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed; the diagnostic test showed that the control arm was defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
VEHICLE WAS SET WITH INCORRECT REAR CAMBER/ALIGNMENT/TOE-IN LEADING TO VERY PREMATURE INSIDE EDGE REAR TIRE WEAR WITH BOTH REAR TIRES. THIS CREATES UNSAFE HANDLING CONDITIONS, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, AND A SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN TIRES FAIL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS SET WITH INCORRECT REAR CAMBER/ALIGNMENT/TOE-IN LEADING TO VERY PREMATURE INSIDE EDGE REAR TIRE WEAR WITH BOTH REAR TIRES. THIS CREATES UNSAFE HANDLING CONDITIONS, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, AND A SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN TIRES FAIL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle has stalled while in operation (at speed) 5 times since owning. All were very dangerous situations for my wife and surrounding drivers. All issues were apparently "fuel system" related. I purchased this vehicle on May 11, 2018 (POC) from Fields BMW South Orlando, FL. The car was most recently brought in for repair for a continued issue on May 3, 2021. Vehicle has never been in a wreck and has roughly 73K miles. •5/31/2018 – Issue with fuel system. Car started shaking and would not start. 2 weeks after purchase. •6/05/2018 – Issue with fuel system. Vehicle stalls while in operation. •8/21/2018 – Vehicle is losing acceleration while driving. Drive train malfunction light comes on. •3/5/2019 – Check engine light on. Faulty tank ventilation pressure switch. •6/23/2020 – Car stalls while driving (35 mph+) and strands me in the middle of an intersection. Car will not switch out of park. Police had to come to move the vehicle. Very dangerous situation. Wife is driving, 3 months pregnant at this time. •8/15/2020 – Car stalls while driving. Again, driving around 30+ mph. Wife had to quickly pull the car to the median. Dangerous situation. Car will not switch out of park. Wife is driving, 5 months pregnant. •5/3/2021 – Car stalls while driving. Luckily able to coast into a gas station under no power. Car will not switch out of park. Wife stranded with no AC with 3-month-old baby and 9 yr. old daughter. - 5/17/2021 - Transfer Case Needs Replacement Besides the fuel system issues, I believe there is a dangerous feature with this vehicle in that it cannot be switched out of park when it loses power. Being stuck in the middle of an intersection and unable to move a car into neutral (even with police officer) is extremely dangerous. Vehicle was inspected by a BMW TSE for transfer case issue. They say it needs to be replaced. This vehicle is a danger and should not be on the road.
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
Vehicle has stalled while in operation (at speed) 5 times since owning. All were very dangerous situations for my wife and surrounding drivers. All issues were apparently "fuel system" related. I purchased this vehicle on May 11, 2018 (POC) from Fields BMW South Orlando, FL. The car was most recently brought in for repair for a continued issue on May 3, 2021. Vehicle has never been in a wreck and has roughly 73K miles. •5/31/2018 – Issue with fuel system. Car started shaking and would not start. 2 weeks after purchase. •6/05/2018 – Issue with fuel system. Vehicle stalls while in operation. •8/21/2018 – Vehicle is losing acceleration while driving. Drive train malfunction light comes on. •3/5/2019 – Check engine light on. Faulty tank ventilation pressure switch. •6/23/2020 – Car stalls while driving (35 mph+) and strands me in the middle of an intersection. Car will not switch out of park. Police had to come to move the vehicle. Very dangerous situation. Wife is driving, 3 months pregnant at this time. •8/15/2020 – Car stalls while driving. Again, driving around 30+ mph. Wife had to quickly pull the car to the median. Dangerous situation. Car will not switch out of park. Wife is driving, 5 months pregnant. •5/3/2021 – Car stalls while driving. Luckily able to coast into a gas station under no power. Car will not switch out of park. Wife stranded with no AC with 3-month-old baby and 9 yr. old daughter. - 5/17/2021 - Transfer Case Needs Replacement Besides the fuel system issues, I believe there is a dangerous feature with this vehicle in that it cannot be switched out of park when it loses power. Being stuck in the middle of an intersection and unable to move a car into neutral (even with police officer) is extremely dangerous. Vehicle was inspected by a BMW TSE for transfer case issue. They say it needs to be replaced. This vehicle is a danger and should not be on the road.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
After starting vehicle and putting it into drive, I received a Parking Brake Malfunction error message. The electronic parking brake was engaged and it could not be release allowing the vehicle to move. I attempted to reset the electronic parking brake following the dealerships recommendations. 1) remove and replace the fuses for the parking system (3 fuses) and 2) disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes and re-connecting the battery in order to reset the computer. Neither of these methods worked, and there is no way to manually release the parking brake. Ultimately, the vehicle was towed to the local BMW dealership for service. They have not been able to diagnose or fix the issue. thankfully, the malfunction happened while pulling out of the garage, and not at speed on the interstate. That could have been disastrous. This appears to be a serious engineering flaw in BMW vehicles equipped with electronic parking brake systems.
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
Vehicle was involved in a collision with right/ passenger front and side of vehicle. whole bumper knocked off. left front tire broke off during collision. Passenger side curtain air bag deployed. Stirring air bag did not deploy nor did the curtain airbag on driver side. Passenger injured with broken nose and face injury during collision.
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 .