vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Bmw M235I problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

18,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior225.0%
Electrical and battery issues225.0%
Transmission and shifting112.5%
Fuel system concerns112.5%

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.

Electrical System
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Power Train
1
Seat Belts
1
Service Brakes
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Visibility/Wiper
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System2
Exterior Lighting2
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Power Train1
Seat Belts1
Service Brakes1
Unknown Or Other1
Visibility/Wiper1

Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1

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
2
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 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
2
2019
1
2020
1
2021
3
2022
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20162
20191
20201
20213
20221

2016: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 11429433 · 2021-08-17 (August 17, 2021)

Rear brake light failure due to faulty wiring. Identical to the details located in this article (https://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/bmw-recalling-241-000-3-series-models-over-faulty-tail-lights/) for which the NHTSA had issued a recall for older BMW models in the past. This issue is common and wide-spread amongst bmw models produced between 2014 - mid 2016. After which BMW modified the wiring harness for the brake lights to fix the electrical shorting failures. This failure renders the entire housing inoperable - Brake light, turn signal and r…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429433 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11438512 · 2021-10-28 (October 28, 2021)

BMW 2 series cars from about 2015-2018 have faulty wiring and brake light assemblies. BMW has admitted this design flaw in the harness and light - they extended the warranty for one year. As you know, brake light failures represent a real risk. It is unreasonable for BMW to charge $900 per light to fix a safety issue caused by a design flaw that they have admitted. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED, ALSO.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438512 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11448099 · 2022-01-19 (January 19, 2022)

Our M235I has a transmission leak "thru the wall of the case" (i.e. THROUGH THE METAL CASE) as determined by a local BMW Dealer. They are not able to provide any Technical Service Bulletins or etc. from BMW for this "leaky case" issue. But they are saying this is a KNOWN problem with the transmission cases. They are advising a new transmission for $10K. Only alternative is to install used transmission and take old electronic valve module out of existing trans and place into used transmission and hope for the best. Loss of transmission fluid cou…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448099 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11374618 · 2020-11-13 (November 13, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW M235I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGED FUEL TANK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. *LN *AS

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374618 at NHTSA ↗