2011 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (13) · Air Bags (6) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw M3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
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 (110)
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.
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.
Power Train 2020-04-01 · B110208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
power reduction fc2a82 intake vanos and/or fc2 a87 exhaust vanos camshaft fault: the "service engine soon" (mil) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. this situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. if the ignition is cycled
Engine 2019-12-01 · B130619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action: n54t engine - inspect and replace injector(s). the piezo-type fuel injectors may cause a rough running at start-up or rough running while at idle.
Showing the 6 most recent of 110 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-09-05 · Engine“starting from a traffic light at woodlands parkway and gosling road in the woodlands, tx - vehicle accelerated normally during shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. when shifting from 2nd to 3rd - engine rpm went to zero and vehicle suddenly lost all power and died. there was a large ford f150 behind the car. thankfully, i was watching the tachometer and…”
2022-10-13 · Service Brakes“when i put the battery terminals after swapping a new battery, my frm got damaged. no brake or head lights are working, no turn signals, no windows moving etc. it's a safety issue on the road …”
2021-01-29 · Power Train · 52,000 mi“i was driving on the freeway accelerating when i hit approximately 75 mph my car was making a loud revving sound and metal clanking sound in middle and smoke was coming from the front and back of the vehicle very thick white smoke all of a sudden my car slowed down and all the lights were blinking on the dash almost got into accidents while cars av…”
2020-09-15 · Air Bags · 65,699 mi“between 11/04/16 and 11/08/16 i left my vehicle with reeves bmw dealership in tampa, fl for the takata airbag recall which they told me they completed. i continued to get warning letters from the nhtsa for this recall and recently i brought my car to a different bmw dealership which told me the reeves bmw dealership reported they completed the wor…”
2020-04-29 · Steering · 73,800 mi“while driving my vehicle, the engine suddenly shut off, and the transmission went into neutral. i immediately turned the car back on, and pulled to a stop sign. i gave my car a few revs just to make sure everything was fine. everything seemed to check out, so i continue driving. while driving about 40mph and straight, the car shuts off again, and t…”
2019-10-20 · Engine · 107,000 mi“i was driving casually when the motor suddenly shut off. no noise indicating engine failure ever happened. i coasted off the road and tried to restart. nothing but a click. eventually tried replacing starter motor but that didn't work. no engine lights or codes ever popped up. turns out engine seized due to failed rod bearings.…”
2019-10-20 · Electrical System“i did some research it looks my car has the positive battery cable recall not done it's major safety issue!! up on further information cars build from date 2008-2012 my vehicle production date is from september 2010. i still haven't received my recall later please solve issue as soon as possible thanks.…”
2019-07-26 · Engine · 80,000 mi“two weeks ago, when the car was driving normally, it suddenly shut down and could no longer start. when automotive engineers took the engine apart, they found that the crankshaft and rod bearing bush were over-worn and burnt out. the engineer told me that the oil i used was too sticky to lubricate the rod bearing. i changed the engine oil 8,000 mil…”
2019-06-08 · Engine · 43,300 mi“while shifting into 3rd gear, my engine threw a rod through the block, car has not been modified, has 43,300 original miles, original owner.…”
2018-12-04 · Electrical System“tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw m3. the contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system) was received in november of 2017. after contacting the dealer (bmw of hudson valley, 2068 south rd, poughkeepsie, ny) and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed to remedy the defect would n…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.