2015 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Engine (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 (3)
Air Bags:side/Window 2024-04-24 · campaign 24V288000 · 5,761 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Structure:frame And Members 2016-09-09 · campaign 16V653000 · 196 vehicles
Defect: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
Risk: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2015-11-23 · campaign 15V782000 · 42 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
Risk: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (205)
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.
Suspension 2024-01-09 · B310124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
with the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking and orclicking type noise when turning the steering wheel left/right. see attached video v31 01 24. the sound can reoccur when the vehicle is lowered, and the wheels are once again under load. t
Steering 2024-01-08 · B360121 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
at low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees f) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. this can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the vide
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-
Electrical System 2023-05-01 · B651523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
after programming the head unit (hu-h2), activating the fsc (german word freischaltcode) enabling codes repeatedly fails.
Structure:body:tailgate 2023-05-01 · B514616 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
Showing the 6 most recent of 205 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-05-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“gas tank has a significant leak. this allows for the opportunity to ignite the car putting all persons lives in danger, and effects emissions. problem has been confirmed by independent indy shop technician…”
2022-05-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel tank top weld has failed, and is actively leaking fuel. this is likely to cause ignition of the vehicle during use and poses a threat to the lives of passengers and other drivers on the road as well as emissions failure. the failed weld was confirmed by independent bmw technician. this part is a known failure point, and emission extended warr…”
2020-07-28 · Unknown Or Other“rear view camera stopped working, screen displays "no signal". fuse did not blow.…”
2019-12-18 · Engine · 95,000 mi“crank hub spun timing sprocket causing valves to impact piston and catastrophic engine failure. quoted more than $10k out of pocket to repair. this is caused due to poor crank hub design. car companies have been using keyed crankhubs for generations but bmw decided to not used a keyed hub.. this is very negligent considering how many of these vehic…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.