BMW M3 recalls and problems
20 recalls and 385 owner complaints for 21 model years. Pick your year for full details.
Recalls
20
Complaints
385
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
6
Choose a model year
BMW M3 by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 M3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 M3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 M3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 M3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 M3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 M3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 M3 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 M3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 M3 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 M3 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 M3 | 5 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 M3 | 5 | 82 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2007 M3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 M3 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 M3 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 M3 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003 M3 | 5 | 54 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 M3 | 5 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 M3 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 M3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most reported BMW M3 problems
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 115 | |
| Air Bags | 88 | |
| Engine | 62 | |
| Electrical System | 35 | |
| Structure | 25 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 23 | |
| Visibility | 16 | |
| Suspension | 15 | |
| Unknown or Other | 12 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
All BMW M3 recalls
| Recall | Date | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V-288 | Apr 24, 2024 | 2014–2015 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe… |
| 23V-118 | Feb 23, 2023 | 2023 | Electrical System | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and… |
| 21V-554 | Jul 21, 2021 | 2021 | Seat Belts | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4… |
| 21V-298 | Apr 28, 2021 | 2021 | Seat Belts | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. |
| 21V-062 | Feb 10, 2021 | 2021 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6… |
| 20V-017 | Jan 15, 2020 | 2006–2013 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… |
| 20V-018 | Jan 15, 2020 | 2000–2006 | Do not driveAir Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3… |
| 19V-472 | Jun 19, 2019 | 2008–2012 | Electrical System | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. |
| 18V-713 | Oct 11, 2018 | 2016–2017 | Power Train | 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. |
| 14V-428 | Jun 11, 2018 | 2001–2006 | Do not driveAir Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons… |
| 17V-676 | Oct 25, 2017 | 2006–2011 | Electrical System | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. |
| 17V-047 | Jan 20, 2017 | 2000–2002 | Do not driveAir Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT… |
| 16V-653 | Sep 9, 2016 | 2015–2017 | Structure | 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. |
| 16V-071 | Feb 5, 2016 | 2007–2013 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i… |
| 15V-782 | Nov 23, 2015 | 2015–2016 | Power Train | 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… |
| 15V-318 | May 28, 2015 | 2002–2006 | Do not driveAir Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes… |
| 13V-172 | May 2, 2013 | 2002–2003 | Do not driveAir Bags | BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the… |
| 08V-595 | Nov 14, 2008 | 2008–2009 | Power Train | Bmw is recalling 2,500 my 2008-2009 m3 passenger vehicles with an optional double clutch transmission. |
| 03V-160 | Apr 29, 2003 | 2003 | Visibility | On certain passenger vehicles, the window lifting anti-pinching device might not function properly. |
| 01V-245 | Jul 31, 2001 | 2001 | Parking Brake | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the worst year for the BMW M3?
By owner complaints to NHTSA, the 2008 BMW M3 has the most reports (82). Check the 2008 page for the problems owners describe.
How many recalls does the BMW M3 have?
NHTSA lists 20 safety recalls covering BMW M3 model years 2000–2017, 2021, 2023.
What are the most common BMW M3 problems?
Owners report power train, air bags, engine problems most often.