2016 Bmw 320I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Bmw 320I has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: to nhtsa: not too long ago the timing chain and rear differential pinion bearing went out on my 2016 bmw 320i ([xxx]) timing chain issue shouldn't occur on a motor which only produces 180 horsepower with no mods or tunes. the rear differential should definitely never give out unless you're. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 8 crash reports 7 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

10 complaints

25%

• TO NHTSA: NOT TOO LONG AGO THE TIMING CHAIN AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BEARING WENT OUT ON MY 2016 BMW 320I ([XXX]) TIMING CHAIN ISSUE SHOULDN'T OCCUR ON A MOTOR WHICH ONLY PRODUCES 180 HORSEPOWER WITH NO MODS OR TUNES. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD DEFINITELY NEVER GIVE OUT UNLESS YOU'RE
• I have smoke that comes from my exhaust pipe only whenever I first start my vehicle at the beginning of the day. I had a diagnosis done on my vehicle and was advised that my oil feed line was faulty. This is a known design flaw with BMW vehicles from years 2013 through 2016. I would like for BMW to
• When starting a cold engine, a “plume of blue smoke” can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. There is no engine malfunction light illuminated (no” turbocharger boost faults are stored) and no drivability issues are detected.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“TO NHTSA: NOT TOO LONG AGO THE TIMING CHAIN AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BEARING WENT OUT ON MY 2016 BMW 320I ([XXX]) TIMING CHAIN ISSUE SHOULDN'T OCCUR ON A MOTOR WHICH ONLY PRODUCES 180 HORSEPOWER WITH NO MODS OR TUNES. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD DEFINITELY NEVER GIVE OUT UNLESS YOU'RE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

7 complaints

18%

• I WAS DRIVING IN A 25 MPH ZONE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, DRY ROADS DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR HEAD O
• CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND INDICATOR WARNING COMES ON SAYING 'DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION' THE GAGE INDICATES THERE IS AT LEAST 42 MILES OF FUEL BEFORE EMPTY. LUCKILY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND BEFORE PUTTING ITSELF IN NEUTRAL. ALSO THE BRAKES WER
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 (NA) BMW 320I. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT THROUGH SOME SHRUBS AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE LAWN OF A BANK. THERE WER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING IN A 25 MPH ZONE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, DRY ROADS DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR HEAD O”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

13%

• I WAS DRIVING IN A 25 MPH ZONE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, DRY ROADS DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR HEAD O
• TAKATA RECALL - A SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND/OR ITS TAKATA AIRBAG SYSTEM. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY ATTEMPTING TO TAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN SHE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. AFTER IMPACT, HER VEHICL
• I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A HIT AND RUN VEHICLE AND RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT, MY STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF IN THE PROCESS HITTING ME IN MY PELVIC AREA AND NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE URINATING AND I HAVE BLEEDING. THE AIR BAGS ALSO BURNED THROUGH MY CLOTHES AND ONTO MY SKIN. I SUFFERED FIRST DEG

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

5 complaints

13%

• WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 40 MPH, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT OR A LOUD POP OVERHEAD. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND THE SUNROOF HAD A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE GLASS WAS BOWING UPWARDS. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PASSING ME AT THE TIME AND I DID NOT SEE ANY PROJECTIL
• TAKATA RECALL - A SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND/OR ITS TAKATA AIRBAG SYSTEM. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY ATTEMPTING TO TAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN SHE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. AFTER IMPACT, HER VEHICL
• I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN A 2016 BMW 320I WITH FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT. IT WAS SO BAD, IT PUSHED BACK MY ENTIRE AXLE, WHEELS, ETC. MY DRIVER SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING 40 MILES PER HOUR WHEN HIT BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHO WAS TRAVELING DOWNHILL A

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 40 MPH, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT OR A LOUD POP OVERHEAD. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND THE SUNROOF HAD A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE GLASS WAS BOWING UPWARDS. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PASSING ME AT THE TIME AND I DID NOT SEE ANY PROJECTIL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

• CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND INDICATOR WARNING COMES ON SAYING 'DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION' THE GAGE INDICATES THERE IS AT LEAST 42 MILES OF FUEL BEFORE EMPTY. LUCKILY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND BEFORE PUTTING ITSELF IN NEUTRAL. ALSO THE BRAKES WER
• TO NHTSA: NOT TOO LONG AGO THE TIMING CHAIN AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BEARING WENT OUT ON MY 2016 BMW 320I ([XXX]) TIMING CHAIN ISSUE SHOULDN'T OCCUR ON A MOTOR WHICH ONLY PRODUCES 180 HORSEPOWER WITH NO MODS OR TUNES. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD DEFINITELY NEVER GIVE OUT UNLESS YOU'RE
• The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that the Drive Train Failure, Check Engine, and Engine Overheating warning lights were illuminated. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and fluid was leaking underneath the vehicle near the muffler and under the driver's side seat. The

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND INDICATOR WARNING COMES ON SAYING 'DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION' THE GAGE INDICATES THERE IS AT LEAST 42 MILES OF FUEL BEFORE EMPTY. LUCKILY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND BEFORE PUTTING ITSELF IN NEUTRAL. ALSO THE BRAKES WER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TO NHTSA: NOT TOO LONG AGO THE TIMING CHAIN AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BEARING WENT OUT ON MY 2016 BMW 320I ([XXX]) TIMING CHAIN ISSUE SHOULDN'T OCCUR ON A MOTOR WHICH ONLY PRODUCES 180 HORSEPOWER WITH NO MODS OR TUNES. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD DEFINITELY NEVER GIVE OUT UNLESS YOU'RE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I WAS DRIVING IN A 25 MPH ZONE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, DRY ROADS DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR HEAD O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS DRIVING IN A 25 MPH ZONE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, DRY ROADS DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR HEAD O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 40 MPH, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT OR A LOUD POP OVERHEAD. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND THE SUNROOF HAD A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE GLASS WAS BOWING UPWARDS. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PASSING ME AT THE TIME AND I DID NOT SEE ANY PROJECTIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)