BMW 3 Series Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 843 owner complaints across 22 model years of the BMW 3 Series (1986–2023). The most-complained-about year is 2006.
Pick your BMW 3 Series model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 21 |
| 2012 BMW 3 Series | 3 | 7 |
| 2011 BMW 3 Series | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 BMW 3 Series | 2 | 30 |
| 2009 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 53 |
| 2008 BMW 3 Series | 2 | 68 |
| 2007 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 115 |
| 2006 BMW 3 Series | 3 | 202 |
| 2005 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 25 |
| 2004 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 77 |
| 2003 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 73 |
| 2002 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 26 |
| 2001 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 36 |
| 2000 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 88 |
| 1999 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 6 |
| 1998 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 3 |
| 1997 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 5 |
| 1996 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 1995 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 3 |
| 1994 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 1986 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 1 |
What BMW 3 Series owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 843 complaints with NHTSA. The 2006 model year has the most, with 202.
All BMW 3 Series recalls (8)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a BMW 3 Series, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer…
Model years: 2023
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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners…
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Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i…
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…
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Inflator module (air bags)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Head restraint (seats)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2012 BMW 3-series vehicles manufactured from october 19, 2011, through march 18, 2012, that have front seat head restraints that exceed the downward movement limit of 25mm in the highest position. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will attach a clamp to the front seat head restraint posts, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 30, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at…
Model years: 2012
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Seat belts: front and air bags: frontal
BMW is recalling 2,350 my 2008 1-series and 3- series passenger cars. Incorrect crimp connectors may have been used on the side air bag and belt tensioner wiring. As a result sufficient contact between the crimp connectors and the corresponding plug may not occur which could lead to an increase in the electrical resistance of that…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2009. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services toll-free at 1-800-525-7417.
Model years: 2008
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Air bags: frontal
BMW is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head…
Remedy: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on november 6, 2008. BMW will also extend the warranty on these…
Model years: 2006
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Suspension: control arm
On certain vehicles, one of the suspension control arm and swivel bearing connection bolts was not tightened correctly. The bolted connection could loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the bolted connection and, if necessary, adjust the connection. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the suspension control arm and the swivel bearing. The recall began on november 21,…
Model years: 2006
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
- 335I810 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.