2010 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (8) · Engine (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw M3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers 2019-06-19 · campaign 19V472000 · 16,641 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Electrical System:wiring 2017-10-25 · campaign 17V676000 · 702,965 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: 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 available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
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.
Service bulletins (132)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2023-10-13 · B340714 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. cause material-
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Electrical System 2022-03-01 · B610322 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the footwell module (frm) cannot be encoded after replacement.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Showing the 6 most recent of 132 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-07-20 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“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, grab my wallet, and come back. the car stayed in neutral instead of shifting into park which should have happened but multiple components of the car f…”
2017-12-12 · Air Bags“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 that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer (bmw of dallas, 6200 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75209 (972) 763-…”
2017-11-13 · Engine · 69,024 mi“hey my name is [xxx] , i just recently purchase a used bmw m3 from a bmw dealership on 06/11/17. after a few months of using the car my motor gave a rod knock which is a common known problem according to the database. i really need help with this situation. this happened to be on the way from florida which was 500 miles from my house. informatio…”
2017-07-28 · Air Bags“takata recall. manufacturer still delaying remedy for my vehicle. (it's been a year and a half since the recall) i'm driving the car with life threatening risk everyday in fear. please enforce replacement remedy asap.…”
2017-06-30 · Engine · 63,000 mi“rod bearings failed due to a manufacturer defect. many bmw m3's suffer this issue because if the tightness of the engine which leads to oil starvation and metal shavings begin to destroy the engine. the vehicle was in motion, after sitting for a few hours, i start the car to discover a ticking noise in the engine. upon checking the oil, i have foun…”
2017-06-21 · Exterior Lighting · 54,000 mi“the oem wiring insulation in the headlight housing has flaked off. the bare wires caused an electrical short when i replaced a light bulb. bmw says that the only repair is to replace the entire housing for $2100. this will need to be done on the other side eventually, as the insulation is deteriorating in that housing as well. i have read onlin…”
2016-11-15 · Air Bags“takata recall. i received a letter from bmwna in march 2016. more than 6 months later, the parts is still not available from takata for recall when i call the bmw dealership, i am told i will receive another letter from bmwna when the parts is available. i am very concern about my safety.…”
2016-09-27 · Air Bags · 22,400 mi“takata recall bmw notified us in march 2016 that it was doing a recall. since then they have not contacted us. i sent them and email today and got an automated response saying, in essence, they would get to it some time in the future. given the danger and risk involved a six month (and probably much longer) wait for a repair is unreasonable and…”
2016-09-21 · Air Bags“takata recall want to record and link my vin to me vin: [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr…”
2016-09-19 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2010 bmw m3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a fail…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.