2016 BMW M3
The 2016 BMW M3 appears in 3 NHTSA recall campaigns (power train and structure) and in 1 consumer complaint filed with the agency.
The component named most often is unknown or other: 1,000 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 120.5 per 1,000 across all 2016 model-year vehicles and against 19 per 1,000 for the BMW M3 line as a whole.
That is fewer than the average of 11.6 complaints per model year across the 33 BMW M3 model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2018 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 5 Jun 2018.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: BMW 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 connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
Consequence: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
Defect, as filed: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
Consequence: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
Defect, as filed: BMW 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 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
Consequence: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2016 BMW M3 (black) against all 2016 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2016 | M3 line | All 2016 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 1,000 | 19 | 120.5 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1,000 | 19 | 120.5 |
1 unique complaints, 1 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other BMW M3 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 NHTSA | 1 | 2 | 375,000 |
| 1989 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1990 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1991 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1992 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1993 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1994 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1995 | 4 | 11 | 987,000 |
| 1996 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 410,000 |
| 1997 | 2 | 19 | 426,749 |
| 1998 NHTSA | 1 | 14 | 16,749 |
| 1999 NHTSA | 1 | 11 | 16,749 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | 523,065 |
| 2001 | 4 | 14 | 1,099,510 |
| 2002 | 5 | 36 | 1,559,511 |
| 2003 | 5 | 49 | 1,342,494 |
| 2004 | 3 | 29 | 1,286,190 |
| 2005 | 3 | 12 | 1,286,190 |
| 2006 | 5 | 13 | 2,049,120 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 1,602,930 |
| 2008 | 5 | 77 | 1,622,071 |
| 2009 | 5 | 43 | 1,622,071 |
| 2010 | 4 | 14 | 1,619,571 |
| 2011 | 4 | 22 | 1,619,571 |
| 2012 | 3 | 5 | 916,606 |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 | 899,965 |
| 2014 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 5,761 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 5,999 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 2,899 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 2,857 |
| 2018 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 22,442 |
| 2023 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 120 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All BMW M3 model years · BMW: 250 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2016 BMW M3 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 18V713000, was reported to NHTSA on 11 Oct 2018 and concerns power train:driveline:driveshaft. Across all model years the BMW M3 line has 26 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2016 BMW M3?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2016 BMW M3 complain about most?
Unknown or Other: 1 of 1 component mentions (1,000 per 1,000). Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.