U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Bmw M3: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

40 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

78,750 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 26 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 40 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	11	27.5%
Electrical and battery issues	1	2.5%
Steering behavior	1	2.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Electrical System

Power Train

Suspension

Engine And Engine Cooling

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Air Bags	6
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	5
Electrical System	4
Power Train	4
Suspension	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	2

Air Bags: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Suspension: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2008

2010

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2020

2021

2022

2023

2002: 9; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2012: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10006959 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)

BMW HAS HAD A RASH OF ENGINE FAILURES ON THEIR NEW E46 M3'S. THESE FAILURES USUALLY (IM MY CASE AND MANY OTHERS) HAS RESULTED IN THE ENGINE ACTUALLY BLOWING UP. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS FAILURES THAT COULD HAPPEN. OIL DUMPS ALL OVER THE ROAD, THINGS LOCK UP AND YOU COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INVOLVED. BMW HAS BEEN REPLACING THESE MOTORS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WILL NOT DISCLOSE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURES OR WHAT HAS BEEN FIXED TO INSURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,623 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006959 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10016725 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)

THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES WITH NO EFFECT. THE DEALER DROVE IT OVER 300 MILE TO "TEST DRIVE" THE CAR. BMW DOES NOT RESPOND WITH ANYTHING BUT RHETORIC AND POOR SERVICE. OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES LITERALLY BLOW UP! BMW IS A TERRIBLEL COMPANY WITH DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND POOR SERVICE. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016725 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10022599 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)

WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON 9/9/2002. ON 5/27/2003 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022599 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031136 · 2003-08-09 (August 9, 2003)

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICEL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 16000, THE TRANSMISSION (SMG) WAS RE[;ACED AT 20000, NOW THE ENGINE REV HIGH AT IDEL AND SEND STRON VIBRATION TO THE CABIN AND STEERING COLUMN. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH, A LOCAL DEALER IN HOUSTON, TX, WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PROBLEMS WITH M3 QUIET. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031136 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10032123 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)

CONSUMER NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER A/C VENTS WHILE TRAVELING FROM 65-70 MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FIVE TIMES FOR PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032123 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10056196 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)

2002 BMW M3, REPEATED SMG TRANSMISSION FAILURES RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. BMW HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. BMW ALSO DAMAGED THE VEHICLE TRYING TO RETRIVE IT FOR YET ANOTHER REPAIR ATTEMPT. IT MAY HAVE STARTED ITSELF WITHOUT THE KEY IN IT WHILE THE TOW TRUCK WAS PICKING IT UP. BMW IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF DENIAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER 6 WEEKS NOW AND COUNTING AND IT HAS LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056196 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10123825 · 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005)

DT: DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO ACCENDENT, NO POT HOLE, AND NO OBJECTS WERE HIT. TOOK TO DEALER ON FRIDAY, AND THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR. THE INJURIES WERE BURNS AND BRUISES TO THE LEFT ARM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123825 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10134382 · 2005-08-27 (August 27, 2005)

REAR PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SOUNDED AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. SOFTWARE REPROGRAMMED 2 TIMES SO FAR WHICH CORRECTED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. WARNING LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON AFTER EACH REPROGRAMMING AS SOON AS PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SOUNDS. NOTE: CAR HAS SMG TRANSMISSION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134382 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

13V172000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2013-05-02 (May 2, 2013)

BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

NHTSA campaign record ↗

14V428000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

NHTSA campaign record ↗

15V318000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: 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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

17V047000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-20 (January 20, 2017)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant 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.

Consequence: 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 passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

