BMW M3 Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the BMW M3 have?

The BMW M3 has 7 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 2009 through 2017. Individual vehicles may be subject to fewer recalls depending on their specific model year and production date.

Q: Is my M3 under recall?

Whether your specific M3 is subject to a recall depends on your vehicle's exact VIN, not just the model year. A recall may apply to a specific production date range or certain build configurations. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov/recalls to see which, if any, open recalls apply to your exact vehicle.

Q: What is the most recalled M3 year?

Based on NHTSA recall data, the 2009 BMW M3 has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 5 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

7 recall campaigns on record across 2 model years of the BMW M3. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

Check Your Specific VIN — Free All BMW Recalls

Recall Campaigns

312

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

2 affected model years17 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 2009

Affected Model Years

20172R · 1C 20095R · 17C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Electrical2 campaigns (29%)

Airbag2 campaigns (29%)

Other2 campaigns (29%)

Transmission1 campaign (14%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — BMW M3

ENGINE

AIR BAGS

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIRES

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUSPENSION

Based on 312 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years. 8 injuries reported.

All BMW M3 Recall Campaigns

#19V4720002009 BMW M3Electrical

Issued: Invalid Date

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

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 1-800-5…

#20V0170002009 BMW M3Airbag

Issued: Invalid Date

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, …

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 …

#17V6760002009 BMW M3Electrical

Issued: Invalid Date

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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 ai…

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 …

#16V0710002009 BMW M3Airbag

Issued: May 2, 2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,…

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 …

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 BM…

#08V5950002009 BMW M3Other

Issued: Invalid Date

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.

Risk: IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

#18V7130002017 BMW M3Transmission

Issued: Nov 10, 2018

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.

Risk: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

#16V6530002017 BMW M3Other

Issued: Sep 9, 2016

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 bei…

Risk: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 1-800-525-7…

Recalls by Component

2Airbag Recalls

#20V017000MY 2009

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 …

#16V071000MY 2009

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 xDri…

2Electrical Recalls

#19V472000MY 2009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

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…

#17V676000MY 2009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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 200…

BMW M3 Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the BMW M3 have?

The BMW M3 has 7 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 2009 through 2017.

Is my M3 under recall?

Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.

What is the most recalled M3 year?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2009 BMW M3 has the highest recall campaign count (5 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.

Does a M3 recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?

Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Who pays for recall repairs on a M3?

The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific BMW M3 for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My M3

BMW M3 Problems & Complaints All BMW Recalls All Makes — Recall Center