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Your vehicleHome›BMW›3 Series› 2016
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
BMW · Midsize Sedan

2016 BMW 3 Series

Plug-in hybrid Gas Diesel
Compact Cars
17 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
44 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls4 critical 6
Complaints13 crash · 6 fire · 11 injured reported 106
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 35 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, gas and diesel midsize sedan 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 106 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

2016 BMW 3 Series

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
330ePlug-in hybridRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 65kW283631 (38 MPGe blended)14 mi electric472 h$2,650
320iGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233528———$2,950
320iGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233527———$3,050
320i xDriveGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233427———$3,050
328iGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233527———$3,050
328iGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326———$3,150
328i xDriveGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326———$3,150
328i xDrive Gran TurismoGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326———$3,150
328i xDrive Sports WagonGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326———$3,150
340iGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223225———$3,300
340i xDriveGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223225———$3,300
335i xDrive Gran TurismoGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo203023———$3,550
340iGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202923———$3,550
340i xDriveGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202823———$3,550
328dDieselRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo314235———$2,750
328d xDriveDieselAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo304034———$2,800
328d xDrive Sports WagonDieselAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo304034———$2,800

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37289, 36723, 36651, 36652, 36792, 36649, 36650, 36685, 36689, 36888.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
330e6 / 10LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
320i5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 335i xDrive Gran Turismo5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
328i5–8 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEV125 / LEV-II SULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
328i xDrive, 328i xDrive Gran Turismo5–8 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II SULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
340i, 340i xDrive6 / 10LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
328d, 328d xDrive, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleCoupe
Doors2
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower241 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 3-series, SA, xDrive, xDrive GT). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length182.3–190.2 in
Width (body, without mirrors)71.3–72.0 in
Height56.3–59.4 in
Wheelbase110.6–115.0 in
Track, front60.2–60.6 in
Track, rear61.8–62.6 in
Curb weight3,250–4,010 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear49/51 to 52/48

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 11 configurations: 320I 4-door Sedan RWD, 320I xDrive 4-door Sedan AWD, 328D xDrive 4-door Sedan AWD, 328I 4-door Sedan RWD, 328I xDrive 4-door Sedan AWD, 328I xDrive Gran Turismo …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 3 Series
Other years The 2027 3 Series Recalls BMW recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

Park outside 29,119 vehicles
Problem 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. 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V441000 reported Jul 8, 2026 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

720,796 vehicles 39% reported repaired
Problem 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V608000 reported Aug 13, 2024 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Fuel System, Diesel

50,404 vehicles 84% reported repaired
Problem 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
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V907000 reported Nov 19, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Diesel

11,216 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V586000 reported Jul 29, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

8,536 vehicles 94% reported repaired
Problem 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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V185000 reported Mar 26, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

44,368 vehicles 85% reported repaired built Sep 12, 2012 – Jun 29, 2017
Problem 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V755000 reported Oct 25, 2018 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect 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 re

Opened Mar 17, 2023 · action EA23001 · the investigation’s page →

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 mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

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 subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific 3 Series

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. BMW publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →BMW’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 BMW 3 Series, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 BMW 3 Series

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this 3 Series →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
106complaints filed

13 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 11 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 7 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Engine 44
Electrical System 26
Service Brakes 19
Unspecified 18
Power Train 14
Air Bags 6

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Need to recall as it is Common Knowledge among the BMW technicians that these vehicles are plagued with hazard of Parking / Emergency Break line clip breaking and for the line contacting the rotating drive shaft. The holding clip Mfg Part # 34406854898 breaks regularly !
Service Brakes Jul 26, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11534592
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that the Drive Train Failure, Check Engine, and Engine Overheating warning lights were illuminated. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and fluid was leaking underneath the vehicle near the muffler and under the driver's side seat.
Engine at 145,000 miles Apr 7, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11729591
(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.
Fuel/Propulsion System Apr 22, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11584611
My vehicle functioned normally without any faults for the approximately year and a half/ ~20,000 miles I used it. The one day I attempt to start my vehicle in colder weather (-6 degrees fahrenheit) and my starter fried and my engine seized up.
Power Train Feb 14, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11507274
The central locking system frequently goes out and I'd have to replace the three doors actuators that don't work consistently. many times I'm locked in the car with the only way of getting out is by lowering the window and climbing out.
Electrical System Apr 14, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11517043
I was involved in a major accident in a 2016 Bmw 320I with front and passenger side impact. It was so bad, it pushed back my entire axle, wheels, etc. my driver side nor passenger side airbags failed to deploy. I was traveling 40 miles per hour when hit by another driver who was traveling downhill at or above the same speed.
Air Bags at 55,000 miles May 15, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11324617

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.