40 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

65.0%Usable mileage26 / 40 records

95.0%Valid incident date38 / 40 records

100.0%Valid filing date40 / 40 records

95.0%Ordered incident and filing dates38 / 40 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2021	2022	2023	2025
Air Bags	619.4% ODI 10654689 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT FLICKERED WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. … Look up ODI 10654689 at NHTSA ↗	466.7% ODI 10934302 · 63,000 mi TAKATA RECALL IS TAKING TOO LONG TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. I CALLED RUSNAK BMW IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA IN NOVEMBER 2016 FOR A STATUS UPDATE AS TO WHY THEY STILL HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME TO REPLACE MY DRIVER'S SIDE TAKATA AIRBAG DESPITE A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2016. THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO MY MODEL YEAR AND THAT REPLACEMENT TAKATA AIRBAGS ARE NOT COMING AS QUICKLY AS THEY SHOULD. Look up ODI 10934302 at NHTSA ↗	753.8% ODI 10873743 · 9,000 mi TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG BMW TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE CAR TO PARK IT AND THEY WANT TO GIVE ME RENTAL. UNKNOW HOW LONG FOR REPAIR I LEASE CAR AT $1245 PER MONTH WAY SHOULD I GET A LESSER CAR AND CONTINUE MY PAYMENTS .I HAVE 2 YEARS LEFT I WANT TO TRADE IT IN FOR THE SAME VALUE ON A M4 SHOULDNT THEY GIVE ME THE SAME DEAL TO GET ME OUT OF MY LEASE.. FLORIDA HAS A HIGHER RISK BECAUSEOF THE HEAT FOR THE AIR BAG TO EXPLODE. IM 5FT 1 AND IM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR... I HAVENT DRIVEN IT SINCE THEY TOLD ME ABOUT RECALL ..I HAPPEN TO BRING CAR FOR SERVICE OR I WO… Look up ODI 10873743 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11611304 Unknown. I was driving home when I get a message stating “passenger restraint system malfunction” Look up ODI 11611304 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	1651.6% ODI 10626663 · 35,150 mi TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE GRADUALLY GOT LOUDER. OIL WARNING THAT IT WAS LOW ON OIL. ADDED OIL, STILL SAID IT WAS LOW, THEN SAID IT WAS TOO MUCH. THEN SAID IT WAS LOW (PARTICLES FROM BEARINGS WERE CLOGGED IN OIL SENSOR GIVING FALSE READING). FINALLY PARKED CAR WHEN NOISE WAS SO GREAT THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. ROD BEARS DISINTEGRATED ON CYLINDERS 2 AND 5. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR Look up ODI 10626663 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 10779100 · 24,600 mi DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, SHIFTED FROM 1ST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR AND AT 4000 RPMS, THE CAR STOPPED. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED CARD TO DEALER AND IT NEEDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. Look up ODI 10779100 at NHTSA ↗	430.8% ODI 10821362 · 3,100 mi VEHICLE HAS 3,100 MILES ON IT. I STOPPED TO GET FUEL AND ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE HEAVILY, THEN STALL OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET REAR ENDED. LUCKILY THE CAR STARTED BUT FELT LIKE IT HAD ONLY 10% OF THE POWER, BMW TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY TO TELL MY MY ENGINE HAS FAILED. IM NOT SURE HOW IN 3,100 WELL CARED FOR MILES THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET REAR-ENDED IN TRAFFIC. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT BMW COULD RELEASE … Look up ODI 10821362 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11289890 · 95,000 mi CRANK HUB SPUN TIMING SPROCKET CAUSING VALVES TO IMPACT PISTON AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. QUOTED MORE THAN $10K OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR. THIS IS CAUSED DUE TO POOR CRANK HUB DESIGN. CAR COMPANIES HAVE BEEN USING KEYED CRANKHUBS FOR GENERATIONS BUT BMW DECIDED TO NOT USED A KEYED HUB.. THIS IS VERY NEGLIGENT CONSIDERING HOW MANY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THIS. Look up ODI 11289890 at NHTSA ↗	360.0% ODI 11289880 · 28,000 mi THE CRANKHUB ON THESE CARS ARE TICKING TIME BOMBS AND IS LIKELY TO FAIL JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY FORCING HUGE REPAIR BILLS. IN SOME CASES, A "LUCKY" FEW JUST NEED TO BE RETIMED AND ONLY REQUIRE 18 HOURS OF LABOR. HOWEVER, OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY AND HAVE REQUIRED AN ALL-NEW ENGINE. THIS IS AN ISSUE BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF BUT HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSBILITY FOR THEIR INSUFFICIENT ENGINEERING. Look up ODI 11289880 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	222.2% ODI 11289976 · 8,000 mi CRANK HUB WILL BE PRONE TO SPIN AND THEREFORE WILL DESTROY ENGINE WHICH WILL REQUIRE A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR Look up ODI 11289976 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	412.9% ODI 10438472 · 10,000 mi CLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP IN COOLER TEMPERATURES. *TR Look up ODI 10438472 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	323.1% ODI 11000438 · 7 mi TAKATA RECALL. REASONABLE TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THE AIRBAG RECALL. BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD AS TO WHEN THIS SAFETY ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED.EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I FEEL I AM RISKING MY LIFE OR CHANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURY. BMW HAS BEEN COMPLETELY NEGLIGENT WITH REGARDS TO RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. BMW SHOULD TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE SITUATION BY REPLACING THE CAR WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE. I NEED THIS TO BE RESOLVED NOW!!!. ALSO THE DRIVE TRAIN HAS A CLUNKING NOISE OF WHICH I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE NEW. THEY HAVE MADE TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT BUT THE PROB… Look up ODI 11000438 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 