BMW M3 problems and complaints, 2010 to 2013

59 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls across 3 model years, 2010 to 2013. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

59complaints
4recalls
3reported crashes
1reported fires
2reported injuries

Which BMW M3 years should you avoid?

We cover 3 model years of the BMW M3, too few to say which stand out.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2013	13	2	2	2	Few red flags	Airbags
2011	31	4	0	0	Few red flags	Engine
2010	15	4	1	0	Few red flags	Airbags

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 46 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain23 (50%)
Airbags & seat belts14 (30%)
Electrical & infotainment5 (11%)
Structure & body2 (4%)
Steering, suspension & tires1 (2%)

Recalls (4)

Airbags · 20V017000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 19V472000 · Jun 2019 · model years 2010, 2011
A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V676000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2010, 2011
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Airbags · 16V071000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2013
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.