Model year guide

2016 BMW M235i

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 BMW M235i is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2016 BMW M235i — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 BMW M235i at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints8
Combined22–24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2016 BMW M235i recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2016 BMW M235i.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2016 BMW M235i common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2016 BMW M235i MPG & running costs

Combined22–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,575
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S8) or Manual 6-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 BMW M235i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,875
Fuel only$17,875
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 287

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 287.

Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-

Bulletin B340714 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2023

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

Bulletin B651523 · Electrical System · May 2023

The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in t…

Bulletin B840822 · Electrical System, Equipment · Mar 2023

After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence.

Bulletin B122519 · Power Train · Dec 2022

The sunroof and/or panoramic sunroof jams sporadically.

Bulletin SIB540222 · Visibility · Jun 2022

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note: Opening, closing and starting via the BMW Digital Key or the Digital Key Card are not a…

Bulletin SIB662419 · Electrical System, Equipment · Jun 2022

The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, superseded t…

Bulletin SIB651312 · Electrical System · May 2022

Component and Issue Specific Limited Emission Warranty Extension. This component-specific limited emission warranty extension applies to defects in materials or workmanship.

Bulletin B58N20N55S55 · Equipment · Apr 2022

Component and Issue Specific Limited Emission Warranty Extension. This bulletin is notice of a limited emission warranty extension. This is NOT a notice of a Recall or Service Action. There is no immediate repair required unless the BMW vehicle is currently ex…

Bulletin B010722 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022

The quick disconnect coupling on the cylinder head coolant vent line could break at the cylinder head. This would lead to loss of coolant from the engine.

Bulletin B170121 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2022

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the M235I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the BMW M235i

The BMW 2 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars (C-segment) manufactured by BMW since the year 2014. The 2 Series was created when BMW spun-off the 2-door models of the BMW 1 Series into a separate series.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2016 BMW M235i trims & engines on record

Trims
M235i
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 320 hp

2016 BMW M235i vehicles on record

Other BMW M235i model years

2016 BMW M235i — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 BMW M235i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW M235i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW M235i?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, exterior lighting, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW M235i get?

The 2016 BMW M235i has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.