BMW M3 recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 19 recalls and 372 owner complaints for the BMW M3 (model years 2000–2018, 2021–2023, 2025). The most reported problem area is power train (108 complaints), followed by air bags (88 complaints). The 2009 model year has the most recalls (5).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 45 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 5 | 82 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 5 | 54 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 5 | 40 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2008 (82), 2003 (54) and 2009 (45). Among model years at least two years old, the 2000 has the fewest complaints on file (0).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all BMW M3 model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 108 | 13 of 23 | |
| Air bags | 88 | 13 of 23 | |
| Engine | 60 | 11 of 23 | |
| Electrical system | 35 | 9 of 23 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 8 of 23 |
Latest 8 of 19 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V288000 | Apr 24, 2024 | Air bags: side/window | 2015 | 5,761 |
| 21V554000 | Jul 21, 2021 | Seat belts | 2021 | 21,537 |
| 21V298000 | Apr 28, 2021 | Seat belts: front, buckle assembly | 2021 | 12 |
| 21V062000 | Feb 10, 2021 | Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, hydraulic | 2021 | 893 |
| 20V018000 | Jan 15, 2020 | Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module | 2000–2006 | 292,948 |
| 20V017000 | Jan 15, 2020 | Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module | 2006–2013 | 59,965 |
| 19V472000 | Jun 19, 2019 | Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers | 2008–2012 | 16,641 |
| 18V713000 | Oct 11, 2018 | Power train: driveline, driveshaft | 2016–2017 | 2,661 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 14 complaints and a fire in 5 complaints; 11 people injured and 0 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.