Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 1999 BMW M3 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2015.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 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 — 20
Against the median year of the BMW M3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
46.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% 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 1999 BMW M3
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
538.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 95,000 mi
Tires
215.4%
Brakes
215.4%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi
Body & Structure
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi
Steering
17.7%
Median failure at 95,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
225.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
225.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
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.
Aug 1999peak 2Feb 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 BMW M3
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ON MARCH 26, 1999, BMW OF NORTH AMERICAN, INC. RECALLED 32,500 1999 323I AND 328I MANUFACTURED UP TO APRIL 1999, FOR INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POT HOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.AS A REMEDY, BMW WILL RECODE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE.THE RECALL WAS A RESULT OF AN ODI SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION. ODI RECEIVED 1 CONSUMER COMPLAINT OF A 1999 MODEL YEAR M3 ALLEGING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT SIDE IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE CAUSING ONE INJURY.THE COMPLAINANT'...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 40,000 milesLHC, AZCrash
STRUCTURE
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE AND POSES A DANGER WHEN MOVING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOUR FOOT CAN BECOME ENTANGLED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10322398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLHC, AZCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE AND POSES A DANGER WHEN MOVING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOUR FOOT CAN BECOME ENTANGLED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10322398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marathon, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SEPT 00 ABS DASH LIGHT ON, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, PARTS ORDERED, CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH LIGHT ON, REPAIRED OCT 00, ABS DASH LIGHT AGAIN ON, TOOK TO DEALER, TOLD THE ABS WAS REPAIRED-ABS LIGHT ON DUE TO GAS CAP, MAY 2001 CAR OUT OF CONTROL AS IF WHEELS LOCKED, NARROWLY MISSED GOING IN CANAL AND HITTING ONCOMING VEHICLES, SERVICE SHOP DIAGNOSED ABS FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #750954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
IMPACT WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE TIRE. THE TIRE SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE AND NO OTHER DAMAGE TO BODY
NHTSA complaint #710205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CA1 injured
AIR BAGS
WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROLL OF THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #710172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesAnnapolis, MD
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DIAGNOSIS: PASSENGER AIR BAG ELECTRONICS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 PER DEALER. BMW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THEY DO NOT SHOW THIS WITH MY VIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10680819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMartinsburg, WV
AIR BAGS
THE MATERIAL USED ON THE BMW STEERING WHEEL MELTS AT THE TOUCH OF SUNLIGHT- DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A HOT TEMPERATURE. THE MELTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL RESTRICTS ME FROM USING THE HORN AND COULD VERY WELL HAVE AFFECTED THE AIRBAG AND/OR DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. ALSO, IT'S STICKY, MY FINGERPRINTS AND SLEEVE FROM MY SHIRT ARE IMPRINTED ON THE STEERING WHEEL...MY LONG HAIR HAS BEEN STUCK ON IT. I'M AFRAID TO TOUCH THE WHEEL- IT NEARLY DRIPS. WHAT IS THIS MATERIAL? WHAT'S GOING ON? NOTHING WAS PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO CAUSE THIS. THIS CAR IS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THIS IS A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN ANY CAR, AT ANY TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MATERIAL BMW USED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED...
NHTSA complaint #10650645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMartinsburg, WV
STEERING
THE MATERIAL USED ON THE BMW STEERING WHEEL MELTS AT THE TOUCH OF SUNLIGHT- DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A HOT TEMPERATURE. THE MELTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL RESTRICTS ME FROM USING THE HORN AND COULD VERY WELL HAVE AFFECTED THE AIRBAG AND/OR DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. ALSO, IT'S STICKY, MY FINGERPRINTS AND SLEEVE FROM MY SHIRT ARE IMPRINTED ON THE STEERING WHEEL...MY LONG HAIR HAS BEEN STUCK ON IT. I'M AFRAID TO TOUCH THE WHEEL- IT NEARLY DRIPS. WHAT IS THIS MATERIAL? WHAT'S GOING ON? NOTHING WAS PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO CAUSE THIS. THIS CAR IS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THIS IS A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN ANY CAR, AT ANY TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MATERIAL BMW USED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED...
NHTSA complaint #10650645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLHC, AZCrash
STRUCTURE
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE AND POSES A DANGER WHEN MOVING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOUR FOOT CAN BECOME ENTANGLED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10322398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLHC, AZCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE AND POSES A DANGER WHEN MOVING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOUR FOOT CAN BECOME ENTANGLED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10322398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Petaluma, CA
TIRES
TL * - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW M3. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 21, 2007, WITH 2 BALD REAR TIRES. THE DEALER HAS NOT AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. BRIDGESTONE, POTENZA , DOT # EMH8CKA. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE SIZE WAS 18. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED A CITATION FOR HAVING BALD TIRES, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH BALD TIRES FOR SAFETY REASONS.
NHTSA complaint #10181344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesCockeysville, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE OIL. THE OIL WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED AN OIL PAN NUT FELL OFF INTO THE OIL PAN CAUSING AN OIL PUMP FAILURE WHICH BURN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING AN OIL CHANGE. UPDATED 02/21/06.
NHTSA complaint #10148358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,600 milesSunnyvale, CA
AIR BAGS
1999 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. AIRBAG LIGHT COME UP WITH NO REASON; POTENTIALLY, AIRBIG WON'T DEPLOY IF ANY ACCIDENT HAPPEN. VIN [XXX]. UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10065963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesManchester, MO
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON MY BMW M3 HAS A DEFECT. IT INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION STICKING IN 5TH GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN SHIFTING, LEAVING THE OPERATOR WTIHOUT FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN 1999 M3S AND MANY CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THIS. BMWS FIX IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10053191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ardsley, NY
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO DEFLATE DUE TO A PUNCTURE AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. NLM. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED DUE TO THE TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE WALL. TIRE SIZE 245/40ZR17, CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A PUNCTURE.
NHTSA complaint #8004009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marathon, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SEPT 00 ABS DASH LIGHT ON, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, PARTS ORDERED, CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH LIGHT ON, REPAIRED OCT 00, ABS DASH LIGHT AGAIN ON, TOOK TO DEALER, TOLD THE ABS WAS REPAIRED-ABS LIGHT ON DUE TO GAS CAP, MAY 2001 CAR OUT OF CONTROL AS IF WHEELS LOCKED, NARROWLY MISSED GOING IN CANAL AND HITTING ONCOMING VEHICLES, SERVICE SHOP DIAGNOSED ABS FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #750954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
IMPACT WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE TIRE. THE TIRE SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE AND NO OTHER DAMAGE TO BODY
NHTSA complaint #710205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CA1 injured
AIR BAGS
WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROLL OF THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #710172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.