2016 BMW 3 Series
Plug-in hybrid Gas Diesel Compact car
The 2016 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, gas and diesel compact car with 17 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 328d, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 100 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330e | Plug-in hybrid | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 65kW | 28 | 36 | 31 (38 MPGe blended) | 14 mi electric | 47 | 2 h | $2,500 |
| 320i | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 35 | 28 | — | — | — | $2,750 |
| 320i | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 35 | 27 | — | — | — | $2,850 |
| 320i xDrive | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 34 | 27 | — | — | — | $2,850 |
| 328i | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 35 | 27 | — | — | — | $2,850 |
| 328i | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | — | $3,000 |
| 328i xDrive | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | — | $3,000 |
| 328i xDrive Gran Turismo | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | — | $3,000 |
| 328i xDrive Sports Wagon | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | — | $3,000 |
| 340i | Gas | RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 | 32 | 25 | — | — | — | $3,100 |
| 340i xDrive | Gas | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 | 32 | 25 | — | — | — | $3,100 |
| 335i xDrive Gran Turismo | Gas | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 20 | 30 | 23 | — | — | — | $3,350 |
| 340i | Gas | RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 20 | 29 | 23 | — | — | — | $3,350 |
| 340i xDrive | Gas | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | — | $3,350 |
| 328d | Diesel | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 | 42 | 35 | — | — | — | $2,550 |
| 328d xDrive | Diesel | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 | 40 | 34 | — | — | — | $2,650 |
| 328d xDrive Sports Wagon | Diesel | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 | 40 | 34 | — | — | — | $2,650 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2016 BMW 3 Series is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (6)
Electrical System
criticalProblem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 530e xDrive, 2017-2019 740Le xDrive, 2018-2020 530e iPerformance, 2016-2018 330e iPerformance vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 3, 2026. Another letter will be mailed after the remedy is confirmed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026.
Engine And Engine Cooling
criticalProblem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel System, Diesel
criticalProblem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer
Fuel System, Diesel
highProblem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train
highProblem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2016 328d xDrive sedans and 2013-2015 328d xDrive station wagon vehicles. The constant-velocity joint which transfers power between the transfer case and the rear drive shaft, may become damaged, possibly resulting in loss of power to the rear wheels.
Risk: A loss of power to the rear wheels can affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the vehicle is parked after a loss of power to the rear wheels and the parking brake is not engaged, unintended rollaway can occur, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the constant-velocity joint and inspect the transfer case, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 22, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling
criticalProblem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump — High pressure fuel pump failure (open)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed rec
Opened Mar 17, 2023 · action EA23001
Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds (closed)
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (open)
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002
Owner complaints
100 complaints filed
13 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2016: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 10 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 3
Most-cited components
- Engine — 28
- Electrical System — 24
- Service Brakes — 18
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 16
- Unknown Or Other — 15
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 5 HB AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Compare the 2016 3 Series with
Other 3 Series model years
2026 3 Series
0 recalls · 0 complaints
B2025 3 Series
1 recalls · 4 complaints
D2024 3 Series
3 recalls · 8 complaints
F2023 3 Series
5 recalls · 10 complaints
D2022 3 Series
3 recalls · 14 complaints
F2021 3 Series
9 recalls · 33 complaints
F2020 3 Series
11 recalls · 52 complaints
F2019 3 Series
9 recalls · 41 complaints
F2018 3 Series
7 recalls · 72 complaints
F2017 3 Series
4 recalls · 77 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 37289, 36723, 36651, 36652, 36792, 36649, 36650, 36685, 36689, 36888, 36845, 36751). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.