Car · BMW recalls
2016 BMW 3 Series recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW 3 Series, filed between November 23, 2015 and August 14, 2024. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.
Check my VINCheck repair status at NHTSA
| Part | Filed | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling: pump | August 14, 2024 | Fire risk |
| Fuel system, diesel | November 19, 2021 | Fire risk |
| Fuel system, diesel: fuel pump | July 29, 2021 | Stall risk |
| Power train: constant velocity joint | March 26, 2020 | Stall risk |
| Engine and engine cooling: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve) | October 25, 2018 | Fire risk |
| Power train: driveshaft | October 11, 2018 | Crash risk |
| Structure: frame and members | September 9, 2016 | Crash risk |
| Power train: driveshaft | November 23, 2015 | Stall risk |
Engine and engine cooling: pumpFire risk
Trims named in this campaign: 328i, 328xi
What is wrong. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
What could happen. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
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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.
Fuel system, dieselFire risk
Trims named in this campaign: 328d
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
The 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. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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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.
Fuel system, diesel: fuel pumpStall risk
Trims named in this campaign: 328d
What is wrong. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
What could happen. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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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.
Power train: constant velocity jointStall risk
Trims named in this campaign: 328d
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. 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.
The 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.
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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.
Engine and engine cooling: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)Fire risk
Trims named in this campaign: 328d
What is wrong. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot.
What could happen. The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
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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.
Power train: driveshaftCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: M3
What is wrong. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
What could happen. A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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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.
Structure: frame and membersCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: M3
What is wrong. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced.
What could happen. Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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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.
Power train: driveshaftStall risk
Trims named in this campaign: M3
What is wrong. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease.
What could happen. 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.
The fix. 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.
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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.
Check that your car is on the list
Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2016 BMW 3 Series may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN at NHTSA to see whether a campaign is open for your exact car.
How to confirm the repair is free
- Call any authorized BMW dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
- Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
- If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
- Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.
If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, BMW may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or BMW customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.
Other model years of the 3 Series
- 2025 (1)
- 2024 (2)
- 2023 (4)
- 2022 (3)
- 2021 (10)
- 2020 (14)
- 2019 (8)
- 2018 (6)
- 2017 (5)
- 2015 (10)
- 2014 (12)
- 2013 (9)
- 2012 (11)
- 2011 (13)
- 2010 (11)
- All years
More: all BMW recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.
2016 BMW 3 Series recall questions
How many recalls does the 2016 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW 3 Series. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.
Is a recall repair on a 2016 BMW 3 Series free?
Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized BMW dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.
How do I know if my 2016 BMW 3 Series was already fixed?
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows whether a campaign is open for that exact car. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.
Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-29. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.