I am writing to report a critical structural safety defect involving the front steering knuckle (wheel carrier) on my 2016 BMW M4 GTS. Upon inspection, the original factory steering knuckle has developed severe structural cracks on both the top and bottom sections of the component. Safety Risk & Hazard:The steering knuckle is a primary load-bearing suspension component responsible for securing the front wheel assembly, brakes, and steering linkage. Because this vehicle has developed cracks on both the top and bottom of the knuckle, it is at imminent risk of total catastrophic failure. A complete fracture of this component will result in immediate wheel detachment, total loss of steering control, and a severe high-speed crash. This presents an extreme and immediate safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. Manufacturer Awareness:BMW is fully aware of this inherent structural flaw. The original component (Part #31-21-2-289-301 / #31-21-2-289-302) has been quietly superseded by a completely redesigned, reinforced "v2" revised part to mitigate this exact cracking issue. Despite knowing that the original components are prone to dangerous fatigue and cracking under stress, BMW has not issued a safety recall to replace these defective first-generation knuckles on a vehicle explicitly marketed and sold for track-oriented performance. Action Requested:I request that the federal safety agency immediately initiate a safety defect investigation into the first-generation BMW M4 GTS steering knuckles before a catastrophic failure results in a fatal accident. Furthermore, I request that BMW cover the immediate replacement of these defective components with the revised, structurally sound v2 parts at zero cost to the owner.
The worst 2016 BMW M4 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine9
- Transmission8
- Suspension6
- Fuel system4
- Steering2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine9
- Transmission8
- Suspension6
- Fuel system4
- Steering2
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Seats1
Recalls 3
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 18V713000 · Recall details
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
- Risk
- Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 16V653000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
- Risk
- If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 15V782000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 BMW M4 229
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The coverage period for qualifying lower rear side panel water drain repair that addresses the issues...
- A turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first 300 miles of...
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- With the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking...
- Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop
- Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
- After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes...
- Exterior rear lights do not work.
- The 3G network in the US has been shut down
- According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle...
What 2016 BMW M4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW M4. The contact stated that under previous ownership, the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency Campaign: 18V713000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed with an imbalanced drive shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Filled car with gas and drove home , came out 10 minutes later to a puddle of fuel under car , from the fuel tank on the rear driver side
Both front steering bearing carriers (knuckles) cracked... this is a well documented defect on the M4 GTS model that BMW has not addressed.
The car only has 500 miles. It is a show car not taken out of the garage. Went to change oil and inspection sticker. Found to have a bad front knuckle. It is cracked. Many forums on this. This car is limited and has very low miles by owners. This should not be occurring
The billet aluminum steering knuckles/steering carriers are cracked at one of two bolt points causing a significant safety concern. This is a known manufacturer defect and bmw subsequently changed the design of the replacement part. This billet aluminum part is specific to the 2016 bmw m4 gts, a limited edition bmw m4. Approximately 800 m4 gts's were ever built and these parts are failing at all mileage values. This issue is well documented on bimmerpost.com from several owners. Bmw will not cover the cost to replace if the vehicle is outside of the warranty, regardless of the mileage; mine has 6,500 miles. If the second bolt fails, the component will no longer be attached to the strut and cause catastrophic damage to the vehicle, personal injury and potentially death. I notified bmw and they denied the claim after 4 weeks of review without any reason.
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.
The crank hub on this vehicle can spun and brake inside the engine without any warning, if that happens on a hwy for example the vehicle will completely loose power and I can be involved in a accident which maybe fatal.
Crank hub spins, its something that bmw manufacture should recall and fix because it can damage your whole engine.
Bmw is aware of a crack developing in a front suspension carrier (one each located on both the driver's side and passenger's side - two total). Bmw had to replace my passenger side carrier under warranty. When I took my car in for an oil change, the service technician detected a hairline crack and ordered the replacement part from germany. I did not ask for the part to be inspected; it seems that bmw has instructed its service centers to inspect vehicles for this particular failure. I asked the service center to proactively replace the driver's side carrier, too. They refused to do so. The issue with cracks developing in the front two carriers is well documented (see, for example: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1550724). I have attached a copy of the service record showing replacement of my passenger side carrier. I have also attached two images showing cracks on the part from the link provided above. I believe that bmw should be required to replace the carriers on all cars given the possibility of failure and the known failure frequency.
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Questions about the 2016 BMW M4
Is the 2016 BMW M4 reliable?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2016 BMW M4, 11.0 times a typical M4 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 BMW M4?
Engine and cooling, with 9 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles. Next is transmission (8).
How many recalls does the 2016 BMW M4 have?
3 recalls, covering power train and structure.
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