TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away from a parking space.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 BMW M4 powertrain problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 7 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 BMW M4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
Powertrain accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
"SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE REAR-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 33 04 16 dated August 2016 The vehicle delivery stop has been lifted.. The rear differential emits a loud noise. Manufacturing defect in the rear differential limited slip clutch pack. This may cause, in certain driving situations, excessive noise from the rear differential. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Service Action involves certain M2 Coupe, M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and Convertible, M5 and M6 (Gran Coupe, Convertible, and Coupe) produced from May 12, 2016 through July 4, 2016. Vehicles which require this Service Action to be completed will show it as ""Open"" when checked either in AIR, the ""Service Menu"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE REAR-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 33 04 16 dated August 2016 The vehicle delivery stop has been lifted.. The rear differential emits a loud noise. Manufacturing defect in the rear differential limited slip clutch pack. This may cause, in certain driving situations, excessive noise from the rear differential. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Service Action involves certain M2 Coupe, M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and Convertible, M5 and M6 (Gran Coupe, Convertible, and Coupe) produced from May 12, 2016 through July 4, 2016. Vehicles which require this Service Action to be completed will show it as ""Open"" when checked either in AIR, the ""Service Menu"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The delivery stop has been lifted for certain affected M vehicles produced from May 12, 2016 through July 4, 2016. While the delivery stop has been lifted, customers must sign a disclosure prior to delivery acknowledging the premature wearing of the rear axle differential. A copy of the disclosure form is attached and must be maintained in the customer?s deal jacket. Body of Disclosure:In the course of ongoing quality analysis, BMW has discovered that the disc in the rear-axle differential in the vehicle reference above wears out prematurely, causing loud noises. The remedy parts for the repair are not yet available. BMW of North America (?BMW NA?) will notify you when parts are available an
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The delivery stop has been lifted for certain affected M vehicles produced from May 12, 2016 through July 4, 2016. While the delivery stop has been lifted, customers must sign a disclosure prior to delivery acknowledging the premature wearing of the rear axle differential. A copy of the disclosure form is attached and must be maintained in the customer?s deal jacket. Body of Disclosure:In the course of ongoing quality analysis, BMW has discovered that the disc in the rear-axle differential in the vehicle reference above wears out prematurely, causing loud noises. The remedy parts for the repair are not yet available. BMW of North America (?BMW NA?) will notify you when parts are available an
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Crank hub spins
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 BMW m4. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle as complete acceleration was lost. The contact stated was able to pull over to the side of roadway. The vehicle was towed to erhard BMW of farmington hills located on 38700 grand river ave, farmington hills, mi 48335, phone number: (888) 494-0358, where…
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.
This car is equipped with auto start/stop technology. On several occasions the car has completely stalled out and failed. The dealership has been notified of the issue with car, and has stated they are unable to duplicate the problem, and offer no remedy. After my car has been out of service for a whole host of issues to include transmissions, excessive brake noise and hesitation, engine…
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…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 BMW M4?
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 powertrain problem on the 2016 BMW M4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 55,522 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/M4.
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.