Complaints by model year
Federal complaints filed against each model year of the BMW 3 Series. Hover a bar for the count.
1985
1995
2000
2005
2010
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years
Which years to avoid
Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.
Years to look at twice
- 2006 BMW 3 Series - 288 complaints
- 2007 BMW 3 Series - 190 complaints
- 2000 BMW 3 Series - 111 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Quieter years
- 2003 BMW 3 Series - 67 complaints
- 2009 BMW 3 Series - 74 complaints
- 2004 BMW 3 Series - 93 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.
What fails, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 BMW 3 Series | 34 | 0 |
| 2012 BMW 3 Series | 11 | 3 |
| 2011 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 BMW 3 Series | 43 | 2 |
| 2009 BMW 3 Series | 74 | 1 |
| 2008 BMW 3 Series | 93 | 2 |
| 2007 BMW 3 Series | 190 | 1 |
| 2006 BMW 3 Series | 288 | 3 |
| 2005 BMW 3 Series | 29 | 0 |
| 2004 BMW 3 Series | 93 | 0 |
| 2003 BMW 3 Series | 67 | 0 |
| 2002 BMW 3 Series | 40 | 0 |
| 2001 BMW 3 Series | 49 | 1 |
| 2000 BMW 3 Series | 111 | 1 |
| 1999 BMW 3 Series | 6 | 1 |
| 1998 BMW 3 Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1997 BMW 3 Series | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 BMW 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 BMW 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 BMW 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V821000 | 2023 | Power Train | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Cou |
| 23V707000 | 2010-2012 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series |
| 22V119000 | 2006-2012 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i) |
| 21V401000 | 1999-2001 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon veh |
| 12V176000 | 2012 | Seats | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 19, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 18, 2012, THAT HAVE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT EXCEED THE DOWN |
| 09V257000 | 2008 | Seat Belts | BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFI |
| 08V384000 | 2006 | Air Bags | BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY O |
| 06V400000 | 2006 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN. |