Reported by BMW itself: 29 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 killed, 29 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every 3 Series model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 27k

miles, typically

Half the 46 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 13,000 and 60,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 9
10k–20k 9
20k–30k 7
30k–40k 6
40k–50k 2
50k–60k 1
60k–70k 1
70k–80k 2
80k–90k 0
90k–100k 1
100k–150k 5
150k + 3

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine16100,0001.61×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported later: engine (1.61×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%
5 HB AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%
SW AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 8 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

2 more in this page’s JSON.

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every BMW warranty extension (46) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 2,202
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-05-07
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 2192 service bulletins, 10 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Structure.

  • B011325 Warranty extension
    2026-05-07 · Engine
  • The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B010520 Warranty extension
    2025-08-15 · Engine
  • N47/N57 DIESEL ENGINE EGR COOLER REVISED EXT LTD WTY(ELW) COVERAGE/PROCEDURE
  • B010125 Warranty extension
    2025-08-12 · Engine
  • The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 25 years without mileage limit as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B011124 Warranty extension
    2024-12-04 · Electrical System
  • the High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first delivery date.
  • B011324 Warranty extension
    2024-11-14 · Service Brakes
  • BMW of North America, LLC(BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty forthe vehicle’s Brake Servo Unit’s ElectricVacuum Pump assembly to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined bythe vehicle’s original in-service date.
  • B011019 Warranty extension
    2024-06-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System
  • Component-Specific Extended Limited Warranty (ELW) Issues with the fuel supply module/level sensor assembly and its related components, the fuel doorcover pot (ejector and drive), the filler flap (door) itself and/or the emergency release mechanism arenot included under this extended warranty coverage.
  • B010224 Warranty extension
    2024-05-02 · Engine
  • EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
  • B010520 Service bulletin
    2024-01-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling
  • The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: 24CE00 Hot film air mass meter: Ratio of measured to calculated air mass too high 27F000 Charge air hose monitoring in idle: Charge air hose fallen down 290900 Air system, air to EGR air mass flow plausibility: Measured air mass compared to calculated air mass

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 BMW 3 Series failed the emissions check on 3.9% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 3.9%

failed emissions

2,176 initial inspections of 2,110 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 3 SeriesEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.9%4.2%2,171
Failed the safety inspection1.6%2.2%2,176
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.41%0.27%2,176
Miles driven a year9,23010,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer94,612103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

3 Series by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A* 0 0 2026 A 0 1 31 mpg2025 B 1 6 31 mpg2024 C 2 11 29 mpg2023 D 4 14 29 mpg2022 D 3 15 30 mpg2021 F 9 33 Park outside2020 F 13 53 Park outside2019 F 9 41 Park outside2018 F 7 73 Park outside2017 F 4 80 Park outside2016 this page F 6 106 Park outside

Common questions about the 2016 3 Series

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW 3 Series, 4 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 26V441000, covering Electrical System. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

NHTSA gave the 2016 BMW 3 Series 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (44/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

Across the 17 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 BMW 3 Series, the best EPA combined figure is 35 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

Transport Canada measured it at 182.3–190.2 in long, 71.3–72.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 56.3–59.4 in tall, on a 110.6–115.0 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,250–4,010 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 3 Series, most often about engine, electrical system, service brakes. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 11 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 BMW 3 Series runs 5 to 8 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 5, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, LEV-II SULEV, LEV-II ULEV, LEV-II ULEV125, LEV-III ULEV125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

The manufacturer has filed 2202 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW 3 Series, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-05-07. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 BMW 3 Series do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 BMW 3 Series failed the emissions check on 3.9% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations17 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates17 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints106NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings4 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins2202NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations3NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA8 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 3 Series The 3 Series model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every BMW recall on file All campaigns filed against BMW vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this 3 Series by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

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). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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