Model year record
2016 BMW 320i recalls & problems
The 2016 BMW 320i has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 25 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (7 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2016 BMW 320i.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
320i
| City / highway | 23 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
320i
| City / highway | 23 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
320i xDrive
| City / highway | 23 / 34 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 7 | 16,621 mi |
| Engine | 7 | 150,000 mi |
| Air bags | 5 | 34,436 mi |
| StructureBody | 5 | 32,000 mi |
| Power train | 3 | 145,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger | 3 | 119,000 mi |
| Electrical system | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | — |
| Seat belts | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that the Drive Train Failure, Check Engine, and Engine Overheating warning lights were illuminated. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and fluid was leaking underneath the vehicle near the muffler and under the driver's side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the codes were cleared but the failures persisted. Another dealer, Hendrick BMW Northlake (10720 Northlake Auto Plaza Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269); was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and found information about a recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not…
- EngineFire
The contact owned a 2016 BMW 320i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated that while walking into the house that she noticed the fuel odor. The contact stated that after entering the residence, the contact walked back out and noticed the vehicle was on fire. The contact noticed the fire coming from the engine hood. The fire department was called. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle and the items in the vehicle were consumed in the fire. The contact stated that the garage, which was attached to the contact's residence, and the items in the garage were consumed in the fire. In addition, the…
- EngineFire
The contact owned a 2016 BMW 320i. The contact stated that after driving approximately 28 miles, arriving at her residence to park the vehicle in the garage, and noticed a burning odor. Upon inspection, a fire was coming from underneath the hood. The contact, lacking a fire extinguisher, attempted to use flour to extinguish the fire. However, upon returning, the fire was larger and made a loud noise as it expanded, before quickly reducing in size. The contact called the fire department and began removing items from the vehicle. The contact retreated to a safe distance from the garage where the vehicle was parked and awaited the fire department's arrival. The Fire Department arrived, and the…
- Engine
i have previously reported this issue, confirmation #11656013. However, after diagnostic with a Certified BMW Service Center, i wish to follow up and add additional details. My 2016 BMW 320 XI is experiencing an issue with the Turbo Oil Feed Line. This is a known issue, reported under SI B11 11 16 on the NHTSA.gov website. i have been told that my specific vehicle / VIN is not included as part of this coverage under the Extended Warranty. However, since my car, N20 Engine is experiencing this specific issue, i am requesting my car be considered to be effected and that it should be included in this extended warranty. i have attached a copy of the Diagnostic / Inspection of my vehicle, dated…
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after the vehicle had not been driven for a while, there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine oil feed line to the turbocharger was leaking. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to BMW Warranty Extension: SI B11 11 16; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact found information regarding Technical Service Bulletin: SIB 11116 (Engine and Engine Cooling released in July 2017). The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer linked the failure to the Technical Service Bulletin; however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
- Structure › Body
While replacing the battery, the battery well was rusty. If allowed to continue I have no doubt the very heavy battery will fall through to the ground causing an accident and very hazardous materials will spill on the roadway (acids and lead from a ruptured battery).
- Structure › Body
Yes
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…