2011 BMW M3

Routine

Owners filed 31 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine14
000
Air Bags6
000
Electrical System5
010
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars2
000
Service Brakes2
000
Power Train2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V017000
Filed Jan 15, 202059,965 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. 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 Breakers19V472000
Filed Jun 19, 201916,641 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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 › Wiring17V676000
Filed Oct 25, 2017702,965 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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 Module16V071000
Filed Feb 5, 2016840,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 5, 2023TX

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 coasted to the shoulder before attempting to shift back to 2 and try a rolling start at which point vehicle came to an abrupt and sudden stop. Car was towed to an approved mechanic and was diagnosed as "another seized S65" engine. OPINION of Expert engine builders and bearing manufacturers is that the original BMW S65 bearing dimensions result in inadequate journal clearance and has been thoroughly documented. This, coupled with any potential "tolerance stacking" (- clearance) can result in a final bearing clearance which is significantly tighter than ideal and is the reason why we have seen engines fail after only a few thousand miles. This was half a second or less from being a fatal accident.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2022NJ

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

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 202152,000 milesCA

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 AVOID HITTING! MY CAR WASN'T GOING OVER 5 10 MPH THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE WAS GETTING WORRIED,SOME HOW I MANAGED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND PARKED I WAS TOLD MY ENGLISH WAS BLOWN! MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE ONLY DROVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES NIGHTMARE 2011 BMW M3

Air Bags
Filed Sep 15, 202065,699 milesFL

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 WORK AND MY AIRBAG COULD NOT BE CHANGED UNDER THE RECALL. I TOOK MY AIRBAG OFF THE STEERING COLUMN AND PHOTOGRAPHED THE LABEL ON THE BACK WHICH SHOWS THE AIRBAG INSTALLED IN MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN MAY 2010 WHICH IS PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BATCH AND WAS PRIOR TO THE ASSEMBLY OF MY CAR AT THE FACTORY. I AM VERY ANGRY THIS RECALL WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED BY REEVES BMW DEALERSHIP AS I WAS TOLD AND THAT I HAVE BEEN PLACED AT UNNECESSARY RISK FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED SO THAT I AM NO LONGER AT RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY AS BMW APPARENTLY HAS MY VEHICLE INCORRECTLY MARKED OFF AS RECALL COMPLETED AND WILL NOT COMPLETE THE RECALL WORK. I'VE ATTACHED AN IMAGE OF THE LABEL ON THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR AND THE PAPERWORK FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS NOT DONE. THANK YOU FOR THE HELP.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 29, 202073,800 milesAE

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 THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THANKFULLY I MANAGE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT'S BECOME APPARENT THIS VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY KNOWN TO DO THIS. ROD BEARINGS AND MAIN BEARINGS HAVE CAUSED THESE MOTORS TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING, AND BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE FROM THIS ISSUE, BUT IT'S SAD ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS DOLLARS AND CENTS.

Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2019107,000 milesNY

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.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 20, 2019CA

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.

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 201980,000 milesCA

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 MILES AGO, USING THE 10W-60 OIL SUPPLIED BY BMW.

Engine
Filed Jun 8, 201943,300 milesKY

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.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 4, 2018NY

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 NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL OF 2019. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 201860,000 milesIL

O2 SENSORS CONSTANTLY GO OUT REPLACED 3 TIMES, THROTTLE BODY ACUTATORS CONSTANTLY GO BAD PUTTING CAR IN LIMP MODE VERY DANGEROUS MY CAR CUT OFF AT 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS WITH MY FAMILY!!! SOMETHING BAD COULD OF HAPPENED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BMW M3 2008-2013 PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. ROD BEARINGS GO BAD ASWELL

