Owners have filed 43 complaints
about the 2010 BMW 3 Series with NHTSA between 2010 and 2019.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the BMW 3 Series. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 36
7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 24
14% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
310.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
310.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1241.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
517.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
517.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2010peak 4Feb 2019
Recalls on the 2010 BMW 3 Series
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024544587,250 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202439244,131 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: This recall applies to vehicles that may be equipped with a replacement sport or M-sport steering wheel that has a Takata airbag. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver-front airbag module. To learn if your vehicle is affected by this recall, owners may: • Visit <a href= https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html> https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html</a> • Contact your preferred or local BMW Retailer • Call BMW Customer Relations Recall Services at 1-855-217-3002
Recall 202356821,475 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit housing bolts could loosen or break. As a result, the camshaft could become incorrectly adjusted and cause the engine to enter a reduced power mode (limp mode) or to stall while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the VANOS bolts.
Recall 202209598,111 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat. Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair. Safety Risk: An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Recall 202000847 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. The driver-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.
Recall 20193102,294 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain 3-series and M3 vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box may fail. This could cause a loss of electrical power while driving. As a result the engine could turn off and various electrical systems may not work, including the lights. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power and/or loss of vehicle electrical systems could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the positive battery cable connector with an updated version. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013-048.
Recall 2018260281 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s electrical system, resulting in engine stalling, a loss of vehicle propulsion and a loss of function of various vehicle systems, such as lights. A loss of vehicle propulsion and vehicle electrical systems, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver’s reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector with an updated version. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013-048.
Recall 201758875,744 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the blower regulator wiring harness crimp connection could start to corrode over time. This in combination with high current flow (IE maximum blower fan speed) could cause the harness to overheat and melt, which could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the blower regulator wiring harness and inspect other components for damage, replacing them as necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 85,178 milesAllentown, PACrash
AIR BAGS
DRIVING FROM WORK ON A SNOWING DAY, GOING ABOUT 25 TO 35. THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF LANE. I TRADED TO GET CONTROL BUT IT WAS TO LATE. I HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10702037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesStanford, CTFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE HOOD OF VEHICLE WAS OPEN, HE OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSION VALVE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #10639084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesStanford, CTFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE HOOD OF VEHICLE WAS OPEN, HE OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSION VALVE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #10639084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 85,000 milesCrawfordville, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON, HAD IT CHECKED BUT STILL THERE
NHTSA complaint #11176210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPalm BAY, FL
ENGINE
FOUND A BROKEN BOLT OF THE INTAKE CYLINDER HEAD, WAS BROKE WITHOUT ANY REASON. I NOT THE ONLY ONE, FOUND THIS VIDEO. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=A7HIZIB96PQ THERE ARE 3 MORE BOLTS INSIDE THE CYLINDER HEAD THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE ON THE ENGINE IF BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #11145232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
SEAT BELTS
TAKATA RECALL - I THINK AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AFFECTING THIS. BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11132144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - I THINK AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AFFECTING THIS. BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11132144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL - I THINK AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AFFECTING THIS. BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11132144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
TAKATA RECALL - I THINK AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AFFECTING THIS. BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11132144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOO LONG TO REMEDY
NHTSA complaint #11119313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN NOVEMBER 2017, BMW SENT ME LETTERS REGARDING POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO DEFECTS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND THE PCV VALVE HEATER (RECALL NUMBERS 17V-676 AND 17V-683). NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND NO REPAIR OFFERED TO CORRECT POSSIBLE DEFECTS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEM RELATED TO THESE PARTS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THESE ISSUES, BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL AND REPAIR AFFECTED CARS PROMPTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11099988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
AIR BAGS
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11019259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesScottsdale, AZ
WHEELS
BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE - DELIMITATION? NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING IN ARIZONA. TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT TREAD LEFT AND STILL HOLDS AIR. SEE PHOTO.
NHTSA complaint #11015385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesKensington, NH
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11013373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesSouthlake, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS. KNOWN PROBLEM AT BMW AND MECHANICS. BMW HAS OFFERED AN "LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION". WHY WASN'T IT A FULL RECALL? MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I'M REPORTING IT ONLY AS A CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #11013535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,300 milesSunnyvale, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2016. IT IS NOW ALMOST AUGUST 2017. 18 MONTHS FOR A SAFETY RECALL IS BEYOND REASONABLE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11006134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood City, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10990524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, OH
AIR BAGS
"TAMARA RECALL" - AFTER CALLING MY DEALER TO ASK WHEN MY CAR WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED ABOUT WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN. I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER EARLY LAST YEAR. IT SEEMS TO ME AS THOUGH SOMEONE IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET. MAYBE YOUR AGENCY NEEDS TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THOSE INVOLVED IN EXPEDITING THIS RECALL FULFILLMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10940282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrisville, NC
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL BMW PROMISED TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IN 2016 LATE SUMMER. BUT NOW IT IS JANUARY, 2017. THEY STILL HAVEN'T PROVIDED PARTS TO GET IT FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ARE JUST GIVING BS. THERE ARE 17 SIMILAR CUSTOMERS LIKE ME WAITING FOR PARTS. BMW SHOULD NOT ALLOW TO SELL ANY NEW CARS IN NC UNTIL WE GET THE PARTS. BECAUSE ALL NEW CAR COMES WITH NEW AIR BAG. IF THEY CAN SELL NEW CAR, THEY SHOULD HAVE AIR BAG. SO WHY NOT PUT THE SAFETY OF EXISTING CUSTOMER IN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY?
