2010 BMW M3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2010 BMW M3, and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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4 safety recalls for the 2010 BMW M3
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Inflator module (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 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may…
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Cables (electrical system) and 2 other components
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. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This…
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Electrical system: wiring
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. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes…
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Inflator module (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 xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service…
15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2010 BMW M3 have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 50,571 miles. Complaints peaked in 2016 with 8 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Parked on a slight hill, shifted out of drive and applied the ebrake by pulling up firmly. Unbucked my seat belt, opened the door, and got out of the vehicle. Left the door open to go in my house, gra”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 20, 2023 · Service brakes
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 BMW m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated tha”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 12, 2017 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2010 BMW M (M3, M3 Convertible, M3 Coupe, M5, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 13–16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 11–14 / 17–20 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Midsize Cars, Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 8/10 cyl, 4/5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S7); Manual 6-spd |
Compare BMW M3 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW M3 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 BMW M3 | 1 | 2 |
| 1989 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 BMW M3 | 4 | 12 |
| 1996 BMW M3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1997 BMW M3 | 2 | 19 |
| 1998 BMW M3 | 1 | 14 |
| 1999 BMW M3 | 1 | 11 |
| 2000 BMW M3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 BMW M3 | 4 | 14 |
| 2002 BMW M3 | 5 | 40 |
| 2003 BMW M3 | 5 | 54 |
| 2004 BMW M3 | 3 | 31 |
| 2005 BMW M3 | 3 | 12 |
| 2006 BMW M3 | 5 | 14 |
| 2007 BMW M3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 BMW M3 | 5 | 82 |
| 2009 BMW M3 | 5 | 45 |
| 2010 BMW M3 | 4 | 15 |
| 2011 BMW M3 | 4 | 31 |
| 2012 BMW M3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2013 BMW M3 | 2 | 13 |
| 2014 BMW M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 BMW M3 | 3 | 4 |
| 2016 BMW M3 | 3 | 5 |
| 2017 BMW M3 | 2 | 3 |
| 2018 BMW M3 | 0 | 9 |
| 2021 BMW M3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 BMW M3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 BMW M3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 BMW M3 | 0 | 2 |
Checking a specific 2010 BMW M3
How do I know if my 2010 BMW M3 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2010 BMW M3; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 16V071000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 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.