11232137 · 48,234 mi KEEP HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. FEELING VIBRATION UNDER CAR UNDER ACCELERATING AND BREAKING. CARBON FIBER ROOF LAMINATE PEELING OFF. Look up ODI 11232137 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 11289976 · 8,000 mi CRANK HUB WILL BE PRONE TO SPIN AND THEREFORE WILL DESTROY ENGINE WHICH WILL REQUIRE A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR Look up ODI 11289976 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11714063 I am reporting a safety-related failure involving the clutch system on my 2022 BMW M3. At approximately 26,000 miles when I purchased, I began experiencing clutch-related issues, including slipping and abnormal engagement. I brought the vehicle to the BMW dealership on two separate occasions to report these concerns, but the dealership dismissed the issue and did not document or inspect the clutch. At approximately 33,000 miles, while driving on the freeway, the clutch failed to properly engage and would not catch gears, creating an unsafe dr… Look up ODI 11714063 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11669571 Car was parked and turned off in our driveway and it rolled backwards down the driveway and into the street Look up ODI 11669571 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	722.6% ODI 10661151 · 44,000 mi 2011 BMW DCT M3 ENGINE TURNS OFF BY IT SELF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTION. TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. "N" POPS UP ON THE CENTER COCKPIT. STEERING WHEEL LOCK. BRAKES WORK. HAD TO MAINTAIN FOOT ON BRAKES. HAVE TO PUSH "ENGINE START" BUTTON. CAR STARTS UP AGAIN. ENGINE STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION. COULD CAUSE DEATH TO END USERS OR OTHER PEOPLE. CAN CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGES AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE WITHIN A 8 WEEK PERIOD. MOST RECENTLY ON NOV 26,2014 APPROXIMATELY 430… Look up ODI 10661151 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 10910460 · 20,000 mi WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN I GET A GREEN LIGHT, THE ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER BUT KEEPS RUNNING. BMW HAS NO IDEA AS NO CODES ARE BEING SAVED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE GENERAL MANAGER SAID IT PROBABLY COMPUTER PART BUT WE MAY NEVER KNOW. Look up ODI 10910460 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11301469 · 6,352 mi VEHICLE IS A 2017 BMW M3 WITH 6352 MILES. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED AND HAD BEEN OPERATING NORMALLY THE DAY PRIOR. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND WOULD NOT START.IT WAS CLEAR THERE WAS NO POWER GETTING TO THE ELECTRONICS EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED BY FLATBED TRUCK TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED THE ROOT CAUSE AND FOUND THE PRIMARY BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR TO THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION BOX HAD FAILED WHERE THERE WAS NO LONG… Look up ODI 11301469 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11759039 While driving, suddenly, with no warning smoke came from under the hood. I got off the road and turned off car immediately. Luckily, since I did turn off the car so quickly, it did not burst into flames but did create a fire within the engine. I have video of fire damage and BMW quote on repair stating fire damage. As in the past with BMW, there is a documented history of PCV-heater fires. NHTSA Recall 22V-119 states the BMW PCV valve heaters can short circuit, overheat and cause a fire. Look up ODI 11759039 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11341883 REAR VIEW CAMERA STOPPED WORKING, SCREEN DISPLAYS "NO SIGNAL". FUSE DID NOT BLOW. Look up ODI 11341883 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 11099977 · 3,000 mi I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE SERVICE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN NOV. 2016. I NOTICED A CLUNKING AND JOLTING SENSATION FROM MY REAR AXLE WHICH I KNEW WAS NOT NORMAL. THE DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL AND THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE AT ALL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE AND PERSONAL FRUSTRATION KNOWING I'M PAYING FOR A NEW CAR WHICH DOESN'T FEEL NEW AT ALL, I FOUND THE ATTACHED RECALL NOTICE. MY CAR HAS A PRODUCTION DATE OF MAY 20, 2016 WHICH FALLS IN BETWEEN THE TIMELINE MENTIONED IN THE AT… Look up ODI 11099977 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	222.2% ODI 11193822 · 13,500 mi HELLO, I HAVE A 2018 BMW M3 THAT IS ABOUT 12 MONTHS OLD. THERE WAS A SIRIUS XM (SATELLITE RADIO) TRIAL PERIOD OF 1 YEAR, AND NOW THAT IT IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE, THERE IS AN ADVERTISEMENT IN MY NAVIGATION WINDOW THAT COMES UP EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR, THAT HAS TO BE CLEARED VIA PRESSING "OK" OR ELSE IT DOESN'T GO AWAY. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT IF I TURN ON THE CAR AND GO INTO REVERSE, THE REVERSE CAMERA WILL SHOW BUT GETS INTERRUPTED BY THE SIRIUS XM ADVERTISEMENT, AND DOESN'T COME BACK UNTIL THE ADVERTISEMENT TO RENEW IS MANUALLY CLEARED O… Look up ODI 11193822 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 11728419 Sunroof shattered while driving, no impact from outside. Look up ODI 11728419 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11733289 I just did a software update for my 2025 M3 and all settings were lost. Most of this is a customer inconvenience, but brake auto hold was turned off so imagine my surprise when I took my foot off the brake and my car rolled forward. Thankfully I was paying attention or there could have been an accident. I rely on auto hold to keep my car stopped even when my foot is off the brake. Look up ODI 11733289 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	80,000–149,000 mi	135,000 mi	5	ODI 10134382 · 19,000 mi REAR PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SOUNDED AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. SOFTWARE