U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Bmw M3: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

45 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

4,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 39 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 45 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	24	53.3%
Engine operation	9	20.0%
Braking behavior	5	11.1%
Electrical and battery issues	4	8.9%
Steering behavior	1	2.2%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.2%

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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Air Bags

Electrical System

Engine

Power Train

Vehicle Speed Control

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	20
Air Bags	8
Electrical System	5
Engine	4
Power Train	3
Vehicle Speed Control	3
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	1

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 20; Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 4; Power Train: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1

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: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 6 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.

2009

2010

2011

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2020

2021

2009: 23; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10257666 · 2009-02-06 (February 6, 2009)

MY 09 BMW M3 WITH DCT IS EXHIBITING GEAR SHIFTING SLOWNESS AND POWER LAGGING PROBLEMS AFTER HARD BRAKING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS A NEAR REAR END COLLISION TODAY THAT REQUIRED ME TO BRAKE HARD FROM 70MPH, TO 40, SWITCH LANES AND ACCELERATE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY APPROACHING TRAFFIC FROM BEHIND. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS. THE LAG WAS LONG ENOUGH THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257666 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10257975 · 2009-02-08 (February 8, 2009)

IN THE 2009 BMW M3 SEDAN WITH DCT (DUAL CLUTCH) TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG OR HESITATION OF AT LEAST 1 SECOND BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGING AND GIVING ACCELERATION TO THE WHEELS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FROM A STAND-STILL, BUT OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT VIRTUALLY ALL RANGES OF SPEED, FROM ROLLING STOP (5KM/HR OR LESS) THROUGH STANDARD ROAD SPEEDS OF ANY DEGREE (RESIDENTIAL 30-40KM/HR, CITY ROADS 50-70KM/HR, OR HIGHWAY 90KM/HR+). I WAS CAREFULLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A SLOW LEFT TUR…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257975 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258029 · 2009-02-09 (February 9, 2009)

THIS OCCURS REGULARLY, PERHAPS 10 TIMES PER WEEK OR MORE DEPENDING ON SEVERITY. ON DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE THE DRIVELINE. WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED AGAIN TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A LONG DELAY (GREATER THAN 1 SECOND). THIS OCCURS AT SLOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 20 MPH), FOR EXAMPLE WHEN ENTERING A LEFT TURN LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD THIS BEHAVIOR DUPLICATED FOR A BMW TECHNICIAN WHO, UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, INDICATED THAT BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DECLARED IT "NORMAL OPERATION". IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIM…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258029 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10263986 · 2009-04-02 (April 2, 2009)

I OWN A 2009 BMW M3. IT HAS THE MDCT TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A DELAY WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE DELAY OCCURS WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY ENGAGES AND MOVES FORWARD. THE DELAY IS AS LONG AS 1-1.5 SECONDS. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. BMW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT TO BE THE CASE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T DOWNSHIFT AT LOWER SPEEDS. IN FACT, ONLY "THINKING" AND PROCEEDING TO DOWNSHIFT AFTER THE ACCELERAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263986 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10264299 · 2009-04-06 (April 6, 2009)

WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR, SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHEN TURNING. HAPPENS WITH DCT TRANSMISSION WITH LATEST SOFTWARE. MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON BMW MESSAGE BOARDS, AND BMW IS BASICALLY IGNORING US. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264299 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10264984 · 2009-04-11 (April 11, 2009)

SUMMARY: POWER APPLICATION LAG IN 2ND GEAR WITH M3 DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. SPECIFIC INCIDENT: WHILE ROLLING IN 2ND WITH ABOUT 1500RPM I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO TRAFFIC FROM A MERGING RIGHT LANE THAT WAS ENDING SHORTLY. AFTER I THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO ACCELERATE, I DID SO, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT PRODUCE POWER FOR THE NEXT 0.5 SECOND. AFTER POWER KICKED IN, IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO CONTINUE AS THE ONCOMING CAR WAS CLOSER THAN I HAD CALCULATED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, POWER KICKED IN AS I WOULD EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN 0.5 SECOND AGO. …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264984 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10265033 · 2009-04-12 (April 12, 2009)

THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT LAG FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE IN MY CAR WHICH AT TIMES PREVENTS ME FROM GETTING OUT OF THE WAY OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265033 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10265296 · 2009-04-14 (April 14, 2009)

THE BMW M3 WITH DCT TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS A DANGEROUS ACCELERATION LAG IN SECOND GEAR. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN COASTING AT LOW SPEED IN SECOND GEAR, CLOSE TO ONE FULL SECOND WILL ELAPSE ONCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY ENGAGES AND THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THIS MAKES MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, OR ANY SITUATION REQUIRING QUICK POWER APPLICATION, DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265296 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.

