Does the 2013 BMW M3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 BMW M3, the most recent reported on January 15, 2020 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW M3?

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (7 complaints), followed by engine (4).

How many 2013 BMW M3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 13 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2013 BMW M3 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW M3.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 BMW M3 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC · 59,965 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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 contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V071000 · reported February 5, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC · 840,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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 at 1-800-525-7417.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags7
Engine4
Power train3
Electrical system2
Fuel/propulsion system1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 23, 2024 · Air bags · 88,838 miles · crash reported
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 of the vehicle when the vehicle was crashed into violently by four vehicles. The vehicle was damaged in the front end…

May 12, 2021 · Electrical system · 49,000 miles
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 COVERS MY VEHICLE UP TO 2011, BUT MINE IS A 2013. HOWEVER, THE BLOWER MOTOR PARTS IN MY CAR ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS…

Jun 22, 2020 · Power train · 55,000 miles
I INITIALLY EXPERIENCED ABRUPT CATASTROPHIC CLUTCH FAILURE THIS PAST DECEMBER 2019 WHEN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND IT FAILED TO RELEASE LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD IN 2ND GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR A STOP AND THEN PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE…

Dec 14, 2018 · Air bags · 18,000 miles · crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM WAS STRUCK BY THE AIR BAGS AND WAS INJURED BY METAL FRAGMENTS. MEDICAL ATTENTION…

Oct 3, 2017 · Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (JACKY COOPER IN EDMOND, OK) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL…

M3 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2010	4	15	1	0
2011	4	31	0	1
2012	3	6	0	0
2013	2	13	2	0
2014	1	0	0	0
2015	3	4	0	0
2016	3	5	0	0

Across all years, the 2008 M3 has the most complaints (82). All BMW M3 years →

Questions

Does the 2013 BMW M3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 BMW M3, the most recent reported on January 15, 2020 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW M3?: Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (7 complaints), followed by engine (4).
How many 2013 BMW M3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 13 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 23, 2024.