YearToAvoid

2016 BMW 328i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

18/100

#10 most-complained of 12 328i years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2016 BMW 328i has 57 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 18 out of 100 — #10 highest of 12 328i model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (30 complaints, 53% of the total). Complaints report 8 crashes, 4 fires, and 6 injuries.

Complaints
57
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
8 / 4
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
22 city / 33 hwy

Top 2016 BMW 328i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine30 (53%)
  2. Electrical System21 (37%)
  3. Other14 (25%)
  4. Brakes8 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain8 (14%)
  6. Steering3 (5%)
  7. Airbags2 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (4%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
  10. Fuel System1 (2%)
2016 BMW 328i complaints: complaints filed per month7Jul 2016Oct 2018Sep 2020Oct 2022Aug 2023Nov 2024Jul 2025Sep 2026
93 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2024 (7).

2016 BMW 328i recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

    BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2016 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other 328i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution55151826
2015Good36124426
2016Best1857126

All BMW 328i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 BMW 328i a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 BMW 328i ranks #10 of 12 among 328i model years (Complaint Index 18/100, verdict: Best). It has 57 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW 328i?
The most reported problem areas are engine (30 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints), and brakes (8 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 28,500 miles.
Does the 2016 BMW 328i have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 BMW 328i, most recently reported 2024, covering electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 BMW 328i?
EPA rates the 2016 BMW 328i at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.