08V595000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Reported: 2008-11-14 (November 14, 2008)

BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.

Consequence: IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

16V071000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-05 (February 5, 2016)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may 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: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

17V676000 · Electrical System:Wiring

Reported: 2017-10-25 (October 25, 2017)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V472000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | Electrical System

Reported: 2019-06-19 (June 19, 2019)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

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

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) 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 driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 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

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

86.7%Usable mileage39 / 45 records

100.0%Valid incident date45 / 45 records

100.0%Valid filing date45 / 45 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates45 / 45 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
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	913–3,950 mi	1,650 mi	20	ODI 10257666 · 1,800 mi MY 09 BMW M3 WITH DCT IS EXHIBITING GEAR SHIFTING SLOWNESS AND POWER LAGGING PROBLEMS AFTER HARD BRAKING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS A NEAR REAR END COLLISION TODAY THAT REQUIRED ME TO BRAKE HARD FROM 70MPH, TO 40, SWITCH LANES AND ACCELERATE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY APPROACHING TRAFFIC FROM BEHIND. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS. THE LAG WAS LONG ENOUGH THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ME. *TR Look up ODI 10257666 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10258029 · 100 mi THIS OCCURS REGULARLY, PERHAPS 10 TIMES PER WEEK OR MORE DEPENDING ON SEVERITY. ON DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE THE DRIVELINE. WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED AGAIN TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A LONG DELAY (GREATER THAN 1 SECOND). THIS OCCURS AT SLOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 20 MPH), FOR EXAMPLE WHEN ENTERING A LEFT TURN LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD THIS BEHAVIOR DUPLICATED FOR A BMW TECHNICIAN WHO, UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, INDICATED THAT BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DECLARED IT "NORMAL OPERATION". IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIM… Look up ODI 10258029 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10263986 · 1,500 mi I OWN A 2009 BMW M3. IT HAS THE MDCT TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A DELAY WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE DELAY OCCURS WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY ENGAGES AND MOVES FORWARD. THE DELAY IS AS LONG AS 1-1.5 SECONDS. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. BMW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT TO BE THE CASE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T DOWNSHIFT AT LOWER SPEEDS. IN FACT, ONLY "THINKING" AND PROCEEDING TO DOWNSHIFT AFTER THE ACCELERAT… Look up ODI 10263986 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	47,500 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10863062 · 47,500 mi TAKATA RECALL HELLO MADAM/ SIR, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - 16V-071 REGARDING FAULTY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY 2009 BMW M3. THE NOTICE (ATTACHED) CLEARLY STATES THAT IN AN EVENT OF AIRBAG GETTING DEPLOYED, THE AIRBAG MIGHT EXPLODE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.BMW SAYS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION OF WHEN NEW PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL ISSUE OF SOMETHING HAPPENING, I HAVE BEEN RENTING A CAR FOR A WHILE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED BMW AND HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL SO FAR TO RECEIVE ANY HELP. BMW TOLD ME … Look up ODI 10863062 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10934034 · 65,000 mi TAKATA RECALL HASN'T HAPPENED. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. I GUESS IF YOU WAIT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO COMPLAIN AFTER IT KILLS US IN AN ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 10934034 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11318530 · 45,000 mi I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW TO REPLACE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE AT THAT TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM SINCE TO ARRANGE REPLACEMENT AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS. Look up ODI 11318530 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	43,600 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10428888 · 36,300 mi SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BMW 2009 M3, I NOTICED A RARE BUT VERY DISTURBING PATTERN ON TAKE OFF. I HAD CAR CHECKED IN DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY SECONDARY TO MY DRIVING STYLE! THIS UNCONTROLLED TAKE OFF IS LIKE HI REV AND RAPID ACCELERATION PERIODICALLY ALTERNATING WITH DECELERATION FOR FEW SECONDS. I HAD THIS HAPPEN PROB A DOZEN TIME SO FAR(36K ON CAR). ON DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH SPEED LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR, CAR LITERALLY WENT OFF ON ME. IT ACCELERATED TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND THEN MANAGED TO PUSH TH… Look up ODI 10428888 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10560764 · 50,400 mi 400 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAULT WARNING BEGAN TO COME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALL GAUGES BOTTOM OUT QUICKLY THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, EDC OR OTHER WARNINGS WILL START. I DON'T EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD. WHEN CONNECTED TO THE BMW COMPUTER FOR ERROR CODES IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY CODES OR THAT THE WARNINGS HAVE GONE OFF. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 18000 MILES TRYING TO FIND JUST ONE COMMON THI… Look up ODI 10560764 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10701509 · 36,800 mi WHILE TRYING TO EXIT MY E92 2009 M3 FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE BY DOUBLE PULLING THE HANDLE IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE CAR. THE LOCKING BOLT STICKS UP PARTIALLY WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE BUT DOESN'T UNLOCK. I HAD TO HIT THE LOCK BUTTON FROM THE DASHBOARD TO UNLOCK THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN IF YOU ARE PANICKED AND CAN'T GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE UNDER HEAVY STRESS. *TR Look up ODI 10701509 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	61,865 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10765229 · 56,729 mi VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE TAKING A TURN. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND DRIVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I DROVE AROUND SLOWLY TO TEST AND NOTICED KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE NORMAL, NOT QUITE TO THE NEXT MARKER, BUT CLOSE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BMW SERVICE SHOP. