BMW 3 SERIES
All Model Years — Complaints, Recalls & Reliability
BMW 3 SERIES Reliability Overview
The BMW 3 SERIES has been produced from 1986 to 2023. Over 38 model years, NHTSA has received 1,177 complaints and issued 49 recall campaigns for this model.
38
Model Years
1,177
Complaints
49
Recalls
1986–2023
Year Range
Complaints by Model Year
2023 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 1
No rating
2022 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
★★★★★
2021 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
★★★★★
2019 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
★★★★★
2018 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
★★★★★
2017 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
★★★★★
2016 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
★★★★★
2013 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 34
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2012 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 11
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: engine
2011 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: engine
2010 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 43
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2009 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 74
Recalls: 2
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2008 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 93
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2007 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 190
Recalls: 2
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2006 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 288
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2005 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 29
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2004 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 93
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lighting
2003 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 95
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2002 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 40
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2001 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 49
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lighting
2000 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 111
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: power-trainautomatic-transmission
1999 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 6
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
1998 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
1997 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 6
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
1996 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 3
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
1995 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 3
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: service-brakes-hydraulicantilocktraction-controlelectronic-limited-slip
1994 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: suspensionrear
1993 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 3
No rating
1992 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 3
No rating
1989 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
No rating
1988 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
No rating
1987 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
No rating
1986 BMW 3 SERIES
Complaints: 3
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: structure
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Rating | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 1 | N/A | — |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2013 | 34 | 0 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2012 | 11 | 3 | N/A | engine |
| 2011 | 1 | 3 | N/A | engine |
| 2010 | 43 | 3 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2009 | 74 | 2 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2008 | 93 | 3 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2007 | 190 | 2 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2006 | 288 | 4 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2005 | 29 | 0 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2004 | 93 | 0 | N/A | exterior-lighting |
| 2003 | 95 | 0 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2002 | 40 | 0 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2001 | 49 | 1 | N/A | exterior-lighting |
| 2000 | 111 | 1 | N/A | power-trainautomatic-transmission |
| 1999 | 6 | 1 | N/A | air-bags |
| 1998 | 4 | 4 | N/A | air-bags |
| 1997 | 6 | 4 | N/A | air-bags |
| 1996 | 3 | 4 | N/A | air-bags |
| 1995 | 3 | 4 | N/A | service-brakes-hydraulicantilocktraction-controlelectronic-limited-slip |
| 1994 | 1 | 3 | N/A | suspensionrear |
| 1993 | 0 | 3 | N/A | — |
| 1992 | 0 | 3 | N/A | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 0 | N/A | — |
| 1988 | 0 | 0 | N/A | — |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 | N/A | — |
| 1986 | 3 | 0 | N/A | structure |