Model year 2016 · BMW

2016 BMW 3 Series / M3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 9 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW 3 Series / M3 — 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The most recent was reported on July 8, 2026. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: 328D, 328I, 328XI, 330E IPERFORMANCE, M3.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW 3 Series / M3, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
26V441000	July 8, 2026	Electrical System › Starter Assembly › RelayPark outside
24V608000	August 13, 2024	Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles
21V907000	November 19, 2021	Fuel System, Diesel
21V586000	July 29, 2021	Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump
20V185000	March 26, 2020	Power Train › Driveline › Constant Velocity Joint
18V755000	October 25, 2018	Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
18V713000	October 11, 2018	Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
16V653000	September 9, 2016	Structure › Frame And Members
15V782000	November 23, 2015	Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

Systems involved: Power Train (3) · Electrical System (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (2) · Fuel System, Diesel (2) · Structure (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 26V441000

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay

Park outside advisory

Report received by NHTSA: July 8, 2026
Owner notification: September 30, 2026
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 29,119 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: 330E IPERFORMANCE

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026. 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.

Source: NHTSA recall 26V441000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 24V608000

Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles

Report received by NHTSA: August 13, 2024
Owner notification: March 28, 2025
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 720,796 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: 328I, 328XI

Components: Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles; Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Pump

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 24V608000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V907000

Fuel System, Diesel

Report received by NHTSA: November 19, 2021
Owner notification: July 6, 2022
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 50,404 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: 328D

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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 service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V907000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V586000

Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump

Report received by NHTSA: July 29, 2021
Owner notification: January 14, 2022
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 11,216 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: 328D

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V586000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 20V185000

Power Train › Driveline › Constant Velocity Joint

Report received by NHTSA: March 26, 2020
Owner notification: May 22, 2020
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 8,536 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: 328D

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 20V185000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 18V755000

Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)

Report received by NHTSA: October 25, 2018
Owner notification: May 13, 2019
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 44,368 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 BMW 3 Series / M3: September 12, 2012 – June 29, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record: 328D

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 18V755000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 18V713000

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

Report received by NHTSA: October 11, 2018
Owner notification: April 9, 2019
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 2,661 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 BMW 3 Series / M3: June 28, 2016 – September 30, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record: M3

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 18V713000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V653000

Structure › Frame And Members

Report received by NHTSA: September 9, 2016
Owner notification: November 3, 2016
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 196 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 BMW 3 Series / M3: June 17, 2014 – July 1, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record: M3

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V653000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 15V782000

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

Report received by NHTSA: November 23, 2015
Owner notification: January 14, 2016
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 42 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 BMW 3 Series / M3: May 30, 2015 – September 2, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: M3

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 15V782000, filed by BMW of North America, LLC. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: July 9, 2026.