2005 Bmw M3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Visibility: 1; Visibility:Windshield: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 10114024 · 2005-03-13 (March 13, 2005)
2005 MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED NEW AT SOUTHBAY MINI, TORRENCE CA, ON 3/4/05. CAR IS GARAGED AT 547 OAK PARK RESIDENCE, NO CRACK ON THE NIGHT OF 3/7/05. NOTICED APPROX 8" CRACK ON THE MORNING OF 3/8/05. TAKEN TO DEALER ON 3/9/05, DEALER PERFORMS "BALL POINT PEN TEST" ON WINDSHIELD CRACK TO DETERMINE IF WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WARRANTY IS DENIED. STATES WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS (TSB: M5120103, ://ALLDATA.COM/TSB/85/04850253.HTML) HAVE BEEN FIXED IN 2005 MODELS YET NUMEROUS OWNERS ON MINI2.COM AND NORTHAMERICANMOTORING…
Owner-reported narrative. 495 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344897 · 2010-07-23 (July 23, 2010)
THE VANOS SYSTEM IN THE 2001-2006 BMW M3 IS A COMMON PART THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST BOLTS OF THE CAM GEAR CAN SHEER OFF DUE TO IMPROPER TORQUING FROM THE FACTORY AND IMPROPER HARDNESS OF THE BOLTS. THE DRIVE SHAFT OF THE VANOS SYSTEM IS ALSO WEAK. IF THE VANOS SYSTEM FAILS, THE CAM GEAR CAN SHEER OFF, AND PARTS CAN GET INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. SOMETIMES, PARTS CAN BREAK OFF INTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THIS SYSTEM FAILS WITHOUT RHYME OR REASON, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10344897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10405576 · 2011-06-08 (June 8, 2011)
WHILE NORMAL DRIVING THROUGH TOWN/HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND CEASE TO ACCELERATE. WHICH CAUSES A HIGH RISK MANEUVER TO AVOID TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10405576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409353 · 2011-06-29 (June 29, 2011)
THE AUTO-DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRRORS IN 2001-2006 BMW 3 SERIES, AND OTHER MODELS ARE DEFECTIVE. THESE MIRRORS LEAK OUT THE TOXIC AUTO-DIMMING FLUID INTO THE CAR (DAMAGING THE INTERIOR, AND PUTTING THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS AT RISK FROM THE CHEMICALS). NOT TO MENTION ONCE THIS HAPPENS THE MIRROR IS BECOMES BLURRY, AND HARD TO SEE OUT OF (WHICH IS A SAFTEY HAZARD FOR VEHICLE OPERATION). MY PARTICULAR CAR IS STILL UNDER CPO BMW WARRANTY, AND I WAS TOLD THE MIRROR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH ITS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN MATERIALS, OR DESIGN FR…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415516 · 2011-07-28 (July 28, 2011)
THERE ARE NO VISUAL SIGNS OF THIS FAILURE UNLESS THE VALVE COVER TO THE ENGINE IS REMOVED. UPON REMOVAL THERE IS A METAL FRAGMENT THAT IS RUNNING LOOSE UNDERNEATH THE VALVE COVER. WHEN THIS METAL PIECE FALLS OUT IT CAN ENTER THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS PART BREAKS OFF DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE ADJUSTABLE TIMING MECHANISM (VANOS). A REDESIGN OF THE SYSTEM OR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS IS NEEDED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION I …
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425826 · 2011-09-16 (September 16, 2011)
MY VEHICLE HAS 87,000 MILES AND I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE VANOS HAD FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ALMOST $5,000 TO FIX. I'VE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD ACCIDENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR, IT'S IN ORIGINAL STATE. I SPOKE TO MY SERVICE ADVISER TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO, HOWEVER IT'S BEEN ALMOST A MONTH AND WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS. I'VE CALLED THEM AT LEAST 20 TIMES DURING THE PAST MONTH, IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10693231 · 2015-03-10 (March 10, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10693231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10745348 · 2015-07-31 (July 31, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10745348 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗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 ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
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.
