2013 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (6) · Power Train (3) · Engine (2)
🧭 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 (2)
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.
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 (104)
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 104 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-09-23 · Air Bags · 88,838 mi · 💥 crash“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, passenger's side, and rear. th…”
2021-05-12 · Electrical System · 49,000 mi“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 the 2011, so i feel it should b…”
2020-06-22 · Power Train · 55,000 mi“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 road. the car was towed to mor…”
2018-12-14 · Air Bags · 18,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 was not received. a police repor…”
2017-10-03 · 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 remedy were still not available an…”
2017-08-29 · Air Bags“takata recall. i've have been trying to get my airbag replaced for over a year. the last time i called the dealer, they told me my car wasn't part of the recall. my vin shows on the recall list and i received notice from bmv to contact them. keeler motor car in latham ny is the dealer.…”
2017-06-22 · Power Train · 46,590 mi“while driving on surface street at approx 35mph i was forced to swerve due to being cut off by an adjacent wreckless vehicle. my 2013 bmw e93, with just over 43,000 miles, and which i had purchased less than 30 days prior, immediately shut down entirely without warning. i was literally left in the middle of a busy street with zero functionality. …”
2017-06-21 · Power Train · 7 mi“takata recall. reasonable time has passed since the airbag recall. but i have not heard as to when this safety issue will be resolved.every time i drive the car i feel i am risking my life or chance for serious injury. bmw has been completely negligent with regards to resolving this issue. bmw should temporarily remedy the situation by replacing th…”
2017-01-26 · Engine · 28,000 mi“rod bearings. there is clicking noise that i am hearing more and more often. since summer of last year, i had heard subtle clicking noises occasionally which i wasn't able to locate at the time and had scheduled an appointment with the service department at park ave bmw service on october 2016 to get my car checked for few reasons. one of the reas…”
2016-09-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 20,000 mi“when i accelerate quickly at an intersection when i get a green light, the engine looses all power but keeps running. bmw has no idea as no codes are being saved when this happens. the general manager said it probably computer part but we may never know.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.