2016 BMW M4: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2015 and 2017 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2016 BMW M4. The contact stated that under previous ownership, the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 15V782000 (Power Train) at a local dealer. The contact stated that two years later, the contact was unsure if the vehicle was included or repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 18V713000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed with an imbalanced drive shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2025
“Filled car with gas and drove home , came out 10 minutes later to a puddle of fuel under car , from the fuel tank on the rear driver side”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2024
“Both front steering bearing carriers (knuckles) cracked... this is a well documented defect on the M4 GTS model that BMW has not addressed.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The car only has 500 miles. It is a show car not taken out of the garage. Went to change oil and inspection sticker. Found to have a bad front knuckle. It is cracked. Many forums on this. This car is limited and has very low miles by owners. This should not be occurring”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2022
“Diagnosed with cooling system issue, 2nd cooling system dry/low or leaking, transmission issue, code 537, power train issue, car is quick shifting and skipping from 5th to 7th gear with a buzzing sound, and without a drop in power. The car only has 48,000 miles. We bought this car 5 months ago from a mercedes benz dealership in tyler, texas. It shows on this sight that there's 3 recalls.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2020
“The crank hub on this vehicle can spun and brake inside the engine without any warning, if that happens on a hwy for example the vehicle will completely loose power and I can be involved in a accident which maybe fatal.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“Multiple owners with the same platform are reporting having issues with the hub spinning and breaking we all feel like this is a manufacturer defect that needs to be recalled”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 bmw m4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v713000 (power train). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called bmw of el cajon (720 el cajon blvd, el cajon, ca 92020, (619) 442-8888) and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 bmw m4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v713000 (power train). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Nick alexander bmw (6333 s alameda st, los angeles, ca 90001, (323) 583-1901) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *dt*jb”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2018
“The car continues to accelerate sometimes when I let my foot off the accelerator pedal. I have seen other complaints on bmw message boards as well. This could be fatal.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact M4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 BMW M4 reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 BMW M4. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2016 BMW M4 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.