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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Bmw 320I problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

25 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

57,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior728.0%
Steering behavior28.0%
Electrical and battery issues14.0%
Fuel system concerns14.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
7
Service Brakes
7
Air Bags
5
Structure:Body
5
Power Train
3
Electrical System
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine7
Service Brakes7
Air Bags5
Structure:Body5
Power Train3
Electrical System2
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Fuel/Propulsion System2

Engine: 7; Service Brakes: 7; Air Bags: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Power Train: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
1
2017
2
2018
1
2019
3
2020
2
2022
4
2023
5
2024
1
2025
5
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20161
20172
20181
20193
20202
20224
20235
20241
20255
20261

2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 5; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10930071 · 2016-12-05 (December 5, 2016)

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 ON. I HIT THE CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE AND DAMAGE TO MY CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,243 miles reported. Look up ODI 10930071 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11046601 · 2017-11-16 (November 16, 2017)

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 WERE RECENTLY REPLACED BY BMW BUT THEY DO NOT STOP PROPERLY AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH. ALSO THE SUNROOF OPENS INDEPENDENTLY WHEN IT RAINS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT.

Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11046601 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11277528 · 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)

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 DEGREE BURNS TO MY ARM, STOMACH AND THIGH.

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277528 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11318561 · 2020-03-18 (March 18, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW 320I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE WENT UP ON THE SIDE WALK AND THE CONTACT QUICKLY ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OFF LEASE ONLY LOCATED AT (5580 NW 145TH ST, MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33054), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPL…

Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318561 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11621820 · 2024-10-24 (October 24, 2024)

While replacing the battery, the battery well was rusty. If allowed to continue I have no doubt the very heavy battery will fall through to the ground causing an accident and very hazardous materials will spill on the roadway (acids and lead from a ruptured battery).

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621820 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11525692 · 2023-06-06 (June 6, 2023)

BMW released a SIB 01 03 22 Plastic Fuel Tank (B58/N20/N55/S55) Ltd Emission Wty Ext To 15 Yrs/150,000 Miles. I have a plastic fuel tank with this problem but the range for the warranty is for models F30 2013 to 2016 320i and xDrive Sedan that are produced between July 02, 2012 to April 30, 2016 . My vehicle was produced on May 2016 but has the same plastic fuel tank. Upon calling BMW north america they said they said they can not make exceptions and there is no escalation path. My point is if the same plastic fuel tank is used for the veh…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525692 at NHTSA ↗