1995 BMW M3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tires are manufactured by federal (taiwan import). Tread is delaminating over the entire cross-section of tread, tire under 3 years old with less than 5k miles. Wide-spread issue per google. Tires have been used for regular road-driving in nj. No accident has taken place (yet).”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2019
“Airbag warning light stays on for 2 minutes; common problem for 1995 3 series according to internet forum (http://www.fixya.com/cars/t595499-airbag_light). *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2009
“I owed this 1995 bmw m3 since new and ABS and airbag light comes on very frequently. ABS: need to replace ABS pump and ABS module. Airbag: need to replace safety seat belt buckle. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“While applied the brakes the brake light failed to come on. The driver has placed refuses on more than one occasion the problem still remained. The driver was able to drive it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver brake light which needed replacement but the campaign bullentin was not for this vehicle. Please fill in additional information.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2004
“Passenger side rear shock torn out from the shock tower. Stress cracks in the driver side rear shock tower with failure imminent. I can provide pictures of the shock towers before and after they were taken out of the car as well as the shock towers themselves. I have found many examples of the same problem on bmw m3's reported on national e-mail lists. I can provide copies of the e-mails.*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2003
“While driving at 55mph and with no warning vehicle was sideswiped, resulting in a rollover. Dealer will be notified.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2002
“The vehicle experienced extended stopping, and there was a noise coming from the brakes when they were applied.*dt *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2002
“Bottom of drivers side coil spring failed - broke completely and rattling around in lower support. Could not identify rattle for a long time until recently. Most probable cause of failure this early in the service life of the part was the manufacturing process or materials used. If the spring had failed in the middle, the consequences could have been more severe. Since the part broke at such low mileage, I think the manufacturer should replace the unit at their expense.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2001
“Safety recall 98v-178; regarding the 1995 bmw m3. The vehicle has been service eleven times for repairs and maintenance for the cooling system.***no answer required***. *mr when the failure occurred, hot coolant was expelled onto the windshield and into the passenger cabin through the open window and sunroof. The consumer received minor burns and irritation to his skin. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the radiator, water pump, thermostat, housing, related gaskets and connectors were replaced. The consumer stated he never received a recall notice even though the problem he experienced was stated in the recall. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1995
“ABS system fails, locking up the back up system with uneven braking, resulting in both right front and right rear tires locking up, causing vehicle to pull almost into a circle. Dealership aware of problem from previous owner. Diagnostic computer at dealership unable to detect cause. Please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
IN A FMVSS NO. 208 30 MILES-PER-HOUR COMPLIANCE TEST, AN UNBELTED TEST DRIVER DUMMY'S CHEST MAXIMUM RESULTANT ACCELERATION WAS 70.8 G'S, WHICH EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 60 G'S. ALSO, THE UNBELTED PASSENGER DUMMY'S LEFT FEMUR MAXIMUM LOAD WAS 2361 LBS, WHICH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 2250 LBS. THE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORT CROSSMEMBER WITH A CROSSMEMBER USED ON THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODEL. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION REAR BUSHING SUPPORTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH BUSHING HAVING DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THE STEERING COLUMN FRONT SUPPORT BEARING AT THE FIREWALL WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART USING A TEFLON INNER SURFACE AND TEFLON SPRAY WILL BE APPLIED TO THE COLUMN HOUSING IN THE AREA OF THE BEARING. A BRACE WILL BE ADDED BETWEEN THE KNEE BOLSTER SUPPORT AND THE STEERING COLUMN.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1995 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact M3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 BMW M3 reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 BMW M3. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1995 BMW M3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.