2016 Bmw M4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (6) · Power Train (6) · Engine (4)
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 (229)
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.
Structure:body 2026-09-03 · B010826 · Warranty Program/Extension
the coverage period for qualifying lower rear side panel water drain repair that addresses the issues described in the service information bulletin has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles, as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
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
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 229 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-07 · Suspension“i am writing to report a critical structural safety defect involving the front steering knuckle (wheel carrier) on my 2016 bmw m4 gts. upon inspection, the original factory steering knuckle has developed severe structural cracks on both the top and bottom sections of the component. safety risk & hazard:the steering knuckle is a primary load-bearing…”
2025-12-08 · Power Train · 97,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 bmw m4. the contact stated that under previous ownership, the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign: 15v782000 (power train) at a local dealer. the contact stated that two years later, the contact was unsure if the vehicle was included or repaired under nhtsa campaign: 18v713000 (power train). the contact stat…”
2024-06-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System“filled car with gas and drove home , came out 10 minutes later to a puddle of fuel under car , from the fuel tank on the rear driver side…”
2023-05-24 · Suspension“both front steering bearing carriers (knuckles) cracked... this is a well documented defect on the m4 gts model that bmw has not addressed. …”
2022-06-13 · Suspension“the car only has 500 miles. it is a show car not taken out of the garage. went to change oil and inspection sticker. found to have a bad front knuckle. it is cracked. many forums on this. this car is limited and has very low miles by owners. this should not be occurring…”
2021-04-01 · Suspension · 6,500 mi“the billet aluminum steering knuckles/steering carriers are cracked at one of two bolt points causing a significant safety concern. this is a known manufacturer defect and bmw subsequently changed the design of the replacement part. this billet aluminum part is specific to the 2016 bmw m4 gts, a limited edition bmw m4. approximately 800 m4 gts's …”
2020-07-12 · Unknown Or Other · 48,000 mi“diagnosed with cooling system issue, 2nd cooling system dry/low or leaking, transmission issue, code 537, power train issue, car is quick shifting and skipping from 5th to 7th gear with a buzzing sound, and without a drop in power. the car only has 48,000 miles. we bought this car 5 months ago from a mercedes benz dealership in tyler, texas. it s…”
2020-02-16 · Engine · 33,000 mi“the crank hub on this vehicle can spun and brake inside the engine without any warning, if that happens on a hwy for example the vehicle will completely loose power and i can be involved in a accident which maybe fatal.…”
2020-01-31 · Engine“crank hub spins, its something that bmw manufacture should recall and fix because it can damage your whole engine.…”
2020-01-03 · Suspension · 1,837 mi“bmw is aware of a crack developing in a front suspension carrier (one each located on both the driver's side and passenger's side - two total). bmw had to replace my passenger side carrier under warranty. when i took my car in for an oil change, the service technician detected a hairline crack and ordered the replacement part from germany. i did no…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.