2016 BMW M3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 20%of 5 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,234miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 BMW M3, 20% of the 5 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,234 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 milesRelated recalls
- 18V713000Oct 11, 2018BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The…Covers: BMW M3 2016–2017, M4 2016–2017
- 15V782000Nov 23, 2015BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe…Covers: BMW M3 2015–2016, M4 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 10203335Sep 1, 2021A turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first 300 miles of operationwhen braking from low speed.
- 10153753Jan 1, 2019KNOCKING NOISE OR VIBRATION/DRONING NOISE FROM THE REAR AXLE. A hard knocking noise is heard from the rear axle area during load reversals. The tuning of the rear suspension…
- 10145329Jul 1, 2018CRACKING NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE TURNING OR PARKING: Cracking noises heard from the area of the front axle when rotating the steering while stationary or at low speed.
- 10135032Feb 1, 2018TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away…
- 10142929Jan 1, 2018CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds…
- 10146822Sep 1, 2016"SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE REAR-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 33 04 16 dated August 2016 The vehicle delivery stop has been lifted.. The rear…
- 10147048Aug 1, 2016The delivery stop has been lifted for certain affected M vehicles produced from May 12, 2016 through July 4, 2016. While the delivery stop has been lifted, customers must sign a…
- 10147047Aug 1, 2016The delivery stop has been lifted for certain affected M vehicles produced from May 12, 2016 through July 4, 2016. While the delivery stop has been lifted, customers must sign a…
- 10147013Aug 1, 2016"SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE REAR-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 33 04 16 dated August 2016 The vehicle delivery stop has been lifted.. The rear…
- 10147200Jul 1, 2015Ticking Noise from Front Axle When Cornering. The customer may complain of a ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away from a parking…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 3 | 23% |
| 2011 | 4 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 53% |
| 2008 | 37 | 45% |
| 2006 | 2 | 14% |
| 2005 | 2 | 17% |
| 2004 | 6 | 19% |
| 2003 | 14 | 26% |
| 2002 | 8 | 20% |
| 2001 | 4 | 29% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 21% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2016 BMW M3
← All problems reported for the 2016 BMW M3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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