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS ROD BEARING FAILURE WHICH LED TO CRANKSHAFT DAMAGE, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE, WITH ONLY 57K MI, THAT IS NO LONGER REUSABLE. I AM NOW FACING ENGINE REPLACEMENT COSTS OF $15-25K. Look up ODI 10765229 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10825875 · 140,000 mi S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDI… Look up ODI 10825875 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10917999 · 44,300 mi THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00… Look up ODI 10917999 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	4,600 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10265033 · 1,200 mi THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT LAG FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE IN MY CAR WHICH AT TIMES PREVENTS ME FROM GETTING OUT OF THE WAY OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT. *TR Look up ODI 10265033 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10274365 · 5,900 mi HELLO. I HAVE A 2009 BMW M3 WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. I AM EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT DELAYS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR TO A LOWER GEAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN, LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE POWER ENGAGING. I WOULD SAY ABOUT 2-4 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, I AM REALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, W… Look up ODI 10274365 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10275525 · 4,600 mi I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO-LANE STREET (ONE-LANE EACH DIRECTION) AND AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT I TURNED ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE DEDICATED LEFT-HAND TURN LANE. AS I DID THIS I NEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT AS I SLOWED DOWN FOR THE STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD AT THE LIGHT. WHEN I SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE INTO THE TURN LANE MY CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED FROM THE CARS BEHIND ME BUT LUCKILY MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AT THE LAST SECOND AND I CLEARED THE LANE I WAS IN. B… Look up ODI 10275525 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	36,300 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10265347 · 10 mi MY 2009 BMW M3 WITH A DCT TRANSMISSION LAGS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DOES NOT GO FOR AT LEAST 2 SECONDS, THEN IT SHOOTS FORWARD. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BMW BUT THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR IS DOWN SHIFTING. *TR Look up ODI 10265347 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10428888 · 36,300 mi SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BMW 2009 M3, I NOTICED A RARE BUT VERY DISTURBING PATTERN ON TAKE OFF. I HAD CAR CHECKED IN DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY SECONDARY TO MY DRIVING STYLE! THIS UNCONTROLLED TAKE OFF IS LIKE HI REV AND RAPID ACCELERATION PERIODICALLY ALTERNATING WITH DECELERATION FOR FEW SECONDS. I HAD THIS HAPPEN PROB A DOZEN TIME SO FAR(36K ON CAR). ON DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH SPEED LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR, CAR LITERALLY WENT OFF ON ME. IT ACCELERATED TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND THEN MANAGED TO PUSH TH… Look up ODI 10428888 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10825875 · 140,000 mi S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDI… Look up ODI 10825875 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Too few reports for a range	84,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11427001 · 84,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 BMW M3. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side turn signal failed to illuminate. Additionally, the headlights and dashboard lights would flicker on and off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the electrical wiring insulation was frayed and damaged. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. Look up ODI 11427001 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	44,300 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10917999 · 44,300 mi THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00… Look up ODI 10917999 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	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Air Bags	Electrical System	Engine	Power Train	Vehicle Speed Control	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10265347 · 10 mi MY 2009 BMW M3 WITH A DCT TRANSMISSION LAGS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DOES NOT GO FOR AT LEAST 2 SECONDS, THEN IT SHOOTS FORWARD. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BMW BUT THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR IS DOWN SHIFTING. *TR Look up ODI 10265347 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Air Bags	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10428888 · 36,300 mi SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BMW 2009 M3, I NOTICED A RARE BUT VERY DISTURBING PATTERN ON TAKE OFF. I HAD CAR CHECKED IN DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY SECONDARY TO MY DRIVING STYLE! THIS UNCONTROLLED TAKE OFF IS LIKE HI REV AND RAPID ACCELERATION PERIODICALLY ALTERNATING WITH DECELERATION FOR FEW SECONDS. I HAD THIS HAPPEN PROB A DOZEN TIME SO FAR(36K ON CAR). ON DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH SPEED LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR, CAR LITERALLY WENT OFF ON ME. IT ACCELERATED TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND THEN MANAGED TO PUSH TH… Look up ODI 10428888 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10825875 · 140,000 mi S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDI… Look up ODI 10825875 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10917999 · 44,300 mi THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00… Look up ODI 10917999 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	1 ODI 10265347 · 10 mi MY 2009 BMW M3 WITH A DCT TRANSMISSION LAGS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DOES NOT GO FOR AT LEAST 2 SECONDS, THEN IT SHOOTS FORWARD. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BMW BUT THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR IS DOWN SHIFTING. *TR Look up ODI 10265347 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10428888 · 36,300 mi SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BMW 2009 M3, I NOTICED A RARE BUT VERY DISTURBING PATTERN ON TAKE OFF. I HAD CAR CHECKED IN DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY SECONDARY TO MY DRIVING STYLE! THIS UNCONTROLLED TAKE OFF IS LIKE HI REV AND RAPID ACCELERATION PERIODICALLY ALTERNATING WITH DECELERATION FOR FEW SECONDS. I HAD THIS HAPPEN PROB A DOZEN TIME SO FAR(36K ON CAR). ON DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH SPEED LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR, CAR LITERALLY WENT OFF ON ME. IT ACCELERATED TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND THEN MANAGED TO PUSH TH… Look up ODI 10428888 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10825875 · 140,000 mi S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDI… Look up ODI 10825875 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	0	0	0	1 ODI 10917999 · 44,300 mi THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00… Look up ODI 10917999 at NHTSA ↗	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

