Service bulletins for the 2016 BMW 320i
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
353 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
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Only bulletins with component: Electrical system are shown. Show all
| B840616 | 2018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. BMW Online/BMW ConnectedDrive not functional. Vehicle and service cockpit have different ICC-ID's (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier). |
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| B840214 | 2018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative. This Service Information bulletin is being published because vehicles are down for an extended period of time when researching system failures with ConnectedDrive or BMW Assist. This Service Information bulletin will assist you both in identifying the issue and providing technical support. CAUSE Not enough information is available for BMW NA engineers to assist the technician in diagnosing the root cause. |
| B122618 | 2018-12-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ENGINE. ? ?SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE THE STARTER MOTOR F30/G12 PHEV. Due to high impact energy when engaging, the circlip for the starter motor pinion positioning may break which may cause the pinion to move in the direction of the starter jaw, causing a a damage of the starter motor. Also, a consequential damage to the flywheel (torsional vibration damper) and automatic transmission may occurr. |
| B122716 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DIAGNOSING NON FUNCTIONING eDRIVE. * Vehicle will not go into "eDrive" * No pertinent electric drivetrain fault codes to assist with diagnosis * "eDrive" may be greyed-out in the Central Information Display (CID) and is not selectable * MSA deactivation * 12 volt battery failure * Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) failure. |
| B120918 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. NOISE FROM ENGINE WHEN STARTING. Noise when starting the engine. Engine making a rattling/grinding noise near the 12 volt starter motor. The following fault has been stored in the DME fault memory: * 21A511 - Start system, pinion starter motor: Timeout The following faults are also possible: * 21A504 - EGS, separation clutch: jammed open * 21A50A - Start system, pinion starter: Timeout successively occurred multiple times * 21A510 - Start system, EME: Timeout Consequential damage to flywheel (Torsional vibration damper) and automatic transmission may have also occurred. The starter motor is broken. It may be indicated by: |
| B641118 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM. STATIONARY CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING AFTER HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING. After the high voltage (HV) charging procedure, the stationary climate control (aka preconditioning) does not work. This is part of the normal design. There is no fault or defect. |
| B613017 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. RAIN/LIGHT SENSOR (RLS): OIL LEAKAGE FROM GEL PAD. ??Oil leaking from the Rain/Light Sensor (RLS). Note: This oil serves as a separation medium between the RLS mounting gel pad and the windscreen. The oil ensures damage free disassembly in case of repair. CAUSE The oil that serves as the separation medium of the Rain/Light Sensor (RLS) gel pad and the windscreen leaks out. Expose the Rain/Light Sensor (RLS) and properly clean the area of all oily residue. Note: The separating oil usually leaks only once from the pad at the RLS. Due to the small oil quantity in the gel pad, additional oil leakage is not plausible. Leaking oil does not impair the function of the RLS. |
| B612617 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. Charging of the high voltage battery is interrupted and will not complete. A change in the job structure in ISTA causes the BDC to open the 30B relay unexpectedly. |
| B612517 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. SME - HV BATTERY CELL MODULE VOLTAGE FAULTS. When diagnosing with ISTA or ISTA Next, a fault code (detailed below), regarding the cell voltage measurement, is entered in the battery management electronics (SME). ? 21F0C2 - High-voltage battery, cell supervision circuit 1: Voltage measurement (battery cell), line disconnection ? 21F0C3 - High-voltage battery, cell supervision circuit 2: Voltage measurement (battery cell), line disconnection ? 21F0C4 - High-voltage battery, cell supervision circuit 3: Voltage measurement (battery cell), line disconnection ? 21F0C5 - High-voltage battery, cell supervision circuit 4: Voltage measurement (battery cell), line disconnection ? 21F0C6 - High-voltage battery, cell supervision circuit 5: Voltage measurement (battery cell), line disconnection The customer might not have reported the situation as the fault code could have no effect on the vehicle operation. Erroneous fault in the fault memory of the SME, possible fault in a cell supervision circuit (CSC) or a cell module. |
| B612417 | 2018-11-26. Service bulletin. STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "?STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DO NOT FUNCTION RELIABLY. ? Sporadic or continuous malfunction of multifunction steering wheel buttons ? CC Message ""Cruise control without function"" displayed ? Sporadic or continuous malfunction of shift paddles Frictional corrosion on connector line (wiring harness) between switch cluster and steering wheel" |
