2016 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw M3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2018-10-11 · campaign 18V713000 · 2,661 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:frame And Members 2016-09-09 · campaign 16V653000 · 196 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2015-11-23 · campaign 15V782000 · 42 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (190)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2025-01-14 · B340921 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first 300 miles of operation when braking from low speed.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Suspension 2024-01-09 · B310124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
with the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking and orclicking type noise when turning the steering wheel left/right. see attached video v31 01 24. the sound can reoccur when the vehicle is lowered, and the wheels are once again under load. t
Steering 2024-01-08 · B360121 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
at low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees f) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. this can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the vide
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2023-10-13 · B340714 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. cause material-
Electrical System 2023-05-01 · B651523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
after programming the head unit (hu-h2), activating the fsc (german word freischaltcode) enabling codes repeatedly fails.
Showing the 6 most recent of 190 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-12-19 · Engine · 20,000 mi“there's a known issue with 2015+ bmw f80 m3 s55 engine. the issue is the crank hub spinning out and damaging the car. it leaves the vehicle in a dangerous state when driving on the road and to others near by. this issue happens to stock vehicles and modded ones. if the crank hub spins while the car is moving, it can leave the car in a dangerous s…”
2019-12-18 · Engine · 20,000 mi“there's a known issue with 2015+ bmw f80 m3 s55 engine. the issue is the crank hub spinning out and damaging the car. it leaves the vehicle in a dangerous state when driving on the road and to others near by. this issue happens to stock vehicles and modded ones. if the crank hub spins while the car is moving, it can leave the car in a dangerous sta…”
2019-12-18 · Engine · 28,000 mi“the crankhub on these cars are ticking time bombs and is likely to fail just outside of warranty forcing huge repair bills. in some cases, a "lucky" few just need to be retimed and only require 18 hours of labor. however, others have not been so lucky and have required an all-new engine. this is an issue bmw is fully aware of but has not taken resp…”
2019-07-15 · Suspension · 48,234 mi“keep hearing a knocking sound on driver side when going over bumps. feeling vibration under car under accelerating and breaking. carbon fiber roof laminate peeling off.…”
2018-06-05 · Unknown Or Other · 3,000 mi“i've taken my vehicle in to the service dealer multiple times since i've purchased the car back in nov. 2016. i noticed a clunking and jolting sensation from my rear axle which i knew was not normal. the dealer after diagnosing the issue told me it is normal and there isn't an issue at all. upon further research online and personal frustration k…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.