4 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 22.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 2,500 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10257975 · 1,000 mi

Look up ODI 10257975 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10264299 · 1,500 mi

Look up ODI 10264299 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10265508 · 1,033 mi

LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE MISFIRE/STUTTER. *TR

Look up ODI 10265508 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

5 mentions · 11.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 2,500 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10274339 · 11 mi

THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2009 BMW M3 COUPE WITH THE DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION (DCT). I AM EXPERIENCING MAJOR SHIFT LAG TRYING TO REACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING DOWN. BASICALLY, THE 2ND GEAR WILL FAIL TO CATCH / ENGAGE WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE CAR STALL FOR A SECOND OR TWO. AFTER THAT, THE GEAR WILL ENGAGE ABRUPTLY AND I WILL BE PULLED VIOLENTLY FORWARD. THIS HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS: 1. I ALMOST REAR-ENDED SOMEONE WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED ABRUPTLY WITH THE CAR JERKING FORWARD AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT TURN…

Look up ODI 10274339 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10274365 · 5,900 mi

HELLO. I HAVE A 2009 BMW M3 WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. I AM EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT DELAYS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR TO A LOWER GEAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN, LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE POWER ENGAGING. I WOULD SAY ABOUT 2-4 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, I AM REALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, W…

Look up ODI 10274365 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10277616 · 200 mi

THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN- LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE ONSET OF POWER- UP TO 2-3 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, THE DRIVER IS USUALLY REALLY DIGGING INTO THE THROTTLE. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD, SOMETIMES INVOKING THE ANTI-SKID CONTROL. THE OCCURS FREQUENTLY. *TR

Look up ODI 10277616 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 4.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 71,250 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10273913 · 2,500 mi

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2009 BMW 335I ON FWY 5 SOUTH AT ABOUT 65 MPH , THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANE. IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED REPEATEDLY, WE HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW TO GET HOME, NEXT DAY I GOT IT IN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THIS HAPPENED TO MY 2 TIMES , THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF WE IN A MID OF PASSING OTHER CAR ON FWY . THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REQUIRE BMW RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PUMP,TH…

Look up ODI 10273913 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10825875 · 140,000 mi

S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDI…

Look up ODI 10825875 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 2.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 58,500 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10991274 · 58,500 mi

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE DEAD DESPITE A GOOD BATTERY. WAS SOLVED BY REMOVING GLOVE BOX AND FUS BOX AND PUSHING ON THE BATTERY CABLE THAT GOES INTO THE FUSE BOX TO GET A CONNECTION. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FOR BMW AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON OTHER 3-SERIES VEHICLES (2007 - 2011) WITH THE SAME PART NUMBERS, BUT WILL NOT COVER M3. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS LOSS OF POWER TO FUSE BOX WHILE DRIVING CAN SHUT DOWN THE CAR.

Look up ODI 10991274 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule