BMW M3: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 23 model years of the BMW M3 on record, 2011 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about engine). 2009 has the most recall campaigns (5). 2008 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (6).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 MPG |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 MPG |
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | 0 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 19 MPG |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 MPG |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 MPG |
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | 0 | POWER TRAIN | 19 MPG |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | 0 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 19 MPG |
| 2018 | 0 | 9 | 1 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 20 MPG |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 | 0 | FUEL SYSTEM | 19 MPG |
| 2016 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ENGINE | 19 MPG |
| 2015 | 3 | 4 | 0 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 19 MPG |
| 2013 | 2 | 13 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2012 | 3 | 6 | 0 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2011 | 4 | 40 | 2 | ENGINE | 16 MPG |
| 2010 | 4 | 15 | 1 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2009 | 5 | 40 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | 16 MPG |
| 2008 | 5 | 40 | 6 | ENGINE | 16 MPG |
| 2006 | 5 | 40 | 1 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2005 | 3 | 37 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 MPG |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 MPG |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 MPG |
| 2001 | 4 | 14 | 1 | STRUCTURE | 17 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the BMW M3Questions
- Which BMW M3 year has the most complaints?
- Of 23 model years of the BMW M3 on record, 2011 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about engine).
- Which BMW M3 year has the most recalls?
- 2009 has the most recall campaigns (5).
- Which BMW M3 years have no complaints or recalls on record?
- 2027, 2026, 2024, 2023, 2004, 2003, 2002. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.