| B621215 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Instrument Cluster Outside Temperature Display Implausible. INFORMATION This service information bulletin provides technical, diagnostic and/or repair-related information. Eligible and Covered Work/Repairs To submit a claim for the repair of a verified defect in materials or workmanship, please following the established and applicable warranty policy and procedures together with the using corresponding defect code and labor operations provided in the KSD2. |
| B621115 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Head-Up Display (HUD) Rattling Noises During Image Adjustment or While Driving. When operating the Head-Up Display (HUD) adjustment a noise can be heard from inside the dashboard behind the Instrument Cluster. While driving over rough roads something can be heard rattling inside the HUD. Internal HUD failure. |
| B650915 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. HU-H: Headunit Resets Intermittently or Permanently. The HU-H (Headunit-High) resets intermittently or permanently. ? The display is inoperative and there is no audio output ? Automatic system start-up after a couple of seconds CAUSE Software error in the HU-H |
| B640613 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. A/C Cooling: Intermittent Reduction of Air Flow. Customer may complain of reduced air flow when the air conditioning system is operated for an extended time, usually longer than 30 minutes. INFORMATION Possibility of reproducing this situation is improved by the following conditions ? High outside ambient temperature ? High humidity Note: It is very difficult to duplicate this issue. The fault may be reproduced under the following conditions: ? Air-conditioning system switched on ? Driving Experience switch NOT set to Eco Pro ? Slower fan speeds ? Temperature setting below 68°F (20°C) ? Trip duration at least 30 minutes ? Outside temperature above 68°F (20°C) NOTE: After parking the vehicle or switching off the air-conditioning system for at least 20 minutes, the symptom disappears (ice melts off evaporator and puddles under the car from the A/C drains.). Evaporator starts to freeze up due to the position of the evaporator temperature sensor. |
| B651715 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT. "Active Sound Design ASD inoperative after programming. After programming with ISTA/P V3.56.1 Active Sound Design (ASD) no longer provides simulated engine sounds A fault is stored in the ASD module. Fault Code 8053A5 ""ASD; invalid coding data for equalizing"" Invalid ASD coding data" |
| B612614 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN. "Horn(s) Fail to Work. While trying to activate the horn, one or both horns fail to work. One or more of the following fault codes can be stored in the FEM: ? ""8044A3 - Wiring, horn short circuit to earth"" ? ""8044A4 - Wiring, horn short circuit to positive"" ? ""8044A5 - Wiring, horn relay is defective or short circuit to positive"" Water has entered the horn and caused it to fail internally (shorted out)." |
| B610415 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN. Horn Blows when Unlocking Vehicle. The customer states that the vehicle horn sounds briefly when unlocking the vehicle or opening the door. In some cases, the washers spray briefly on the windshield. Front Electronics Module (FEM) software error |
| 120415 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. SUBJECT DME Internal and Valvetronic Faults Set at Cold Ambient Temperatures. The Service Engine Soon light (MIL) can be illuminated with the erroneous internal and Valvetronic faults stored in the DME. The MIL will only come on if the fault has been detected on two (or more) consecutive drive cycles. The following fault codes may be stored in the DME: E Seriesz 36AE - DME, internal fault, Valvetronic: Current implausible One or more of the following secondary faults may also be stored: z 2DE2 - Valvetronic, actuation, voltage phase: Line disconnection z 2DE3 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection z 2DE4 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection F Seriesz 1F0905 - DME, internal fault, Valvetronic: Current implausible One or more of the following secondary faults may also be stored: z 135B10 - Valvetronic, actuation, voltage phase: Line disconnection z 135B11 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection z 135B12 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection Engine performance and driving characteristics are not affected. DME software diagnostic sensitivity. |
| B611316 | 2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "KLE CHARGING FAULT 21E6E9. During the ISTA short test diagnosis, fault code 21E6E9 - ""Charging interruption"" is found stored in the KLE (Convenience Charging Electronics) module. There is no customer complaint related to charging system, or a warning check control message display. CAUSE An Erroneous fault 21E6E9 stored in the KLE after completion of AC charging session." |
