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2013 BMW M3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2013 BMW M3, and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
13
owner complaints to NHTSA
2 / 0
complaints citing a crash / fire
14–17
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2013 BMW M3

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 20V017000 Reported 59,965 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

    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…

  2. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 16V071000 Reported 840,000 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

    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…

13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2013 BMW M3 have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 31,754 miles. Complaints peaked in 2017 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The contact filed the complaint on behalf of her son who owned a 2013 BMW M3. The contact stated the vehicle was parked in a school parking lot, and the contact's son was sitting in the driver's seat”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 23, 2024 · Air bags

“There is a burning smell when i run my a/c. I took it to mechanic and they stated it's an issue with the blower motor wiring, which is covered under recall. But i checked the recall notice and it only”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 12, 2021 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2013 BMW M (M3 Convertible, M3 Coupe, M5, M6 Convertible, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined14–17 mpg
City / Highway12–15 / 17–22
FuelPremium
EPA classCompact Cars, Midsize Cars, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Subcompact Cars
Engine8 cyl, 4/4.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7); Automatic (S6); Manual 6-spd

Compare BMW M3 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every BMW M3 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1988 BMW M312
1989 BMW M310
1990 BMW M310
1991 BMW M310
1992 BMW M310
1993 BMW M310
1994 BMW M310
1995 BMW M3412
1996 BMW M311
1997 BMW M3219
1998 BMW M3114
1999 BMW M3111
2000 BMW M320
2001 BMW M3414
2002 BMW M3540
2003 BMW M3554
2004 BMW M3331
2005 BMW M3312
2006 BMW M3514
2007 BMW M330
2008 BMW M3582
2009 BMW M3545
2010 BMW M3415
2011 BMW M3431
2012 BMW M336
2013 BMW M3213
2014 BMW M310
2015 BMW M334
2016 BMW M335
2017 BMW M323
2018 BMW M309
2021 BMW M333
2022 BMW M301
2023 BMW M311
2025 BMW M302

Checking a specific 2013 BMW M3

How do I know if my 2013 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 2013 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

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.