repaired · 2021 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW M3, most often about the engine. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-071 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 5, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 BMW M3 has problems
31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
16Engine
7Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
6Air bags
4Power train
2Service brakes
2Structure
1Steering
1Visibility
1Vehicle speed control
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 1 |
| Air bags | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2011 BMW M3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Electrical system
Risk. A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other M3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 BMW M3 safety ratings
2011 BMW M3 4 DR RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 BMW M3, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Starting from a traffic light at Woodlands Parkway and Gosling Road in the Woodlands, TX - Vehicle accelerated normally during shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd - Engine RPM went to ZERO and vehicle suddenly lost all power and died. There was a large Ford F150 behind the…
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…
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AND PULLED TO A STOP SIGN. I GAVE MY CAR A FEW REVS JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO CHECK OUT, SO I CONTINUE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT…
Own a 2011 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.