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 20, 201838,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC ENTERED THE CABIN. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE FUSES TO THE AIR CONDITIONER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. REEVES IMPORT MOTORCARS DEALER LOCATED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. *TT *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 8, 201842,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING MY LOW MILAGE 2011 BMW M3 (42K MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY, OUT OF NO WHERE, I NOTICED THE CAR DRIVING A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY AND SLIGHTLY SHAKING. THIS HAPPENED MOMENTS BEFORE I REACHED MY EXIT. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION RIGHT OFF THE EXIT AND OPENED THE HOOD, THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A TINGING/SCRAPING NOISE WITH EACH REVOLUTION. I CLOSED IT UP, AND DROVE TO MY HOME WHICH WAS A COUPLE MINUTES AWAY. WHILE DRIVING, THE NOISE WAS HAPPENING MORE IN LOWER GEARS. WHEN I GOT HOME, I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAW IT WAS LEAKING OIL, AND STILL MAKING THE NOISE. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, I LEARNED THE ROD BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE HAD FAILED, RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED BMW STORE AT 38K MILES IN MAY OF 2017, I ALWAYS SERVICED IT AT MY LOCAL BMW STORE - THIS OCCURRED FEBRUARY 3RD, 2018. AFTER READING UP, I AM LEARNING THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE S65 ENGINES THAT ARE IN THIS MODEL OF M3'S. BMW HAS YET TO MAKE A RECALL, BUT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ENGINE (IT COSTS 30 SOMETHING THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHICH IS ALMOST AS MUCH AS I PAID FOR THE CAR), AND THE ENGINE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I FEEL WRONGED BY BMW, AND ADVISE THE NHTSA TO URGE BMW TO RECALL THIS ENGINE TO SAVE FUTURE CUSTOMERS FROM CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 5, 2017CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE STEVENS CREEKS BMW (4343 STEVENS CREEK BLVD ST CLARA CA 95051 800-298-1501) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Nov 21, 201763,850 milesNH

AT 63,860 MILE THE S65 ENGINE IN MY 2011 BMW M3 FAILED. DEALER DIAGNOSED ENGINE BEARING FAILURE. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.

Engine
Filed Nov 17, 201746,000 milesCT

ENGINE KNOCKING. CONNECTING ROD BEARING AND MAIN BEARING FAILURE RESULTING IN REQUIRED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ENGINE NOT ABLE TO BE REBUILT DUE TO CRACKED MAIN BEARING SADDLES.

Air Bags
Filed May 10, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL - THIS RECALL HAS BEEN ACTIVE NOW FOR OVER A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS WITH NO REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE TRIED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND NEITHER OF THEM HAVE A PART AVAILABLE TO FIX. WHAT IS THE HOLDUP?

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2017OK

ROD BEARING FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 17, 201769,000 milesCA

THE CAR WAS PARKED AT A FLAT SPACE PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE VEHICLE USING A FOB KEY, THE ALARM STARTED TO GO OFF. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN USING A KEY BLADE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY, HOWEVER ALL SYSTEM WAS DEAD. I HAVE REPLACED THE FOB KEY BATTERY, CHECKED THE BATTERY STATUS, AND RAN THE ERROR CODE SYSTEM, BUT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SIMILAR MODELS (BMW 3 SERIES) FOR A FUSE BOX - BATTERY CONNECTION ISSUE. AND GIVING A GOOD PRESS TOWARDS THE FUSE BOX LOCATED IN THE GLOVE-BOX DID FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, HOWEVER THE ISSUE HAS KEPT HAPPENING SINCE THEN. 3 SERIES MANUFACTURED MARCH 2007 THROUGH JULY 2011 HAVE BEEN RECALLED DURING THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V044000. MY MODEL, M3, USES THE SAME DESIGN AND SAME PARTS AS 328I AND 335I FOR THE FUSE BOX AND BATTERY CONNECTION, AND THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES NOT JUST TO ME BUT TO OTHER M3 MODELS, BUT THIS MODEL FOR SOME REASON HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED THE PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 5, 2016TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20 of 31 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20252000Routine
20231100Routine
20221000Routine
20213300Routine
20189010Routine
20173200Routine
20165300Routine
20154300Routine
20140100Routine
201313200Routine
20126300Routine
2011 — this page31410Routine
201015400Routine
200945500Routine
200882520Routine
20070300Routine
200614500Do not drive
200512300Do not drive
200431300Do not drive
200354510Do not drive
200240510Do not drive
200114400Do not drive
20000200Do not drive
199911100Routine
199814100Routine
199719200Routine
19961100Routine
199512400Routine
19940100Routine
19930100Routine
19920100Routine
19910100Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every M3 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.