2016 BMW 328I Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 BMW 328i most often describe a water pump electrical connector recall where the repair part was not yet available, and the recall complaints were filed in 2024 and 2025. Other reports describe engine smoke, overheating, or fire, sudden stalling or power loss, and cars that lunge forward or accelerate while the brake is pressed. Mileage is rarely recorded, and where it is, reports range from about 8,400 to 180,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Recall repair parts not yet available

   • 14 complaints (25%)
   • median 124,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe receiving a recall notice for an improperly sealed water pump electrical connector, then being told the repair part was not yet available. Some say the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair, and some say the dealer confirmed the parts were unavailable. Some quote the manufacturer's description of a short circuit and engine fire risk, and others say the recall has been open for months with no timeline. Many say they had not experienced a failure yet. Mileage is rarely recorded in these complaints, and where it is, it is about 115,000 to 133,000 miles.

   Recall 24V608000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the water pump connector recall (24V608000) now has a remedy for this vehicle identification number, and ask for the answer in writing. Owners describe waiting months for parts, so check the recall status before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon driving and coming to a stop, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle, and there was smoke coming front the A/C vents. The contact stated that a passenger who was occupying the front passenger's side seat and became aware of the abnormal burning odor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11660445, filed 2025-05, 115,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started decelerating unintendedly, with the message “Engine Hot – Stop Driving” was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the highway and waited for an hour for the engine to cool down, before restarting the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11624799, filed 2024-11, 133,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine smoke, overheating, or fire

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2025

   Owners describe smoke from the engine area or tailpipe, a coolant or burning odor, and an Engine Hot warning while driving. Some describe smoke on startup and a fire after the car was parked or stopped, and a complaint says the overheating began the night before the fire. According to complaints, a dealer said there were no recalls, a mechanic replaced an oil feed line, and an owner says the manufacturer changed a part for this problem but charges owners for the updated part. Where mileage is recorded, reports range from about 75,000 to 180,000 miles, and some describe the smoke at startup or after parking.

   Recall 24V6080002 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, check the coolant level and look for leaks, a burnt smell, or a temperature warning, and ask the dealer whether the water pump connector recall is complete. Ask whether a service bulletin for a coolant vent line coupling that could break and cause coolant loss has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car is smoking when starting upon looking up this is a common issue with my 2016 bmw 328i m sport. From what I have been reading bmw knows of the issue and made a change to the part but are making customers come out of pocket to buy the updated part and pay for the repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #11441775, filed 2021-11

   “Vehicle Information: •Year, Make, Model: 2016 BMW 328i GT •VIN: Provide VIN •Mileage: Insert Mileage Description of the Problem: I am experiencing recurring drivetrain malfunctions and overheating issues with my 2016 BMW 328i GT, which is currently under a nationwide recall issued in August 2024. Despite having coolant in the system, the vehicle overheats and displays a “drivetrain malfunction” warning, forcing me to pull off the road and restart the car to temporarily clear the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11652992, filed 2025-04
3. 3
   Engine

   Sudden stalling, power loss, or shifting out of gear

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 21,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or losing power while driving, including at a stop light or on a highway. Other complaints describe the car shifting into Neutral or Park by itself with a drivetrain malfunction message, and the car stopping while driving. A complaint says the owner paid for a fuel pressure part at a shop, and that the same problem happened again while out of town. Where mileage is recorded, reports range from about 8,400 to 38,750 miles, and some complaints mention a battery replacement during diagnosis.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to read stored engine and drivetrain fault codes, and check the battery condition since some complaints mention a battery replacement. On a test drive, check for smooth shifting from a stop and steady power on acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving home today 11/16/2016 - I was in a residential area with the speed limit of 25 and the power cut out on the car. I was able to safely pull over and restart the vehicle to get home. I called Bmw roadside and had the vehicle towed to the dealership”

   NHTSA complaint #10926557, filed 2016-11, 8,400 miles

   “When I drive and come to a stop, the car shifts into nuetral. This has happened several times. I have to put the car in Park and restart it. We have checked the codes and have replaced the battery. The car only has 51k miles on it and is not driven more than 2-4 days a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #11485534, filed 2022-09
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Car lunges forward or accelerates while braking

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 21,500 mi at 3.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2021

   Owners describe the engine revving or the car lurching forward while the brake pedal was pressed, including at stop lights and while parking. Some say the brake did not hold the car, and a complaint says the car kept moving at about 30 mph after the brake was applied, with the dealer having earlier repaired the brake. In complaints that describe crashes, the car hit a vehicle ahead or a concrete barrier. Reported between about 13,000 and 78,000 miles, most often at stop lights or while parking at low speed.

   What to check: On a test drive, check whether the engine revs or the car moves forward when the brake is held at a stop. Ask the dealer to check for stored throttle or brake fault codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine revved uncontrollably without my foot on the gas pedal, I was forced to shut the engine off. The car behaved normally once the engine was restarted: I was turning left into a parking space in a parking lot at a very slow speed. My foot was off the gas pedal as I was braking and coming to a stop. Suddenly (with foot still on the brake and not the gas pedal) the engine revved to a high RPM which lurched the car forward a bit. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11291436, filed 2019-12, 46,000 miles

   “On march 22, 2021, I was parking my 2016 Bmw gran turismo 328x at a parking garage. Ii had completed the initial turn-in, when the car felt like the accelerator had been pushed to the floor. The car went from approximately 5 miles an hour to about 20 MPH in the length of a parking spot. The car hit the concrete barrier head on, with the side curtain, steering wheel and leg air bags deploying. The car was fully maintained and serviced by the Bmw dealer with brand new tires. It had about 78k miles on it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11405636, filed 2021-03, 78,000 miles

Buying note. A buyer considering a 2016 BMW 328i may want to check whether the water pump connector recall has been completed or has a remedy for the specific vehicle, since many complaints describe waiting for parts. A test drive focused on steady engine power, smooth shifting from a stop, and brake response can help show whether the other themes apply to a particular car.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.