2016 BMW M3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 BMW M3 ranks 13th of 18 model years with a complaint index of 29 and rates Good relative to other M3 years. It has 5 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 crashes, and 0 fires reported to NHTSA, with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #13 of 18 M3 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 BMW M3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the crank hub spinning out on the S55 engine, cutting power and leaving the car in a dangerous state while driving.
- Some describe the crank hub issue as intermittent, sometimes requiring just retiming and other times a full engine replacement.
- One owner reported a knocking sound from the driver side over bumps along with vibration under acceleration and braking.
- The same owner reported 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?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 M3 rates Good compared to other M3 years, with a complaint index of 29 and only 5 complaints logged, no crashes or fires.
- What problems does the 2016 BMW M3 have?
- The top problem area is the engine, accounting for 60% of complaints, centered on the S55 engine's crank hub, along with isolated reports of structure/body noise and vibration.
- Does the 2016 BMW M3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 M3, covering the driveshaft-to-flange connection, rear sub-frame bolts, and a driveshaft inspection/replacement campaign.
- How does the 2016 M3 compare to other M3 years?
- It ranks 13th worst of 18 years tracked, well below higher-complaint years like 2008 (complaint index 100) and 2009 (94), which both carry Avoid verdicts.
- At what mileage do 2016 M3 engine problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 20,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.