2016 Bmw M235i Safety Report
2016 BMW M235i Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Bmw M235i
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Bmw M235i. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (8) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Bmw M235i with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Bmw M235i before buying across this generation. |
Bmw M235i Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Bmw M235i years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Bmw M235i | 5 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Bmw M235i | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Bmw M235i Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Bmw M235i, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Bmw onlyElectrical System,Service Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Service Brakes issues Bmw onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting issues Bmw onlySeat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seat Belts issues Bmw onlyFuel System, Gasoline
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Bmw onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Bmw onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Bmw M235i
Reliability Score
The 2016 Bmw M235i receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2016 Bmw M235i
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Bmw M235i:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Leak A transmission leak has been reported, with the leak occurring 'through the wall of the case' as determined by a local BMW dealer. This issue can compromise the vehicle's structural integrity and safety. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Faulty Wiring And Brake Light Assemblies BMW has admitted to a design flaw in the wiring and brake light assemblies, leading to potential brake light failures. This issue has been reported in BMW 2 series cars from 2015-2018. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Driver Side Seatbelt Retraction Issues The driver side seatbelt is slow to retract and keeps getting twisted, requiring careful assistance to feed the belt into the B pillar. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel Odor And Potential Fuel System Issues A fuel odor was reported, leading to a visit to an independent mechanic. This could indicate a potential issue with the fuel system. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Bmw M235i:
Transmission leaks have been reported, potentially compromising the vehicle's integrity and safety.
Faulty wiring and brake light assemblies have been identified, leading to potential brake light failures.
Driver side seatbelt retraction issues have been reported, requiring careful assistance to feed the belt into the B pillar.
Fuel odor was reported, leading to a visit to an independent mechanic. This could indicate a potential issue with the fuel system.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Bmw M235i
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Bmw M235i with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Our M235I has a transmission leak "thru the wall of the case" (i.e. THROUGH THE METAL CASE) as determined by a local BMW Dealer. They are not able to provide any Technical Service Bulletins or etc. from BMW for this "leaky case" issue. But they are saying this is a KNOWN problem with the transmission cases. They are advising a new transmission for $10K. Only alternative is to install used transmis...
BMW 2 series cars from about 2015-2018 have faulty wiring and brake light assemblies. BMW has admitted this design flaw in the harness and light - they extended the warranty for one year. As you know, brake light failures represent a real risk. It is unreasonable for BMW to charge $900 per light to fix a safety issue caused by a design flaw that they have admitted. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSEN...
Rear brake light failure due to faulty wiring. Identical to the details located in this article (https://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/bmw-recalling-241-000-3-series-models-over-faulty-tail-lights/) for which the NHTSA had issued a recall for older BMW models in the past. This issue is common and wide-spread amongst bmw models produced between 2014 - mid 2016. After which BMW modified the wiring har...
DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT IS SLOW TO RETRACT AND KEEPS GETTING TWISTED WHEN RETRACTING. YOU HAVE TO CAREFULLY HELP FEED THE BELT INTO THE B PILLAR FOR IT NOT TO DO THAT. IF NOT, IT WILL ALMOST GET JAMMED IN THE B PILLAR AND GET STUCK AND BECOMES NON-FUNCTIONAL. IT TAKES A LOT OF STRENGTH AND EFFORT TO PULL TO PULL IT BACK OUT. VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE ALWAYS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHILE DRIV...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW M235I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGED FUEL TANK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ...
IN LATE FEBRUARY 1, 2019, THE SUNROOF ON MY 2016 BMW M235I XDRIVE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY. I WAS NOT GOING UNDERNEATH ANY OVERPASS, AND NOTHING HIT THE GLASS. THE EXPLOSION WAS UNPROVOKED. THE SUNSHADE WAS NOT CLOSED, AND THE GLASS FELL ALL OVER ME, LARGE AND SMALL SHARDS. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH IN HEAVY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND PIECES OF GLASS FLEW OFF THE ...
THE CAR HAS INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER AND TACH) WITH LOW CONTRAST BETWEEN THE BACKGROUND AND LETTERING. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE HIGHLY VISIBLE WHEN THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTING IS ENABLED, BUT ARE NEARLY INVISIBLE WHEN THE LIGHTING IS OFF. THERE IS AN AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR THAT TURNS THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTING ON AND OFF AS YOU DRIVE IN MIXED SUN AND SHADE, SO AS YOU DRIVE FROM A SHADED AREA TO A SUN-LIT AREA...
WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP WITH THE NEAREST CAR ABOUT 5 OR 6 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. SMOOTH, PAVED ROAD WITH NO DEBRIS. THE SUNROOF MADE A LOUD POP AND SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY, RAINING GLASS DOWN ON ME. THE GLASS HAD AN OUTWARD BEND TO IT AS IF IT HAD EXPLODED OUTWARDS WITH PRESSURE RELIEF. NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS WERE SEEN OR POSSIBLE FROM NEARBY VEHICLES GIVEN THE DISTANCES BETWE...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Bmw M235i
Has the 2016 BMW M235I been recalled?
No, the 2016 BMW M235I has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2016 BMW M235I have?
The 2016 BMW M235I has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 BMW M235I?
The 2016 BMW M235I does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW M235I?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 BMW M235I involve power train (1 complaints), electrical system,service brakes (1 complaints), electrical system,exterior lighting (1 complaints). Other affected components include seat belts, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2016 BMW M235I have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 BMW M235I in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 BMW M235I have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 BMW M235I in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 BMW M235I?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BMW M235I.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 BMW M235I?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BMW M235I.
Should I buy a 2016 BMW M235I?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 BMW M235I is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 8 complaints, 0 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 BMW M235I?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 BMW M235I are: 1. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints), 4. SEAT BELTS (1 complaints), 5. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (1 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 BMW M235I?
Be cautious of transmission leaks and electrical system issues, as these can compromise safety. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 BMW M235I has 8 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 BMW M235I?
The 2016 BMW M235I receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 8 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Transmission Leak and Faulty Wiring and Brake Light Assemblies.
What are the known issues with the 2016 BMW M235I?
Known issues with the 2016 BMW M235I include: Transmission Leak, Faulty Wiring and Brake Light Assemblies, Driver Side Seatbelt Retraction Issues, Fuel Odor and Potential Fuel System Issues. These are based on patterns found across 8 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 BMW M235i?
Transmission leaks and electrical system issues, particularly faulty wiring and brake light assemblies, are the most common.
How can I check for a transmission leak?
Check for any unusual fluid leaks, especially around the transmission area, and consult a mechanic if you notice any.
What should I do if I smell fuel in my car?
Have the fuel system inspected by a professional to ensure there are no leaks or other issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission leaks and electrical system issues, as these can compromise safety. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Bmw M235i
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Bmw M235i. The data includes 8 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13