NHTSA complaint #10939927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CATALYTIC PERMANENT FAILURE-REPLACE, 08MAY14, 30KMILES. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACE, 16JUN14, 30KMILES. EXTREME CARBON BUILD UP-WALNUT BLAST CYLINDERS,CLEAN INTAKE&EXHAUST SIDE, 23MAR15, 35KMILES. REPLACE INJECTOR, 08APR15, 35K MILES. REPLACE NOX SENSOR, 17APR15, 29KMILES. DIESEL ACTIVE TANK FAILURE 28 SEPT 15, 37K MILES. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE-PART ON BACK ORDER, 28SEPT15, 37KMILES. DSC REAR SENSOR FAILURE,07DEC15, 38K MILES. ABOVE ENGINE AND RELATED EMISSIONS FAULTS CAUSED POOR MILEAGE AND POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, LIKELY TO BE NEEDED AGAIN-SPECIFICALLY WALNUT BLASTING. PER BMW PROBLEM CAUSED DUE TO CAR BEING DRIVEN IN CITY AND NOT HIGHWAY, "TO BLOW IT OUT"- LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS
NHTSA complaint #10816877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
ENGINE
CATALYTIC PERMANENT FAILURE-REPLACE, 08MAY14, 30KMILES. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACE, 16JUN14, 30KMILES. EXTREME CARBON BUILD UP-WALNUT BLAST CYLINDERS,CLEAN INTAKE&EXHAUST SIDE, 23MAR15, 35KMILES. REPLACE INJECTOR, 08APR15, 35K MILES. REPLACE NOX SENSOR, 17APR15, 29KMILES. DIESEL ACTIVE TANK FAILURE 28 SEPT 15, 37K MILES. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE-PART ON BACK ORDER, 28SEPT15, 37KMILES. DSC REAR SENSOR FAILURE,07DEC15, 38K MILES. ABOVE ENGINE AND RELATED EMISSIONS FAULTS CAUSED POOR MILEAGE AND POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, LIKELY TO BE NEEDED AGAIN-SPECIFICALLY WALNUT BLASTING. PER BMW PROBLEM CAUSED DUE TO CAR BEING DRIVEN IN CITY AND NOT HIGHWAY, "TO BLOW IT OUT"- LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS
NHTSA complaint #10816877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesChester Springs, PA
ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING ON PA-401, I APPROACHED STOP SIGN AT PA-82. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SLOWING TO MAKE A ROUTINE STOP. WHEN APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION AT LOW SPEED, I STARTED HEARING A PULSING THUMP FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. DROVE SLOWLY HOME AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BMW DEALER. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE TWO ALUMINIUM ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR SNAPPED. THIS MEANT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT PROPERLY FASTENED TO THE FRAME - A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS SHOULD NOT SNAP FOR NO REASON. AND BMW SHOULD COVER THEIR REPLACEMENT (PARTS AND LABOR) AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. (MY CAR WAS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, SO I ONLY HAD A $50 OUT OF POCKET COST, BUT ONCE IT EXPIRES LATER THIS YEAR, MY COST WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER, NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF DRIVING A CAR WITH A BOUNCING, UNSECURED ENGINE)
NHTSA complaint #10746023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,511 milesLafayette, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL CEASED TO FUNCTION....UPDATED 03/31/15 *BF THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TAIL LIGHT. IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CONNECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10702259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,511 milesLafayette, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL CEASED TO FUNCTION....UPDATED 03/31/15 *BF THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TAIL LIGHT. IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CONNECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10702259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,178 milesAllentown, PACrash
AIR BAGS
DRIVING FROM WORK ON A SNOWING DAY, GOING ABOUT 25 TO 35. THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF LANE. I TRADED TO GET CONTROL BUT IT WAS TO LATE. I HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10702037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesStaten Island, NY
ENGINE
ENGINE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND CAR STARTED TO SHAKE RENDERING IT UNABLE TO DRIVE. CAR IS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT IGNITION COIL FAILURES ARE A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS BMWS. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND I AM WONDERING WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL IN THE US.
NHTSA complaint #10692354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesPennsauken, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 295 AROUND 67 MPH. WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 10 MINUTES I FELT A LOSS OF SPEED ABOUT FIVE TIMES. IT FEEL LIKE I LET GO THE GAS PEDAL, BUT I NEVER DID. AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS ON 67 MPH. I TRY TO PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I TRY TO START THE CAR BACK UP BUT IT WON'T START. I KEEP TRYIN FOR ABOUT TEN TIMES AND IT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR WENT BY IT START BACK UP AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10672035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesPennsauken, NJ
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 295 AROUND 67 MPH. WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 10 MINUTES I FELT A LOSS OF SPEED ABOUT FIVE TIMES. IT FEEL LIKE I LET GO THE GAS PEDAL, BUT I NEVER DID. AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS ON 67 MPH. I TRY TO PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I TRY TO START THE CAR BACK UP BUT IT WON'T START. I KEEP TRYIN FOR ABOUT TEN TIMES AND IT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR WENT BY IT START BACK UP AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10672035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.