Major Problems with BMW M3 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used BMW M3 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for BMW M3

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of BMW M3.

Model Year	Complaints
2018 M3	2
2016 M3	5
2015 M3	1
2013 M3	10
2012 M3	6
2011 M3	26
2010 M3	14
2009 M3	43
2008 M3	78
2006 M3	13
2005 M3	12
2004 M3	29
2003 M3	52
2002 M3	36
2001 M3	14
1999 M3	11

Worst 3 BMW M3 complaints

2004 BMW M3 TIRES Victims: 1 Mileage: 60800 miles

2008 BMW M3 STEERING Victims: 1 Mileage: 45800 miles

2008 BMW M3 AIR BAGS Victims: 1 Mileage: 65000 miles

Browse BMW M3 complaints by category

Problems with AIR BAGS, ENGINE and AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from BMW M3 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AIR BAGS takata recall airbag bmw told me not to drive car to park it and they want to give me rental....	84 ~ 26536 miles
ENGINE crank hub spun timing sprocket causing valves to impact piston and catastrophic engine failure. quoted more than $10k out of...	58 ~ 59897 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN my 09 bmw m3 with dct is exhibiting gear shifting slowness and power lagging problems after hard braking. the most...	55 ~ 10218 miles
POWER TRAIN takata recall. reasonable time has passed since the airbag recall. but i have not heard as to when this safety...	36 ~ 44243 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when i accelerate quickly at an intersection when i get a green light the engine looses all power but keeps...	22 ~ 39298 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN hello. i have a 2009 bmw m3 with the dct transmission. i am experiencing significant delays when down shifting from...	14 ~ 25951 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING upon slowing down then attempting to resume power the electronic throttle lags for several seconds . when turning left across...	12 ~ 17077 miles
SUSPENSION had my car inspected by a mechanic and he noticed a tear in the subframe near the rear drivers side....	11 ~ 107118 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the problem occurs when you slow down- like for a turn but do not come to a complete stop. the...	10 ~ 59207 miles
VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw m3. while driving at 55 mph the air conditioner stopped functioning and the...	9 ~ 61278 miles
TIRES this letter is in reference to two michelin pilot sport a/s 3+ 255/35zr19 96y tires which both failed within 1...	9 ~ 119700 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER bmw m3 experiencing sos failure. consumer states that the sos failure warning and radio did not work. she states that...	9 ~ 48479 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE had my car inspected by a mechanic and he noticed a tear in the subframe near the rear drivers side....	8 ~ 107818 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING the oem wiring insulation in the headlight housing has flaked off. the bare wires caused an electrical short when i...	7 ~ 66092 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING we were driving our 2009 bmw 335i on fwy 5 south at about 65 mph the check engine warning indicator...	7 ~ 47994 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING as an owner of this vehicle i am concerned by the safety reliability and resale value issues raised by over	7
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE i inspected the trunk floorpan and noticed buckling cracking of the trunk floor and welded seams coming apart. the rear...	5 ~ 99472 miles
STRUCTURE i was driving on a side road at the allotted speed limit. i was on a single lane road. i...	5 ~ 50062 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE loss of power on highway and engine misfire/stutter. *tr...	5 ~ 3144 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL the car suddenly vibrated and the wheels locked up and skidded slightly sideways before going into a reduced power mode....	4 ~ 67550 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION rear vehicle subframe beginning to separate from chassis. sheet metal directly above subframe mounting point peeling away from rest of...	4 ~ 34526 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when braking hard and downshifting smg seems to be confused as to what gear you want. happens mostly when downshifting	4 ~ 19250 miles
WHEELS my 2003 bmw m3 has cracked wheel which causes tire to go flat which is a very bg safety hazard.	4 ~ 72133 miles
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY rearview mirror leaked electrochromic fluid all over console and seats badly damaging them. will need to replace mirror and damaged	4 ~ 49496 miles
SERVICE BRAKES the car suddenly vibrated and the wheels locked up and skidded slightly sideways before going into a reduced power mode....	3 ~ 65000 miles
STEERING incident 1 i was making a left turn after the signal and entering into the freeway at 25 mph and...	3 ~ 46933 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS tl*the contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. while driving 65 mph the driver's side air bag deployed without a crash...	3 ~ 24000 miles
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN in the 2009 bmw m3 sedan with dct (dual clutch) transmission there is a significant lag or hesitation of at...	3 ~ 342 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY my windshield easily gets rock chips and dents. it appears that any rocks/pebbles that hit the windshield result in a...	3 ~ 565 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT consumer noticed fumes coming from air conditioner a/c vents while traveling from 65-70 mph. vehicle has been repaired five times	3
SIDEWALL > TIRES this letter is in reference to two michelin pilot sport a/s 3+ 255/35zr19 96y tires which both failed within 1...	2 ~ 91301 miles
SEATS error message: fault in - passenger restrain system affecting airbag belt tensioner or belt force limiter. this is caused by	2 ~ 29100 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM when i accelerate quickly at an intersection when i get a green light the engine looses all power but keeps...	2 ~ 42500 miles
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw m3. the contact stated that the convertible top failed to work. the vehicle...	2 ~ 9250 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw m3. the contact stated that the doors failed to unlock the vehicle failed...	2 ~ 85500 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE i was driving on a side road at the allotted speed limit. i was on a single lane road. i...	2 ~ 44000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS dt: drivers side door air bag deployed while driving for no reason. there was no accendent no pot hole and...	2 ~ 37500 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC sept 00 abs dash light on took to dealer for repair parts ordered continued to drive with light on repaired...	2
