YearToAvoid

2016 BMW 428i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

50/100

#2 most-complained of 3 428i years

The 2016 BMW 428i has 43 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst among the 3 model years with data. Engine and electrical issues dominate, with 1 recall covering the water pump.

Complaints
43
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
22 city / 33 hwy

Top 2016 BMW 428i problems

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

  1. Engine25 (58%)
  2. Electrical System24 (56%)
  3. Other6 (14%)
  4. Brakes3 (7%)
  5. Fuel System2 (5%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
  9. Airbags1 (2%)
  10. HVAC1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles displayed a drive terrain malfunction error while at highway speed, causing sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate past low speeds.
  • Some owners reported unintended acceleration or surging while stopped with the foot on the brake.
  • Engines developed an abnormal ticking sound and lost the ability to exceed 5 mph, in one case requiring an engine replacement at 23,640 miles.
  • Brakes reportedly felt slower to respond than expected, with drivers unable to stop in time despite pressing the pedal immediately.
  • Electronic power steering (EPS) malfunctioned, requiring replacement of the entire steering rack outside of warranty.
  • Driver-side door lock actuators periodically stuck in the locked position, preventing the door handle from releasing normally.
2016 BMW 428i complaints: complaints filed per month8May 2017May 2019Jul 2020Jan 2022Nov 2024Mar 2025Aug 2025
70 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2017 to Mar 2026; peak Apr 2025 (8).

2016 BMW 428i 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 428i 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 428i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014No verdict036626
2015No verdict10077526
2016No verdict5043126

All BMW 428i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 BMW 428i reliable?
NHTSA lists 43 complaints for the 2016 428i, giving it a complaint index of 50 and a rank of 2nd worst among the 3 model years with data. Engine complaints make up 58% of reports and electrical system complaints make up 56%.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 BMW 428i?
Engine complaints are the largest category, accounting for 25 of 43 complaints (58%), with a median mileage at failure of 23,640 miles. Electrical system issues follow closely at 24 complaints (56%).
Does the 2016 BMW 428i have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA recall 24V608000 covers the water pump and plug connector on the 2016 428i and related BMW models; dealers replace the water pump and connector and install a protective shield.
How does the 2016 428i compare to other years?
The 2016 428i has a complaint index of 50, worse than the 2014 model's index of 0 but better than the 2015 model's index of 100, which had 77 complaints and 5 recalls.

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.