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2016 BMW M3 engine problems

moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →

Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100

When does it fail?

Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2016 BMW M3, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.

0-25k
2 (66.7%)
25-50k
1 (33.3%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

engine · 20,000 mi · filed 12/19/2019

There's a known issue with 2015+ BMW f80 m3 s55 engine. The issue is the crank hub spinning out and damaging the car. It leaves the vehicle in a dangerous state when driving on the road and to others near by. This issue happens to stock vehicles and modded ones. If the crank hub spins while the car is moving, it can leave the car in a dangerous state with no power. Links about it:…

engine · 28,000 mi · filed 12/18/2019

The crankhub on these cars are ticking time bombs and is likely to fail just outside of warranty forcing huge repair bills. In some cases, a "lucky" few just need to be retimed and only require 18 hours of labor. However, others have not been so lucky and have required an all-new engine. This is an issue BMW is fully aware of but has not taken responsbility for their insufficient engineering.

engine · 20,000 mi · filed 12/18/2019

There's a known issue with 2015+ BMW f80 m3 s55 engine. The issue is the crank hub spinning out and damaging the car. It leaves the vehicle in a dangerous state when driving on the road and to others near by. This issue happens to stock vehicles and modded ones. If the crank hub spins while the car is moving, it can leave the car in a dangerous state with no power. Links about it:…

Had engine trouble with your 2016 BMW M3? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 BMW M3?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 22,667 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/BMW/M3. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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