YearToAvoid

2016 BMW 428i Electrical System Problems

The 2016 BMW 428i has 24 Electrical System complaints, 56% of its 43 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,000 miles. Many of these tie to recall 24V608000 covering the water pump and plug connector, with owners reporting long waits for repair parts.

Electrical System complaints
24
56% of 43
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
74,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the driver's side door lock actuator intermittently sticks in the locked position, preventing the door handle from releasing normally.
  • Several owners describe the convertible top failing to open or close, leaving the car exposed during rain.
  • Multiple owners received recall notice 24V608000 for the electrical system and engine cooling but say the repair part was unavailable for an extended period.
  • Some owners report burning smells and unusual sounds accompanied by the engine stalling while driving or sitting in traffic.
  • Several complaints describe the vehicle intermittently failing to start after the recall notice was issued.

When 2016 BMW 428i electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 15, 2021, latest Sep 16, 2025.

2016 BMW 428i electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2021Sep 2024Nov 2024Jan 2025Mar 2025May 2025Aug 2025
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2021 to Sep 2025; peak Apr 2025 (4).

Electrical System recalls for the 2016 BMW 428i

  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.

Electrical System complaints by 428i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201417 (47%)
  2. 201535 (45%)
  3. 201624 (56%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems in the 2016 BMW 428i?
NHTSA lists 24 Electrical System complaints for the 2016 428i, which is 56% of all 43 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall related to the 2016 BMW 428i electrical system?
Yes. Recall 24V608000 covers the 2014-2016 428i and 428i xDrive for the Electrical System and Engine Cooling, involving inspection and replacement of the water pump and plug connector plus installation of a protective shield.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 74,000 miles at the time these electrical failures were reported.
Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
No. NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to the Electrical System complaints for this model year.
Are electrical complaints worse in 2016 than other 428i years?
The 2016 428i's electrical complaints make up 56% of its total complaints, higher than the 47% share in 2014 and 45% share in 2015.

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.