CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2016 BMW 428I

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

43

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 BMW 428I have filed 43 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2017 and March 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 24 of them (56%). The typical failure was reported at 33,500 miles, the median across the 12 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 44% year on year: 10 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 18 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

24V608000 · August 13, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 720,796 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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 substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 43.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24 56%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17 40%
ENGINE 6 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 14%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 5%
STRUCTURE 2 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 5%
VISIBILITY 2 5%
AIR BAGS 1 2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 2%
POWER TRAIN 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 19.

2017 2025 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 35,000 miles

CAR IN MOTION TBONE ACCIDENT NO AIRBAG ACTIVATED

NHTSA complaint 11241214. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · towed

2016 BMW 428I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE ABOUT HALF A CAR LENGTH INTO AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS NOTHING TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER INJURED HER ANKLE FROM PRESSING THE BRAKES FORCEFULLY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. *JS

NHTSA complaint 11205633. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

TWO COLLISIONS AND SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS DRIVING 40-60 MPH, THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY BRAKED, AND I IMMEDIATELY BRAKED WITH ENOUGH TIME AND DISTANCE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. EACH TIME, ALTHOUGH I SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IMMEDIATELY, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS BRAKING, BUT NOT NEARLY AS FAST OR AS INTENSELY ENOUGH GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE I WAS APPLYING TO THE BRAKES AND THE TIME AND DISTANCE I HAD TO STOP BEFORE REACHING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IN TWO OF THESE INSTANCES, WHERE THERE WERE CARS IN THE ADJACENT LANES, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SWERVE AWAY TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I COLLIDED WITH THE CAR IN

NHTSA complaint 10991389, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

towed · 14,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW 428I. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "DRIVE TERRAIN MALFUNCTION/VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO START" DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND RESTART IT AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS (30 MINUTE WAIT). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF HENDERSON, 261 AUTO MALL DR, HENDERSON, NV, 8901) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER THE REPAIR, THE RUBBER WINDOW TRIM FLEW OFF AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL HISSING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SOUTH BAY BMW, 18800

NHTSA complaint 11010318, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:COMPRESSOR
Possible wiring harness for the air conditioning system that may be damaged and cause a short circuit. Had to air compressors installed and both reasons codes were "shorts". A damaged A/C wiring harness can short-circuit, potentially creating electrical issues and increasing safety risks while driving or when parked. A recall was just issued in February but my vehicle wasn't included and I'm thinking it is because most BMW owners today would not be owning a 2016 coupe which I bought in 2020 just because it was a good deal. I'm thinking no BMW owner bothered even submitting a complaint for this issue ever...just me because I'm poor and live in Miami, FL. Any help with this would be greatly

NHTSA complaint 11724989, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. Radio cut on and off and then Engine failed. I started smelling weird fumes when I was driving but eventually the car restarted back up. 2. Car stopped on the highway and could have resulted in other vehicles running into me. 3. No, I parked the car at my house and don't drive it. 4.No, I parked the car at my house and I don't drive it 5. Yes, the yellow lights on the dash board came on and it said something about the ignition.

NHTSA complaint 11687510. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11684565. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

115,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the vehicle had an abnormal engine coolant leak. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge was rising abnormally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA complaint 11680197. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the engine was overheating, and the air condition system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount

NHTSA complaint 11674542, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine coolant pump on my 2016 BMW 4 Series has an open recall (#24V-608), issued in August 2024. It’s been almost a year, and the remedy is still marked as "Not Available." Recently, my check engine light came on. I used my personal OBD-II scanner and retrieved fault code U019F, which indicates “Lost Communication with Engine Coolant Pump Control Module.” This is directly related to the recalled component. I contacted BMW of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, NY, and they told me I need to pay $335 for a diagnostic, even though I already provided the fault code and it matches the recall issue. They said this is a “standard diagnostic fee,” and they do not offer reimbursement even if it turns out

NHTSA complaint 11663282, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 428I

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 76 5
2014 36 6

Other 2016 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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Independent developer and analyst