| B840315 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. "HU-B: Bluetooth Connection Fails Sporadically. The Bluetooth system works intermittently. One or more of the following scenarios may occur: Bluetooth pairing is not possible - display shows ""Please wait"" Unable to select the check box to activate Bluetooth Device does not reconnect to the vehicle after a key cycle Audio interference noise is heard listening to iPod etc. When trying to access the user manual, the display shows ""Please wait"" Incorrect software installed in the HU-B (Headunit Basic)." |
| B610415 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. Horn Blows when Unlocking Vehicle. The customer states that the vehicle horn sounds briefly when unlocking the vehicle or opening the door. In some cases, the washers spray briefly on the windshield. Front Electronics Module (FEM) software error |
| B122114 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Engine Malfunction Warning Illuminated with FC 193208: Fuel Level Plausibility Stored in DME. The customer states that the engine malfunction warning lamp is illuminated, and while filling the fuel tank, the fuel gauge did not show the proper fill level. After the vehicle is driven a short distance, the fuel gauge will update to full. When diagnosed, the following fault is stored in the DME: ? FC 193208 Fuel level, plausibility: deviation between consumption and level change Please proceed to the Procedure section. Vehicles with option 610 (Head-Up Display) are not affected. Please follow the ISTA/D test plan for the applicable faults stored in the DME, including the one listed in this bulletin. CAUSE A software error in the instrument cluster causes the fuel gauge to incorrectly update while refilling. The error occurs when the vehicle is powered up after refilling. |
| B610314 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Check Control Messages Related to Battery Charge During Cold Ambient Temperatures. On cold days with an outside ambient temperature of less than 15°F, customers may notice a check control message related to the battery that is displayed on the instrument cluster and the control information display. Under these conditions, the vehicle starts. Various power management faults can occur. The check control message (ID 229) is caused by a heavily discharged battery. ? The check control message is triggered when the current state of charge (SoC) of the battery approaches the minimum SoC that is required to start the vehicle (start capability limit). ? In low outside ambient temperatures, the start capability limit of the vehicle is higher. Therefore it takes more energy from the battery to start a cold engine. ? Without the early warning of the check control message, the current state of charge would drop below the start capability limit and the vehicle would not start. ? The vehicle's intelligent power management system actively takes measures to increase the charge of the battery, such as increasing idle speed and reducing or shutting down certain electrical consumers. |
| B122114 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?SI B12 21 14May 2015 Engine Electrical SystemsTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 21 14 dated April 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Engine Malfunction Warning Illuminated with FC 193208: Fuel Level Plausibility Stored in DME. The customer states that the engine malfunction warning lamp is illuminated, and while filling the fuel tank, the fuel gauge did not show the proper fill level. After the vehicle is driven a short distance, the fuel gauge will update to full. When diagnosed, the following fault is stored in the DME: ? FC 193208 Fuel level, plausibility: deviation between consumption and level change Please proceed to the Procedure section. Vehicles with option 610 (Head-Up Display) are not affected. Please follow the ISTA/D test plan for the applicable faults stored in the DME, including the one listed in this bulletin. CAUSE A software error in the instrument cluster causes the fuel gauge to incorrectly update while refilling. The error occurs when the vehicle is powered up after refilling. |
| 610314 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. Check Control Messages Related to Battery Charge During Cold Ambient Temperatures. On cold days with an outside ambient temperature of less than 15°F, customers may notice a check control message related to the battery that is displayed on the instrument cluster and the control information display. Under these conditions, the vehicle starts. Various power management faults can be stored. When the outside temperatures drop below 46°F, the charging system is switch to full charge. CAUSE ? The check control message (ID 229) is caused by a heavily discharged battery. ? The check control message is triggered when the current state of charge (SoC) of the battery approaches the minimum SoC that is required to start the vehicle (start capability limit). ? In low outside ambient temperatures, the start capability limit of the vehicle is higher. Therefore it takes more energy from the battery to start a cold engine. ? Without the early warning of the check control message, the current state of charge would drop below the start capability limit and the vehicle would not start. ? The vehicle's intelligent power management system actively takes measures to increase the charge of the battery, such as increasing idle speed and reducing or shutting down certain electrical consumers. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.