2011 BMW M3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (45% of complaints); the 2010 and 2012 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When I put the battery terminals after swapping a new battery, my FRM got damaged. No brake or head lights are working, no turn signals, no windows moving etc. It's a safety issue on the road”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2022
“I was driving on the freeway accelerating when I hit approximately 75 mph my car was making a loud revving sound and metal clanking sound in middle and smoke was coming from the front and back of the vehicle very thick white smoke all of a sudden my car slowed down and all the lights were blinking on the dash almost got into accidents while cars avoid hitting! My car wasn't going over 5 10 mph there was so much smoke was getting worried,some how I managed to exit the freeway and parked I was told my english was blown! Maintenance was up-to-date only drove it on the weekends only had 52,000 miles nightmare 2011 bmw m3”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“I did some research it looks my car has the positive battery cable recall not done it's major safety issue!! Up on further information cars build from date 2008-2012 my vehicle production date is from september 2010. I still haven't received my recall later please solve issue as soon as possible thanks.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Two weeks ago, when the car was driving normally, it suddenly shut down and could no longer start. When automotive engineers took the engine apart, they found that the crankshaft and rod bearing bush were over-worn and burnt out. The engineer told me that the oil I used was too sticky to lubricate the rod bearing. I changed the engine oil 8,000 miles ago, using the 10w-60 oil supplied by bmw.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“I was driving casually when the motor suddenly shut off. No noise indicating engine failure ever happened. I coasted off the road and tried to restart. Nothing but a click. Eventually tried replacing starter motor but that didn't work. No engine lights or codes ever popped up. Turns out engine seized due to failed rod bearings.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“While shifting into 3rd gear, my engine threw a rod through the block, car has not been modified, has 43,300 original miles, original owner.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“O2 sensors constantly go out replaced 3 times, throttle body acutators constantly go bad putting car in limp mode very dangerous my car cut off at 65mph on the freeway. I was with my family!!! Something bad could of happened. Please look into this bmw m3 2008-2013 please look into this. Rod bearings go bad aswell”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw m3. While driving at 55 mph, the air conditioner stopped functioning and the odor of burning plastic entered the cabin. The contact disconnected the fuses to the air conditioner to correct the failure. Reeves import motorcars dealer located in tampa, florida was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. *tt *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw m3. The contact received notification NHTSA campaign number 16v071000 (air bags), however the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact called the stevens creeks bmw (4343 stevens creek blvd st clara ca 95051 800-298-1501) and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was aware of the issue and were not able to confirm when the parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw m3. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system) was received in november of 2017. After contacting the dealer (bmw of hudson valley, 2068 south rd, poughkeepsie, ny) and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed to remedy the defect would not be available until april of 2019. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 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 2011 BMW M3 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 BMW M3. The most complained-about area is engine (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 BMW M3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 43,300 miles or less.
Does the 2011 BMW M3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. 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.