REPROGRAMMED 2 TIMES SO FAR WHICH CORRECTED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. WARNING LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON AFTER EACH REPROGRAMMING AS SOON AS PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SOUNDS. NOTE: CAR HAS SMG TRANSMISSION. JB Look up ODI 10134382 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10671005 · 80,000 mi BMW SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE THE TAKATA PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I CONTACTED MY DEALER IN LATE OCTOBER. THE DEALER HAS NOT RESPONDED AND BMW USA SAYS IT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS MAY BE AVAILABLE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MIAMI, FL NEW FROM A BMW DEALER AND WAS LOCATED IN THE FLORIDA KEYS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS. I NOW LIVE ON THE WATER IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE THE HUMIDITY IS TYPICALLY 99% OVERNIGHT AND MY DECK DOES NOT DRY ALL DAY DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY. SUMMERTIME TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE UPPER 80S TO LOW 90S WITH SEVERAL DAY… Look up ODI 10671005 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10691544 · 170,000 mi THIS CAR IS SUBJECT TO THE AIRBAG RECALL.I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THIS IN SEPTEMBER 2014. SINCE THEN, BMW HAS REPEATEDLY PUT OFF THE TARGET DATE FOR THIS REPAIR. BACK IN OCTOBER 2014, AN ARTICLE IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES STATED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE FIRST 25% OF THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL FEBRUARY 2015. IF BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS IN OCTOBER 2014, WHY DIDN'T THEY MAKE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS WITH ANOTHER VENDOR AND BACKCHARGE TAKATA? TR Look up ODI 10691544 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	15,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10006959 · 5,623 mi BMW HAS HAD A RASH OF ENGINE FAILURES ON THEIR NEW E46 M3'S. THESE FAILURES USUALLY (IM MY CASE AND MANY OTHERS) HAS RESULTED IN THE ENGINE ACTUALLY BLOWING UP. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS FAILURES THAT COULD HAPPEN. OIL DUMPS ALL OVER THE ROAD, THINGS LOCK UP AND YOU COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INVOLVED. BMW HAS BEEN REPLACING THESE MOTORS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WILL NOT DISCLOSE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURES OR WHAT HAS BEEN FIXED TO INSURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN… Look up ODI 10006959 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10031136 · 15,000 mi MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICEL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 16000, THE TRANSMISSION (SMG) WAS RE[;ACED AT 20000, NOW THE ENGINE REV HIGH AT IDEL AND SEND STRON VIBRATION TO THE CABIN AND STEERING COLUMN. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH, A LOCAL DEALER IN HOUSTON, TX, WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PROBLEMS WITH M3 QUIET. *AK Look up ODI 10031136 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10344604 · 64,000 mi I OWN A 2002 BMW M3. THERE ARE SIX CAMSHAFT BOLTS BEHIND A PLATE COVER. BMW SPECED BOLTS THAT WERE TOO SOFT UNTIL 2004 WHEN THEY CHANGED BOLT SPEC TO A HARDENED STEEL WITH LOCTITE. PRIOR TO THIS THE BOLTS HAD NO LOCTITE. THE ISSUE IS STARTING TO SURFACE ALL OVER THE WEB. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE BOLTS DO NOT STAY SCREWED IN. THEY BACK OUT AND STOP AGAINST THE PLATE COVER. EVENTUALLY THEY SHEAR OFF AND IF THIS HAPPENS IT CAUSES CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO YOUR ENGINE. IN MY CASE I WAS GOING 15MPH SO THE DAMAGE WAS ONLY $10,000. THE CAR HAMMERED TO A … Look up ODI 10344604 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	41,523 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10407375 · 13,000 mi BMW 2002 M3, REMOTE KEY DOES NOT WORK, BROKEN GENERAL MODULE. *TR Look up ODI 10407375 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10598930 · 70,045 mi I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE COUNTLESS OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT IN BMW'S SMG PUMP UNIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ME MAKING THAT DECISION. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF CHANGING LANES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SMG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON. THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED AS IT CHOSE TO SHIFT BACK TO 4TH GEAR AS I WAS GOING 65MPH. I TRIED SHIFTING BACK UP TO GEAR SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT WITH NO LUCK AS … Look up ODI 10598930 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	68,023 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10016725 · 1,000 mi THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES WITH NO EFFECT. THE DEALER DROVE IT OVER 300 MILE TO "TEST DRIVE" THE CAR. BMW DOES NOT RESPOND WITH ANYTHING BUT RHETORIC AND POOR SERVICE. OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES LITERALLY BLOW UP! BMW IS A TERRIBLEL COMPANY WITH DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND POOR SERVICE. NLM Look up ODI 10016725 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10441289 · 66,000 mi TROUBLE WITH SMG TRANSMISSION. CAR WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR AND BUCKS HARD TRYING TO ENGAGE. TR Look up ODI 10441289 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10470150 · 77,500 mi MULTIPLE INCIDENTS SINCE THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR: ?DRIVING IN 4TH GEAR (ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 40 MINS OF DRIVING) WILL SUDDENLY FEEL AS IF CLUTCH IS ENGAGED SO I CANNOT ACCELERATE, YELLOW TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THEN I HAVE TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR TO RE-ENGAGE BACK INTO 1ST GEAR. NOTICED IF I WAIT LONG ENOUGH, ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ALSO TURNS OFF THEN I CAN RESTART BACK IN FIRST GEAR. ALL THIS WHILE DRIVING IN AUTO MODE. ?SAME I… Look up ODI 10470150 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	115,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10401828 · 84,204 mi INSPECTION AT DEALER, BMW OF PEABODY, 221 ANDOVER STREET, PEABODY MA 01960, FOUND BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS QUITE NORMAL FOR BMW 3 SERIES. I BELIEVE THAT BROKEN REAR SPRINGS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO PERSONS. Look up ODI 10401828 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10479377 · 115,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE BMW DEALER FOR A INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THE SUBFRAME/TRUNK FLOOR WAS CRACKING AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PUT MY CAR ON A VEHICLE LIFT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND ADVISED ME IT MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. LOOKING INTO THIS ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON SAFTEY PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. *TR Look up ODI 10479377 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11121830 · 190,000 mi UPON INSPECTION, VEHICLE'S REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS SHOW CRACKING AND OTHER SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL FATIGUE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNDERGONE COMPLETE REAR SUBFRAME FAILURE. VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME NEEDS TO BE REINFORCED AND BMW SETTLED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE WAS NOT ESCALATED TO A RECALL, POSSIBLY LEAVING THOUSANDS OF UNSAFE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. Look up ODI 11121830 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	123,456 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10430221 · 123,456 mi I HAVE A BMW M3 WHICH HAS AN SMG TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOSES POWER TO CHANGE THE GEARS AND MY CAR STARTED TO JERK WHILE ON THE ROAD NEARLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SMG PUMPS FOR BMW M3 HAVE ALWAYS A HIGH FAILURE DESIGN FLAW. THE COST TO FIX THAT IS ALSO UNBEARABLE WHICH NEARS THE $5,000 MARK. THERE HAS BEEN FORUMS GOING AROUND THAT THIS IS INDEED A DESIGN FLAW FOR BMW. I ALMOST NEARLY GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT, BUT THANKFULLY I WAS OK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I FEEL AS WELL AS EVERY… Look up ODI 10430221 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	15,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10031136 · 15,000 mi MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICEL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 16000, THE TRANSMISSION (SMG) WAS RE[;ACED AT 20000, NOW THE ENGINE REV HIGH AT IDEL AND SEND STRON VIBRATION TO THE CABIN AND STEERING COLUMN. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH, A LOCAL DEALER IN HOUSTON, TX, WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PROBLEMS WITH M3 QUIET. *AK Look up ODI 10031136 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 0 complaints · 2023: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	0	0	0
2023	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	1	0	0
2023	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Electrical System	Power Train	Suspension	Engine And Engine Cooling	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Air Bags	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10031136 · 15,000 mi MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICEL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 16000, THE TRANSMISSION (SMG) WAS RE[;ACED AT 20000, NOW THE ENGINE REV HIGH AT IDEL AND SEND STRON VIBRATION TO THE CABIN AND STEERING COLUMN. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH, A LOCAL DEALER IN HOUSTON, TX, WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PROBLEMS WITH M3 QUIET. *AK Look up ODI 10031136 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10598930 · 70,045 mi I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE COUNTLESS OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT IN BMW'S SMG PUMP UNIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ME MAKING THAT DECISION. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF CHANGING LANES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SMG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON. THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED AS IT CHOSE TO SHIFT BACK TO 4TH GEAR AS I WAS GOING 65MPH. I TRIED SHIFTING BACK UP TO GEAR SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT WITH NO LUCK AS … Look up ODI 10598930 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Power Train	0	0	0	1 ODI 10598930 · 70,045 mi I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE COUNTLESS OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT IN BMW'S SMG PUMP UNIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ME MAKING THAT DECISION. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF CHANGING LANES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SMG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON. THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED AS IT CHOSE TO SHIFT BACK TO 4TH GEAR AS I WAS GOING 65MPH. I TRIED SHIFTING BACK UP TO GEAR SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT WITH NO LUCK AS … Look up ODI 10598930 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Suspension	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	1 ODI 10031136 · 15,000 mi MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICEL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 16000, THE TRANSMISSION (SMG) WAS RE[;ACED AT 20000, NOW THE ENGINE REV HIGH AT IDEL AND SEND STRON VIBRATION TO THE CABIN AND STEERING COLUMN. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH, A LOCAL DEALER IN HOUSTON, TX, WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PROBLEMS WITH M3 QUIET. *AK Look up ODI 10031136 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

