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Electrical systemPart report

2016 BMW 328I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
37%of 57 total for the year
Median mileage
115,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 BMW 328I, 37% of the 57 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“This vehicle suddenly shut off in the middle of the intersection. The entire car shut off and would not start again. You could not put the car in neutral either to get it off the road. The car would not move. This vehicle was on a 6 lane road starting to go from the intersection. I know this has happened to another person with an x3 as well. Bmw is claiming this doesn't happen. I was driving a ralph schomp Bmw loaner at the time because my 2017 x3 was in the shop. I have the other person's information should you need it. This is a huge safety issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10910122, filed 2016-09, 11,000 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

“Drive train malfunction. Throws itself in to neutral while driving. Lost the power to accelerate so had to coast to the shoulder.. Turned the car off and restarted it. Took to automotive shop via extended warranty suggested and I paid to have the pressure fuel piece. This same piece, apparently has a recall on the 2015 but not my year. Very upset. While out of town the same thing happened again. With a passenger. Very scary my car lost power and almost caused an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #11546518, filed 2023-09

“The central locking system frequently goes out and I'd have to replace the three doors actuators that don't work consistently. many times I'm locked in the car with the only way of getting out is by lowering the window and climbing out. according to my service advisor at BMW, this is a known problem with different models of BMW in this time frame. I really wish it would be considered a recall so at least myself and my family will feel safe and know that I can escape the car if necessary.”

NHTSA complaint #11517043, filed 2023-04

“I was at a red light while driving my car.When I stepped on the gas once the light turned green the car stalled and started jerking i immediately smelled smoked and seen smoke coming through the cabin..lt made a strange sound from the engine The service engine light came on and said reduced engine power/ drive train malfunction get service immediately.I was able to coast the car to a curb luckily in front of a car shop as soon as i can get out of the car a worker from the shop ran outside yelling your car is on fire! …”

NHTSA complaint #11455943, filed 2022-03

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20162137%
20155645%
20145234%
20136124%
20122318%
201113022%
20103825%
20096132%
20088536%
200712932%
200054%
199977%
1998519%
1997728%
1996413%

Other parts of the 2016 BMW 328I

Engine
15 complaints
Other or unknown
14 complaints
Engine cooling
13 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 BMW 328I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology