BMW 320I · model year

2016 BMW 320I

38 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016BMW320I carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 320I is service brakes with 7 filings, followed by engine (7) and air bags (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2016 320I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

38
Complaints
10
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

38 filings

Crashes Reported

10 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES7
ENGINE7
AIR BAGS5
STRUCTURE:BODY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
SEAT BELTS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STEERING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SEATS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER1

Recent Complaints

20251016FireENGINE

The contact owned a 2016 BMW 320i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated that while walking into the house that she noticed the fuel odor. The contact stated that after entering the residence, the contact walked back out and noticed the vehicle was on fire. The contact noticed the fire coming from the engine hood. The fire department was called. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle and the items in the vehicle were consumed in the fire. The contact stated that the garage, which was attached to the contact's residence, and the items in the garage were consumed in the fire. In addition, the contact stated that the contact's residence was filtered with smoke. The contact stated that, because of the smoke in the contact's residence, the contact was residing in a local hotel. The fire department and the investigator mentioned that the origin of the fire was the engine. The vehicle was towed t

Mileage: 160,000

20250826FireENGINE

The contact owned a 2016 BMW 320i. The contact stated that after driving approximately 28 miles, arriving at her residence to park the vehicle in the garage, and noticed a burning odor. Upon inspection, a fire was coming from underneath the hood. The contact, lacking a fire extinguisher, attempted to use flour to extinguish the fire. However, upon returning, the fire was larger and made a loud noise as it expanded, before quickly reducing in size. The contact called the fire department and began removing items from the vehicle. The contact retreated to a safe distance from the garage where the vehicle was parked and awaited the fire department's arrival. The Fire Department arrived, and the fire had expanded to the garage, and the fire was extinguished. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed and declared a total loss. A fire inspection determined that the origin of the fire was the engine. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure

Mileage: 95,000

20250430ENGINE

i have previously reported this issue, confirmation #11656013. However, after diagnostic with a Certified BMW Service Center, i wish to follow up and add additional details. My 2016 BMW 320 XI is experiencing an issue with the Turbo Oil Feed Line. This is a known issue, reported under SI B11 11 16 on the NHTSA.gov website. i have been told that my specific vehicle / VIN is not included as part of this coverage under the Extended Warranty. However, since my car, N20 Engine is experiencing this specific issue, i am requesting my car be considered to be effected and that it should be included in this extended warranty. i have attached a copy of the Diagnostic / Inspection of my vehicle, dated 4/29/2025

20250422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after the vehicle had not been driven for a while, there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine oil feed line to the turbocharger was leaking. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to BMW Warranty Extension: SI B11 11 16; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20250317ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact found information regarding Technical Service Bulletin: SIB 11116 (Engine and Engine Cooling released in July 2017). The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer linked the failure to the Technical Service Bulletin; however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Mileage: 119,000

20241024STRUCTURE:BODY

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).

20230618STRUCTURE:BODY

Yes

20230618ENGINE

Yes

20230618AIR BAGS

Yes

20230606FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 vehicles with in the warranty date range, why isn't my car covered? It is reasonable for BMW to add my VIN to the exception list.

20230525SERVICE BRAKES

The front brakes are locked up and I went to the dealer and they are asking $7000 to replace the dsc module. It was also braking while I was driving on the highway and I got scared and pulled over and checked everything looked okay but i didn’t know what happened. I am glad nobody was behind me when the car (bmw)brakes it self while it was running. I hope you do a further investigation and see what is happening to the bmw brakes. It only had 52139 miles when I send it to bmw of Dallas and they took 3 days to find the problem and told me I need to pay $7000 to replace the dsc module (abs module) I can’t afford to pay that kind of money what do I do

20230525ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The front brakes are locked up and I went to the dealer and they are asking $7000 to replace the dsc module. It was also braking while I was driving on the highway and I got scared and pulled over and checked everything looked okay but i didn’t know what happened. I am glad nobody was behind me when the car (bmw)brakes it self while it was running. I hope you do a further investigation and see what is happening to the bmw brakes. It only had 52139 miles when I send it to bmw of Dallas and they took 3 days to find the problem and told me I need to pay $7000 to replace the dsc module (abs module) I can’t afford to pay that kind of money what do I do

20230522SERVICE BRAKES

while driving on the high way while raining the car is braking it self to slow down. and release after it slow down to 40 mph or lower. I also notice my front brake is garbing the brake while driving and it does not release the brake when you release the brake pedal

20230503EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My right turn signal suddenly stopped working. The BMW dealership diagnosed the problem as the fem module failure.

20221118ENGINE

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.

20221112SEATS

I have referred to the owner's manual of my vehicle and it does not show me nor indicate how to get access to the trunk from the inside of the vehicle in an emergency situation. I've looked for a seat release latch handle and there is not one. I've researched and contacted BMW experts and they state normally it should have one, other times it may not... I've pulled the middle seat armrest down to expose the plastic access hatch and when I pulled it out of the way, it exposed a metal frame that was in the way and appeared it was part of the backseat metal frame. I've felt around, looked and mentioned this to experts, and they could not explain anything of the sorts other than "normally it should have one, other times it may not...". Ultimately, I find this extremely hazardous, because it is very misleading in the manual to offer a trunk cable release handle (in the trunk) but not a single way to get access to the trunk from the inside of the vehicle if an emergency/accident happene

20220912ENGINE

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 repair the flaw on my vehicle since this is a known manufacturer issue which is something out of my control. Please contact me by email or cellular phone @ [XXX] or [XXX]. Thank you INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20220912FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 repair the flaw on my vehicle since this is a known manufacturer issue which is something out of my control. Please contact me by email or cellular phone @ [XXX] or [XXX]. Thank you INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20220127SERVICE BRAKES

Vibration in the brakes heavily at higher speeds when gradually pressing brakes shakes. When pressed harder during shaking goes away with the breaking. Brand new brakes brand new rotors alignment yet the vehicle is still having this issue I’m hoping that the vibration doesn’t cause any electronics or braking mechanism not to properly work to me this is a safety concern a safety issue and I’m seeing it pop up a lot I watch video reviews on magazines pros and cons of this vehicle the one thing stayed it was a vibration in the brakes that the reviewer could not answer and he says it wasn’t a problem but it has to be a Manufacturing issue. I hope this helps anybody else Only the manufacture can answer this question

20200515CrashAIR BAGS

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 AT OR ABOVE THE SAME SPEED. SOS BUTTON DID NOT WORK EITHER. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET (INTERSECTION). THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAD TWO MINORS IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MY DASH, ETC. SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT FAULTY AIRBAGS, ETC. COLLISION EXPERT CONFIRMED SENSORS DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE MADE FRONT AND SIDE, CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOY. THEY EVEN ANOTHER VEHICLE (SAME MAKE AND YEAR) IN THEIR LOT WITH SAME IMPACT LOCATIONS- THOUGH NOT AS SIGNIFICANT/SERIOUS- SHOWING ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

Compare 2016BMW320I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 BMW 320I have?
The 2016 BMW 320I has 38 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW 320I?
The most-complained component for the 2016 BMW 320I is SERVICE BRAKES with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2016 BMW 320I safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.