BMW M3 recalls & problems by year
The BMW M3 has 26 NHTSA recalls and 444 owner complaints across model years 1988–2025. The most complained-about year is the 2008 with 82 complaints.
Model years
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 M3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 M3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 M3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 M3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 M3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2017 M3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016 M3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 M3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013 M3 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2012 M3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 M3 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010 M3 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009 M3 | 5 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008 M3 | 5 | 82 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2007 M3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006 M3 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 M3 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2004 M3 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2003 M3 | 5 | 54 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2002 M3 | 5 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2001 M3 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 M3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1999 M3 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1998 M3 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1997 M3 | 2 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1996 M3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1995 M3 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1994 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1993 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1992 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1991 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1990 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1989 M3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1988 M3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most reported BMW M3 problems (all years)
BMW M3 recalls
| Recall | Component | Model years | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V288000 Apr 24, 2024 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 2014–2015 | 5,761 |
| 23V118000 Feb 23, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE | 2023 | 120 |
| 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 |
| 20V017000 Jan 15, 2020 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2006–2013 | 59,965 |
| 20V018000 Jan 15, 2020 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2000–2006 | 292,948 |
| 19V472000 Jun 19, 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES | 2008–2012 | 16,641 |
| 18V713000 Oct 11, 2018 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 2016–2017 | 2,661 |
| 14V428000 Jun 11, 2018 | AIR BAGS | 2001–2006 | 574,007 |
| 17V676000 Oct 25, 2017 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2006–2011 | 702,965 |
| 17V047000 Jan 20, 2017 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2000–2002 | 230,117 |
| 16V653000 Sep 9, 2016 | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2015–2017 | 196 |
| 16V071000 Feb 5, 2016 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2007–2013 | 840,000 |
| 15V782000 Nov 23, 2015 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 2015–2016 | 42 |
| 15V318000 May 28, 2015 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2002–2006 | 419,235 |
| 13V172000 May 2, 2013 | AIR BAGS | 2002–2003 | 43,204 |
| 08V595000 Nov 14, 2008 | POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 2008–2009 | 2,500 |
| 03V160000 Apr 29, 2003 | VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 2003 | 13,100 |
| 01V245000 Jul 31, 2001 | PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE | 2001 | 2,438 |
| 99V063001 Nov 15, 1999 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1997–1999 | 16,749 |
| 98V178000 Aug 4, 1998 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1992–1995 | 340,000 |
| 97V131000 Aug 19, 1997 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1995–1997 | 410,000 |
| 96V111000 Jul 1, 1996 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 1995 | 180,000 |
| 94V151000 Aug 10, 1994 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1995 | 57,000 |
| 93V015000 Feb 1, 1993 | VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 1988–1991 | 375,000 |