Most common 2016 BMW 428i problems
Share of the 44 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 428i complaints by model year
Best 428i years: 2014. Years to avoid: 2015. Compare all years →
2016 BMW 428i recalls (1)
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 BMW 428i:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
What 2016 BMW 428i owners say
Electrical system all 24 →
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.
Re BMW 2016 428ix- BMW admits that there is a design flaw in this model, but has not remedied a fix for this 'MALFUNCTION DEFECT'. Top does not open or close is the end result. Getting caught in a flash rain, and wanting to close the top was impossible. Trying to pull over to the nearest overpass till rain lightens up, the most dangerous situation to be in. This is a SAFETY issue and bmw will not take care of it. I have come to learn, that It seems in their design flaw, rain collects that you cant see, but shorts out the motor of the top and top will not function at all. Many owners have the same problem and BMW will not recall it. Local dealer says he has to drill 2 holes on the bottom of the car so water will drain out and then a new motor for the top installed. Cost $2400. BMW service knows the problem, has many cars with the same problem.There is no warning that your top wont work. …
Engine & cooling all 23 →
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.
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 of time to repair the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Brakes
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 front of me. In other instances, I was only able to avoid a collision by swerving into adjacent lanes.
2016 BMW 428i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 23 / 34 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 33 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | RWD | 22 / 33 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 BMW 428i a good car?
Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 428i rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the 428i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 BMW 428i?
The electrical system — 24 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (23) and brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2016 BMW 428i have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 BMW 428i, the most recent from August 13, 2024 (connectors/plugs/receptacles). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 428i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015. See the full BMW 428i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 BMW 428i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 34,000 miles; 75% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.