BMW 3 Series recalls and safety
8 recalls · crash ratings 2016-2022 · 849 owner complaints
8
recalls
8
recalls
The BMW 3 Series has 8 recalls covering 1.29 million vehicles as reported; model year 2012 is covered by the most (3). The 2022 BMW 3 Series earned 5 of 5 stars overall in crash tests (best version).
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
8
Most for 2012: 3
Units affected
1.29M
As reported
Overall stars
5 of 5
Model year 2022
Complaints, 12 mo
0
To Sep 2026
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
20 rated versions, model years 2008 to 2022
Overall stars by model year
The best and lowest overall rating of the versions tested each year (5 is best).
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 DR · AWD | 9.2% risk | |||
| 2022 | 4 DR · RWD | 9.2% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · AWD | 9.2% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · RWD | 9.2% risk | |||
| 2019 | SW · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · RWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2018 | SW · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · RWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2017 | SW · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · RWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2016 | SW · AWD | 9.5% risk | |||
| 2010 | 2 DR · RWD/4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 9.3% risk |
| 2010 | 4 DR · RWD/4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 10.3% risk |
The 16 newest of 20 rated versions. Download the CSV for all of them, with the safety features.
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the BMW 3 Series, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
0 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Air bags259
- Electrical system148
- Exterior lighting101
- Engine75
- Power train68
- Structure66
- Latches/locks/linkages49
- Complaints
- 849
- Crashes reported
- 31
- Fires reported
- 18
- People injured
- 33
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the BMW 3 Series by component
- Air bags2 · 205K units
- Engine and engine cooling2 · 1.07M units
- Power train1 · 552 units
- Seat belts1 · 2,350 units
- Seats1 · 7,600 units
- Suspension1 · 25 units
BMW 3 Series recalls
Newest first
| Date | Recall | Hazard | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2023 | BMW 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 8 Series and 6 more (2023): Power trainNo. 23V821000 | Crash risk | 552 |
| Oct 20, 2023 | BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X3 and 2 more (2010-2012): Engine and engine coolingNo. 23V707000 | Crash risk | 157,796 |
| Mar 2, 2022 | BMW 128I, 3 Series, 5 Series, X3 SAV and 2 more (2006-2013): Engine and engine coolingNo. 22V119000 | Fire | 917,106 |
| May 27, 2021 | BMW 3 Series, 323CI, 323I, 325CI and 5 more (1999-2001): Air bagsNo. 21V401000 | Fire | 4,511 |
| Apr 20, 2012 | BMW 3 Series (2012): SeatsNo. 12V176000 | Crash risk | 7,600 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | BMW 1 Series, 3 Series (2008): Seat beltsNo. 09V257000 | Injury | 2,350 |
| Aug 5, 2008 | BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, X3 (2004-2006): Air bagsNo. 08V384000 | Crash risk | 200,000 |
| Oct 18, 2006 | BMW 3 Series (2006): SuspensionNo. 06V400000 | Crash risk | 25 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2023 BMW 3 Series recalled?
Yes: 1 recall covers the 2023 BMW 3 Series. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the BMW 3 Series have?
8 recalls cover the BMW 3 Series, for 1.29 million vehicles as reported. The most common problem is air bags (2 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2022 BMW 3 Series?
5 of 5 stars overall (4 DR): frontal crash 5, side crash 5 and rollover 5 stars, with a 9.2% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What do owners complain about most on the BMW 3 Series?
Air bags: named in 259 of the 849 safety complaints about the BMW 3 Series, then electrical system (148). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.