| Component | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 619.4%ODI 10654689TL* 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. … | 466.7%ODI 10934302 · 63,000 miTAKATA 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. | 753.8%ODI 10873743 · 9,000 miTAKATA 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… | 0UnavailableNo 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 11611304Unknown. I was driving home when I get a message stating “passenger restraint system malfunction” | 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 miTICKING 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 | 233.3%ODI 10779100 · 24,600 miDRIVING 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. | 430.8%ODI 10821362 · 3,100 miVEHICLE 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 … | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 11289890 · 95,000 miCRANK 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. | 360.0%ODI 11289880 · 28,000 miTHE 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 222.2%ODI 11289976 · 8,000 miCRANK HUB WILL BE PRONE TO SPIN AND THEREFORE WILL DESTROY ENGINE WHICH WILL REQUIRE A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR | 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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 miCLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP IN COOLER TEMPERATURES. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 323.1%ODI 11000438 · 7 miTAKATA 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… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11232137 · 48,234 miKEEP 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 11289976 · 8,000 miCRANK HUB WILL BE PRONE TO SPIN AND THEREFORE WILL DESTROY ENGINE WHICH WILL REQUIRE A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11714063I 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… | 1100.0%ODI 11669571Car was parked and turned off in our driveway and it rolled backwards down the driveway and into the street | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 722.6%ODI 10661151 · 44,000 mi2011 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 215.4%ODI 10910460 · 20,000 miWHEN 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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 miVEHICLE 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… | 111.1%ODI 11759039While 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. | 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 11341883REAR VIEW CAMERA STOPPED WORKING, SCREEN DISPLAYS "NO SIGNAL". FUSE DID NOT BLOW. | 120.0%ODI 11099977 · 3,000 miI'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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 222.2%ODI 11193822 · 13,500 miHELLO, 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… | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11733289I 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. |
| 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Too few reports for a range | 85,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10415516 · 85,000 miTHERE ARE NO VISUAL SIGNS OF THIS FAILURE UNLESS THE VALVE COVER TO THE ENGINE IS REMOVED. UPON REMOVAL THERE IS A METAL FRAGMENT THAT IS RUNNING LOOSE UNDERNEATH THE VALVE COVER. WHEN THIS METAL PIECE FALLS OUT IT CAN ENTER THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS PART BREAKS OFF DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE ADJUSTABLE TIMING MECHANISM (VANOS). A REDESIGN OF THE SYSTEM OR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS IS NEEDED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION I … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 87,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10425826 · 87,000 miMY VEHICLE HAS 87,000 MILES AND I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE VANOS HAD FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ALMOST $5,000 TO FIX. I'VE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD ACCIDENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR, IT'S IN ORIGINAL STATE. I SPOKE TO MY SERVICE ADVISER TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO, HOWEVER IT'S BEEN ALMOST A MONTH AND WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS. I'VE CALLED THEM AT LEAST 20 TIMES DURING THE PAST MONTH, IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR… |
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 88,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10779500 · 88,000 miSMG TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND RANDOMLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FOUR LANE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LIGHT WENT OFF AND IT SEEMED FINE L FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND SAME HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TAKING MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL. I CALLED BMW AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WASNT A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THEREFORE IT ISNT DEEMED AN ISSUE ON THIER END. I TOLD THEM I WASNTED THIS REPORTED AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE THE REPORT IN THIER SYSTEM. I WAS NOT AWARE UNTIL RECENTLY THAT YOU HAVE TO REPORT IT TO… |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 80,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10405576 · 80,000 miWHILE NORMAL DRIVING THROUGH TOWN/HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND CEASE TO ACCELERATE. WHICH CAUSES A HIGH RISK MANEUVER TO AVOID TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. *TR |
| Unknown Or Other | Too few reports for a range | 168,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11101610 · 168,000 miEVAPORATOR CORE DESIGN FLAW IS CONDUCIVE TO MOLD AND MILDEW BUILDUP. OVERTIME, THE BACTERIA CAN BUILD UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL RELEASE INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM UPON USE CAUSING UNSAFE HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS FOR BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. STANDARD CLEANING PROCEDURES PROVIDED BY BMW ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCE. |
| Visibility | Too few reports for a range | 45,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10409353 · 45,000 miTHE AUTO-DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRRORS IN 2001-2006 BMW 3 SERIES, AND OTHER MODELS ARE DEFECTIVE. THESE MIRRORS LEAK OUT THE TOXIC AUTO-DIMMING FLUID INTO THE CAR (DAMAGING THE INTERIOR, AND PUTTING THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS AT RISK FROM THE CHEMICALS). NOT TO MENTION ONCE THIS HAPPENS THE MIRROR IS BECOMES BLURRY, AND HARD TO SEE OUT OF (WHICH IS A SAFTEY HAZARD FOR VEHICLE OPERATION). MY PARTICULAR CAR IS STILL UNDER CPO BMW WARRANTY, AND I WAS TOLD THE MIRROR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH ITS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN MATERIALS, OR DESIGN FR… |
| Visibility:Windshield | Too few reports for a range | 495 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10114024 · 495 mi2005 MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED NEW AT SOUTHBAY MINI, TORRENCE CA, ON 3/4/05. CAR IS GARAGED AT 547 OAK PARK RESIDENCE, NO CRACK ON THE NIGHT OF 3/7/05. NOTICED APPROX 8" CRACK ON THE MORNING OF 3/8/05. TAKEN TO DEALER ON 3/9/05, DEALER PERFORMS "BALL POINT PEN TEST" ON WINDSHIELD CRACK TO DETERMINE IF WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WARRANTY IS DENIED. STATES WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS (TSB: M5120103, ://ALLDATA.COM/TSB/85/04850253.HTML) HAVE BEEN FIXED IN 2005 MODELS YET NUMEROUS OWNERS ON MINI2.COM AND NORTHAMERICANMOTORING… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2022: 0 complaints · 2023: 1 complaints
| 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
| 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 | Air Bags | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Unknown Or Other | Visibility | Visibility:Windshield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 0 | 0 | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.