2011 BMW M3
4 recall campaigns and 22 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2011 BMW M3; the recalls concern air bags and electrical system.
The component named most often is engine: 384.6 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 118.1 per 1,000 across all 2011 model-year vehicles and against 99.4 per 1,000 for the BMW M3 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 11.6 complaints per model year across the 33 BMW M3 model years on this register; 0 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2014 (6); the most recent in the file is dated 4 Dec 2018.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC; components: electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables; electrical system.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2011 BMW M3 (black) against all 2011 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2011 | M3 line | All 2011 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 384.6 | 99.4 | 118.1 |
| Air Bags | 192.3 | 192.4 | 124.4 |
| Electrical System | 153.8 | 52.9 | 132.1 |
| Power Train | 115.4 | 236.8 | 91.7 |
| Structure | 76.9 | 50.7 | 42.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 38.5 | 25.4 | 44.6 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 384.6 | 99.4 | 118.1 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 192.3 | 192.4 | 124.4 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 153.8 | 52.9 | 132.1 |
| Power Train | 3 | 115.4 | 236.8 | 91.7 |
| Structure | 2 | 76.9 | 50.7 | 42.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 38.5 | 25.4 | 44.6 |
| Visibility | 1 | 38.5 | 48.6 | 10.3 |
22 unique complaints, 26 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Engineering analysis | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture | air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module | 17 Sep 2021 | open | — |
Other BMW M3 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 NHTSA | 1 | 2 | 375,000 |
| 1989 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1990 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1991 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1992 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1993 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1994 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1995 | 4 | 11 | 987,000 |
| 1996 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 410,000 |
| 1997 | 2 | 19 | 426,749 |
| 1998 NHTSA | 1 | 14 | 16,749 |
| 1999 NHTSA | 1 | 11 | 16,749 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | 523,065 |
| 2001 | 4 | 14 | 1,099,510 |
| 2002 | 5 | 36 | 1,559,511 |
| 2003 | 5 | 49 | 1,342,494 |
| 2004 | 3 | 29 | 1,286,190 |
| 2005 | 3 | 12 | 1,286,190 |
| 2006 | 5 | 13 | 2,049,120 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 1,602,930 |
| 2008 | 5 | 77 | 1,622,071 |
| 2009 | 5 | 43 | 1,622,071 |
| 2010 | 4 | 14 | 1,619,571 |
| 2011 | 4 | 22 | 1,619,571 |
| 2012 | 3 | 5 | 916,606 |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 | 899,965 |
| 2014 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 5,761 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 5,999 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 2,899 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 2,857 |
| 2018 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 22,442 |
| 2023 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 120 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All BMW M3 model years · BMW: 250 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW M3 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 20V017000, was reported to NHTSA on 15 Jan 2020 and concerns air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Across all model years the BMW M3 line has 26 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2011 BMW M3?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2011 BMW M3 complain about most?
Engine: 10 of 26 component mentions (384.6 per 1,000). Next is air bags with 5. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.