2016 BMW M3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#9 most-complained of 13 M3 years
The 2016 BMW M3 has a Complaint Index of 33 with 5 complaints and 3 recalls, ranking 9th out of 13 model years. It's rated Good relative to other M3 years, well ahead of 2011 (index 100) and 2013 (92).
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 25 hwy
Top 2016 BMW M3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (60%)
- Other1 (20%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (20%)
What owners report
- Engine crank hub reportedly spins out on the S55 engine, leaving the car with sudden power loss while driving.
- Owners describe the crank hub failure as a known defect that can require retiming or, in worse cases, a full engine replacement.
- At the reported median mileage of 20,000 miles, some owners say the issue surfaces just outside of warranty coverage.
- A separate complaint describes a knocking sound from the driver side over bumps along with vibration during acceleration and braking, at 48,234 miles.
- The same complaint reports the carbon fiber roof laminate peeling off.
2016 BMW M3 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V713000Oct 11, 2018Transmission & Powertrain2,661 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Risk: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 16V653000Sep 9, 2016Structure & Body196 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
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.
Risk: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 15V782000Nov 23, 2015Transmission & Powertrain42 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
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.
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.
2016 BMW M3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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 M3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 BMW M3 reliable?
- Relative to other M3 model years, the 2016 is rated Good, with a Complaint Index of 33, the 9th-worst out of 13 years tracked. It has fewer complaints (5) than years like 2011 (31 complaints, index 100).
- What problems does the 2016 BMW M3 have?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2016 M3 center on the engine (60% of complaints), specifically the crank hub on the S55 engine, reported at a median of 20,000 miles. There are also isolated reports of a knocking noise, vibration, and roof laminate peeling at 48,234 miles.
- Does the 2016 BMW M3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 M3: driveshaft-to-flange connection failure (18V713000), rear sub-frame bolts (16V653000), and a driveshaft inspection/replacement recall (15V782000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 M3 compare to other M3 years?
- The 2016 M3 ranks 9th worst of 13 model years with a Complaint Index of 33, better than 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2018, which are all rated Avoid with indexes of 83, 100, 92, and 75 respectively.