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	2
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i own a 1996 bmw m3. four times since it was new the fuel gauge has failed and each time...	2
DRIVESHAFT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN my car exhibits a loud clunking in the rear of the car when shifting going on/off gas and from releasing...	2
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw m3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system) however...	1
CONNECTING > RELAY > ROD tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw m3. while driving at 60 mph the contact heard a sudden knocking sound...	1
RIM > WHEELS i was driving my car on lake shore drive and i hit a pot hole near lawrence ave. i ended...	1 ~ 60800 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw m3. the contact stated that the doors failed to unlock the vehicle failed...	1 ~ 16000 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER got into my car in the afternoon and noticed the rear view mirror was distorted. after inspecting realized that...	1 ~ 83488 miles
SEAT BELTS my car was in a collision where the driver of car 1 was making a turn into the main street...	1 ~ 99647 miles
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY 2004 bmw m3 auto dimming rearview mirror mirror leaked caustic/corrosive unknown liquid onto passenger seat and center console liquid was...	1 ~ 25340 miles
INTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. the contact stated that the rearview mirror contained a liquid used to tint...	1 ~ 29080 miles
EQUIPMENT i have the dct transmission with my 2008 bmw m3 and the lag is very unsafe. dealer saying no fix	1 ~ 5000 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN m3 with dct automated manual transmission will not shift when at lower speeds going around corners. there is a long...	1 ~ 1200 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE on saturday july 26th i drove a short distance from my home (after a long cranking start) and the car...	1 ~ 4000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl*the contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. the ignition was turned off. the contact attempted to exit the vehicle. however...	1 ~ 6000 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS i owed this 1995 bmw m3 since new and abs and airbag light comes on very frequently. abs: need to	1 ~ 175000 miles
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i owed this 1995 bmw m3 since new and abs and airbag light comes on very frequently. abs: need to	1 ~ 175000 miles
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES months after the purchase of the vehicle the tire indicator light (to indicate a flat tire has been spontaneously coming...	1
SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while applied the brakes the brake light failed to come on. the driver has placed refuses on more than one...	1
MOTOR > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY dt: when pulling into a stop the windshield wipers will slow down in the speed that they work. they will...	1
LOCK > TRUNK LID > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2004 bmw m3 convertible. i was on my way home and decided to put the top down. i have owned...	1 ~ 6430 miles
REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2004 bmw m3 convertible. i was on my way home and decided to put the top down. i have owned...	1 ~ 6430 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING steering wheel locked up. consumer was unable to move the steering wheel. when this happened it tightened to the point...	1 ~ 23000 miles
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER the fuel gauge reads empty when tank is full. after investigating loud noises from the trunk area i discovered that...	1 ~ 3200 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING while driving at 55mph and with no warning vehicle was sideswiped resulting in a rollover. dealer will be notified.*ak...	1
HOOD > BODY > STRUCTURE hood sensor will indicate that hood is close even though it is still open. consumer is able to drive away.	1
BUMPERS > BODY > STRUCTURE while driving at 30 mph passenger's rear tire locked up and consumer heard a loud grinding noise when driving there...	1
LINKAGE AND CABLE > MECHANICAL > CONVENTIONAL while driving at 30 mph passenger's rear tire locked up and consumer heard a loud grinding noise when driving there...	1
TREAD/BELT > TIRES while driving 70mph the vehicle's left rear tire started to deflate due to puncture and the tread separating from the...	1
SHOCK ABSORBER > REAR > SUSPENSION rear shock mount tower tore from body of car bolts and all. no modification done to suspension normal driving no...	1
SPRINGS > REAR > SUSPENSION bottom of drivers side coil spring failed - broke completely and rattling around in lower support. could not identify rattle...	1
FRONT > SUSPENSION the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	1
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	1
GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	1
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	1
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	1
FLUID > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop the vehicle...	1
BEAD > TIRES consumers purchased a new set of bridgestone potenza tires (25540r17 dot ej0xjea030) several hours later one of the new tires...	1
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE fuel hose clamps fittings and components failing - manufacturer issued a 95-97 model recall in japan but not in the	1
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while driving in downtown traffic went around vehicle and at that point the throttle was stuck wide open . vehicle...	1
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY rear window: driving down highway and the rear window completely shattered. cause unknown has not been repaired. *ak...	1
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING safety recall 98v-178 regarding the 1995 bmw m3. the vehicle has been service eleven times for repairs and maintenance for...	1 ~ 1845 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING crankcase revolution sensor failed. mjs...	1
ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT > WINDSHIELD > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM loss of fan and unit control settings when vehicle is turned off then restarted. setting will not remain in off	1
INJECTORS > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE consumer would like to know about recalls for a 2003 bmw. he states that he has tried to contact bmw...	1

FAQ

What year BMW M3 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 16 years, BMW M3 models of 2015, 2018, 2016 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for BMW M3?

BMW M3 models of 2008 and 2003 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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