3 mentions · 7.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,045 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10134382 · 19,000 mi

Look up ODI 10134382 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10470150 · 77,500 mi

MULTIPLE INCIDENTS SINCE THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR: ?DRIVING IN 4TH GEAR (ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 40 MINS OF DRIVING) WILL SUDDENLY FEEL AS IF CLUTCH IS ENGAGED SO I CANNOT ACCELERATE, YELLOW TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THEN I HAVE TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR TO RE-ENGAGE BACK INTO 1ST GEAR. NOTICED IF I WAIT LONG ENOUGH, ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ALSO TURNS OFF THEN I CAN RESTART BACK IN FIRST GEAR. ALL THIS WHILE DRIVING IN AUTO MODE. ?SAME I…

Look up ODI 10470150 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10598930 · 70,045 mi

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE COUNTLESS OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT IN BMW'S SMG PUMP UNIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ME MAKING THAT DECISION. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF CHANGING LANES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SMG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON. THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED AS IT CHOSE TO SHIFT BACK TO 4TH GEAR AS I WAS GOING 65MPH. I TRIED SHIFTING BACK UP TO GEAR SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT WITH NO LUCK AS …

Look up ODI 10598930 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10022599

WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON 9/9/2002. ON 5/27/2003 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK

Look up ODI 10022599 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 123,456 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10430221 · 123,456 mi

I HAVE A BMW M3 WHICH HAS AN SMG TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOSES POWER TO CHANGE THE GEARS AND MY CAR STARTED TO JERK WHILE ON THE ROAD NEARLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SMG PUMPS FOR BMW M3 HAVE ALWAYS A HIGH FAILURE DESIGN FLAW. THE COST TO FIX THAT IS ALSO UNBEARABLE WHICH NEARS THE $5,000 MARK. THERE HAS BEEN FORUMS GOING AROUND THAT THIS IS INDEED A DESIGN FLAW FOR BMW. I ALMOST NEARLY GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT, BUT THANKFULLY I WAS OK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I FEEL AS WELL AS EVERY…

Look up ODI 10430221 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule