2016 BMW 328xi recalls & problems

The 2016 BMW 328xi has 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles

NHTSA recall 24V608000 · Aug 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Components: Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles; Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Pump

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.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Unknown or other	2	—
Service brakes	1	—
Power train	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Oct 12, 2018 · 27,000 milesUnknown or other
10/12/18 APPROX. 12:30PM, ABOUT 80 DEGREES, DRIVING ON TEXAS FREEWAY, 65MPH, LOUD POW, FRONT SUNROOF EXPLODED. GLASS SHATTERED OUTWARD, EXPOSING LONG OPENING IN FRONT OF SUNROOF.
Aug 16, 2018 · 23,000 milesUnknown or other
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON THE 5 WHEN BOOM OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED SHATTERING GLASS EVERYWHERE. WE WERE IN COMPLETE SHOCK AS NOTHING HIT THE CAR OR ANY DEBRIS OR ROCKS. WE CALLED OUR LOCAL BMW IMMEDIATELY AND WE GOT TRANSFERRED OVER TO OUR STANDARD SERVICE TECH THAT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH US THIS MORNING. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT A ROCK MUST HIT IT AND WEAKENED THE GLASS AND THE PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING WITH WEAKENED GLASS CAN CAUSE IT TO SHATTER. I LET THEM KNOW THAT I RESEARCHED "EXPLODING SUNROOFS" AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENCY AND THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS TO DO WITH EITHER THE MANUFACTURING QUALIFY OR DEFECT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT BMW THINKS…
Sep 18, 2016 · 15,000 milesPower train
INCIDENT DATE: 9/18 LOCATION: NEW YORK STATE VEHICLE MILEAGE: 15,000 VEHICLE ACTION: ENTERING & ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY DESCRIPTION: AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5HRS OF DRIVING, ON THE WAY HOME FROM A WEDDING IN RURAL NEW YORK, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SIGNIFICANT ENGINE VIBRATION AND A WARNING MESSAGE WHICH DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AND ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND MAKE A SAFE EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE LIGHT, OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OR…
Mar 16, 2016 · 1,200 milesService brakes
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS IN MOTION, A NEW 2016 BMW 328 GT, THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED, CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED, EMERGENCY BRAKE PULLED WITH FULL PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL, CAR EVENTUALLY SLOWED AND STOPPED BEFORE STRIKING OTHER VEHICLES IN ITS PATH. CAR RETURNED TO BMW AND BMW STATED THAT BRAKES NOW WORK. BMW REFUSED TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSESSMENT OR SERVICE DESPITE BEING AWARE OF RECENT PRIOR VEHICLES FOR BMW BRAKE FAILURE.

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

EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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…