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BMW M3Model year report

2016 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
20,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2016 BMW M3. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by other or unknown (1) and body and structure (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 190 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine: “The crankhub on these cars are ticking time bombs and is likely to fail just outside of warranty forcing huge repair bills. In some cases, a lucky few just need to be retimed and only require 18 hours of labor. However, others have not been so lucky and have required an all-new engine. This is an issue Bmw is fully aware of but has not taken responsbility for their insufficient engineering.”

NHTSA complaint #11289880, filed 2019-12, 28,000 miles

Other or unknown: “I've taken my vehicle in to the service dealer multiple times since I've purchased the car back in nov. 2016. I noticed a clunking and jolting sensation from my rear axle which I knew was not normal. The dealer after diagnosing the issue told me it is normal and there isn't an issue at all. Upon further research online and personal frustration knowing I'm paying for a new car which doesn't feel new at all, I found the attached recall notice. …”

NHTSA complaint #11099977, filed 2018-06, 3,000 miles

Body and structure: “Keep hearing a knocking sound on driver side when going over bumps. Feeling vibration under car under accelerating and breaking. Carbon fiber roof laminate peeling off.”

NHTSA complaint #11232137, filed 2019-07, 48,234 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 28,000 miles.

20%0–1040%10–2540%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 20,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201820194
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual172620$4,100
M3 RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic172419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 BMW M3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 190 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 190 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2016 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 1.

Has the 2016 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 BMW M3 (M3, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 28,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.