Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2016 BMW 328D with NHTSA between 2017 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the BMW 328D. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2016 BMW 328D
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
433.3%
Median failure at 18,338 miles
Engine & Cooling
433.3%
Brakes
216.7%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2017peak 3Apr 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2016 BMW 328D
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
2
investigations are
still open.
EA23001Opened 17 Mar 2023Still openFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
High pressure fuel pump failure
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 compreh...
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.C...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Carlsbad, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
(1) Failed component: High Pressure Fuel Pump (2) The vehicle complete shut down without warning leaving the driver stranded on the road. (3) The problem has been assessed and confirmed. (4) The vehicle has been inspected by a certified BMW mechanic. (5) There was no warning prior to failure. Description: While driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle shut down. I was told by a certified BMW mechanic that the high pressure fuel pump imploded, sending metal chards through the fuel injection line thereby disabling the vehicle entirely. I inquired as to whether or not a recall had been issued and BMW told me it had not been issued for my vehicle. I have since learned that a recall was issued due to this exact problem but my VIN was not included in the recall, even though it is the year make and model associated with this very problem. The breakdown/disintegration of the equipment sending metal chard throughout the fuel line disabled and ruined the entire fuel system and its components with repairs costs estimated at $15,285. My car is within the ten year warranty but outside of the 120,000 miles. This is for the 328D xdrive wagon.
NHTSA complaint #11584611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The high-pressure fuel pump failed causing the engine to stop completely without any prior warning and the car put itself in park on the highway and would not get out of park to go into neutral or any other gear. This could have caused a very serious crash and highly increased my risk of injury or death. You are more than welcome to inspect it. It is currently sitting at the dealership waiting for a resolution. My safety and the safety of many others on the 65mph highway were put at risk when the car completely stopped in the middle of the road and would not move until the tow truck arrived to drag it on their truck (would not even go into neutral). The problem was confirmed by the BMW dealership of Cincinnati and inspected by them as well. There were absolutely no warning messages, signs, or anything informing me of an issue before this occurred. However, once the car was towed and we turned it back on once it arrived at the dealership and warning lamp appeared on the dashboard. Here is the link to the video the dealership sent me after it was inspected :: https://api.mykaarma.com/video-walkaround/details?inspection_uuid=633c93939e372707d24145f0&fileType=video
NHTSA complaint #11489096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
ENGINE
Collision warning is often inaccurate. Signaling collision when no obstacles are present. Also, EGR Cooler recall still pending.
NHTSA complaint #11474829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Collision warning is often inaccurate. Signaling collision when no obstacles are present. Also, EGR Cooler recall still pending.
NHTSA complaint #11474829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint James, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328D. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11471497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kentfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
Total brake failure
NHTSA complaint #11440214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW 328D. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT BMW OF BAKERSFIELD (LOCATED AT 5400 GASOLINE ALLEY DR, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313, (661) 396-4040) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11218550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA
ENGINE
RECALL 18V-755.AFTER WAITING SINCE DEC 2018 THE PARTS ARRIVED AT MY DEALERSHIP FOR THIS RECALL. THE CARE WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALER "INSPECTED" THE EGR COOLER AND PRONOUNCED IT "FINE". I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS DOWN THE THE ROAD WHEN IT FAILS AND BURNS UP MY VEHICLE AND OR GARAGE? IF THE PART IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN SHOULDN'T IT BE CHANGED? WHO IS LIABLE?
NHTSA complaint #11209693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Earlysville, VA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW 328DX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE AT BMW OF CHARLOTTESVILLE (LOCATED AT 1295 RICHMOND RD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911, (434) 270-8664), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11160744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,338 milesWestlake Village, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING APPX 45 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) ON A SUBURBAN STREET WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF POWER, SLOWED DOWN TO A CRAWL AND BECAME TOTALLY LIMP. MEANWHILE, THE IMAGE ON THE NAVI SCREEN STATED, "POWERTRAIN FAILURE, DRIVE MODERATE SPEED" OR SOMETHING LIKE IT. I MANAGED TO MAKE A VERY SLOW LEFT TURN ONTO A CROSS STREET B/C I WAS IN SHOCK. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY AN ONCOMING CAR GOING 45-50 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RUSNAK BMW; AFTER INVESTIGATION, THEY STATED IT HAD A "BAD FUEL PUMP," AND THAT THEY HAVE "COUNTLESS FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH BMW DIESEL CARS". THE CAR NOW HAS A NEW FUEL PUMP. I COULD HAVE DIED!
NHTSA complaint #11051634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesMinneapolis, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH THE OPTIONAL "ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL" (ACC). UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED BY THE DRIVER, THE ACC ENGAGEMENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE TERMINATED. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THE ACC REMAINS ENGAGED DESPITE THE DRIVER'S USE OF THE BRAKES. WHEN THE ACC IS ENGAGED AND DETECTS AN OBJECT AHEAD, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY BY THE ACC. IF, WHILE THE BRAKES ARE STILL BE APPLIED BY THE ACC AND THE DRIVER ALSO PRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ACC SHOULD BE DISENGAGED AND REMAIN OFF. HOWEVER, IF THE OBJECT PREVIOUSLY DETECTED AHEAD HAS CLEARED AND THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKES, THE ACC CONTROL IS RESTORED AND THE CAR ACCELERATES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND CONFUSING RESPONSE. DRIVERS INSTINCTIVELY EXPECT ANY CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND REMAIN DISENGAGED UPON BRAKE APPLICATION.THE BMW ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT PERFORM THIS WAY IN THE SITUATION DESCRIBED. THIS ACC RESPONSE IS A REPEATABLE DEFECT THAT HAS CAUSED ME TO EXPERIENCE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11048576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesMinneapolis, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH THE OPTIONAL "ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL" (ACC). UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED BY THE DRIVER, THE ACC ENGAGEMENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE TERMINATED. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THE ACC REMAINS ENGAGED DESPITE THE DRIVER'S USE OF THE BRAKES. WHEN THE ACC IS ENGAGED AND DETECTS AN OBJECT AHEAD, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY BY THE ACC. IF, WHILE THE BRAKES ARE STILL BE APPLIED BY THE ACC AND THE DRIVER ALSO PRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ACC SHOULD BE DISENGAGED AND REMAIN OFF. HOWEVER, IF THE OBJECT PREVIOUSLY DETECTED AHEAD HAS CLEARED AND THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKES, THE ACC CONTROL IS RESTORED AND THE CAR ACCELERATES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND CONFUSING RESPONSE. DRIVERS INSTINCTIVELY EXPECT ANY CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND REMAIN DISENGAGED UPON BRAKE APPLICATION.THE BMW ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT PERFORM THIS WAY IN THE SITUATION DESCRIBED. THIS ACC RESPONSE IS A REPEATABLE DEFECT THAT HAS CAUSED ME TO EXPERIENCE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11048576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.