Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 1995 BMW M3 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2019.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 16 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 M3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
37.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 BMW M3
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
425.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 175,000 mi
Airbags
318.8%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 87,000 mi
Suspension
212.5%
Median failure at 102 miles
Seat Belts
16.3%
Median failure at 175,000 miles
Wheels
16.3%
Tires
16.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
16.3%
Lights
16.3%
Steering
16.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
16.3%
Median failure at 1,845 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
120.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
150,000+ miles
240.0%
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.
May 1996peak 3Aug 2019
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 1,845 milesKirkland, WA1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SAFETY RECALL 98V-178; REGARDING THE 1995 BMW M3. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE ELEVEN TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, HOT COOLANT WAS EXPELLED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW AND SUNROOF. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR BURNS AND IRRITATION TO HIS SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, HOUSING, RELATED GASKETS AND CONNECTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS STATED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10136707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Armonk, NYCrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WAS SIDESWIPED, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8017481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ORCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILS, LOCKING UP THE BACK UP SYSTEM WITH UNEVEN BRAKING, RESULTING IN BOTH RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES LOCKING UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL ALMOST INTO A CIRCLE. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM FROM PREVIOUS OWNER. DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AT DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #819821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER'S AIT BAG IN REAR-END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #504528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG IN REAR-END ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #504528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
NEW York City, NY
WHEELS
TIRES ARE MANUFACTURED BY FEDERAL (TAIWAN IMPORT). TREAD IS DELAMINATING OVER THE ENTIRE CROSS-SECTION OF TREAD, TIRE UNDER 3 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 5K MILES. WIDE-SPREAD ISSUE PER GOOGLE. TIRES HAVE BEEN USED FOR REGULAR ROAD-DRIVING IN NJ. NO ACCIDENT HAS TAKEN PLACE (YET).
NHTSA complaint #11246179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York City, NY
TIRES
TIRES ARE MANUFACTURED BY FEDERAL (TAIWAN IMPORT). TREAD IS DELAMINATING OVER THE ENTIRE CROSS-SECTION OF TREAD, TIRE UNDER 3 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 5K MILES. WIDE-SPREAD ISSUE PER GOOGLE. TIRES HAVE BEEN USED FOR REGULAR ROAD-DRIVING IN NJ. NO ACCIDENT HAS TAKEN PLACE (YET).
NHTSA complaint #11246179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesPasco, WA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 2 MINUTES; COMMON PROBLEM FOR 1995 3 SERIES ACCORDING TO INTERNET FORUM (HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T595499-AIRBAG_LIGHT).
NHTSA complaint #10264270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesSugar Land, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I OWED THIS 1995 BMW M3 SINCE NEW AND ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON VERY FREQUENTLY. ABS: NEED TO REPLACE ABS PUMP AND ABS MODULE. AIRBAG: NEED TO REPLACE SAFETY SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
NHTSA complaint #10156503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesSugar Land, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWED THIS 1995 BMW M3 SINCE NEW AND ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON VERY FREQUENTLY. ABS: NEED TO REPLACE ABS PUMP AND ABS MODULE. AIRBAG: NEED TO REPLACE SAFETY SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
NHTSA complaint #10156503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,845 milesKirkland, WA1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SAFETY RECALL 98V-178; REGARDING THE 1995 BMW M3. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE ELEVEN TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, HOT COOLANT WAS EXPELLED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW AND SUNROOF. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR BURNS AND IRRITATION TO HIS SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, HOUSING, RELATED GASKETS AND CONNECTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS STATED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10136707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhattan Beach, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER HAS PLACED REFUSES ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER BRAKE LIGHT WHICH NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT THE CAMPAIGN BULLENTIN WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10092113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102 milesHouston, TX
SUSPENSION:REAR
PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK TORN OUT FROM THE SHOCK TOWER. STRESS CRACKS IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOCK TOWER WITH FAILURE IMMINENT. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF THE SHOCK TOWERS BEFORE AND AFTER THEY WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR AS WELL AS THE SHOCK TOWERS THEMSELVES. I HAVE FOUND MANY EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON BMW M3'S REPORTED ON NATIONAL E-MAIL LISTS. I CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF THE E-MAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10039232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING, AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED.*DT
NHTSA complaint #567779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
BOTTOM OF DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED - BROKE COMPLETELY AND RATTLING AROUND IN LOWER SUPPORT. COULD NOT IDENTIFY RATTLE FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL RECENTLY. MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF FAILURE THIS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE PART WAS THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR MATERIALS USED. IF THE SPRING HAD FAILED IN THE MIDDLE, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE. SINCE THE PART BROKE AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE UNIT AT THEIR EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #766279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Armonk, NYCrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WAS SIDESWIPED, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8017481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topanga, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND THERE ARE SMELLS OF GAS VAPORS WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. DEALER HAS FIXED VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM BEFORE. DEALER REPLACED FITTINGS IN THE SENDING UNITBUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #845884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ORCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILS, LOCKING UP THE BACK UP SYSTEM WITH UNEVEN BRAKING, RESULTING IN BOTH RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES LOCKING UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL ALMOST INTO A CIRCLE. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM FROM PREVIOUS OWNER. DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AT DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #819821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER'S AIT BAG IN REAR-END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #504528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG IN REAR-END ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #504528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN A SLOWER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF CAR, DRIVER HIT BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE SPINNED, LOST CONTROL AND SMASHE DINTO CONCRETE CARRIER.
NHTSA complaint #504528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.