BMW · M3 · 2010
4
Recalls
15
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2010 BMW M3 has 4 recalls and 15 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (8 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2010 BMW M3 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 8 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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 Status
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 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 Status
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 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 Status
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 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 Status
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.
Parked on a slight hill, shifted out of drive and applied the ebrake by pulling up firmly. Unbucked my seat belt, opened the door, and got out of the vehicle. Left the door open to go in my house, grab my wallet, and come back. The car stayed in neutral instead of shifting int...
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. T...
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HEY MY NAME IS [XXX] , I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASE A USED BMW M3 FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP ON 06/11/17. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF USING THE CAR MY MOTOR GAVE A ROD KNOCK WHICH IS A COMMON KNOWN PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE DATABASE. I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. THIS HAPPENED TO BE ON...
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ROD BEARINGS FAILED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. MANY BMW M3'S SUFFER THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE TIGHTNESS OF THE ENGINE WHICH LEADS TO OIL STARVATION AND METAL SHAVINGS BEGIN TO DESTROY THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS, I START THE CAR TO DISC...
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THE OEM WIRING INSULATION IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAS FLAKED OFF. THE BARE WIRES CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHEN I REPLACED A LIGHT BULB. BMW SAYS THAT THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HOUSING FOR $2100. THIS WILL NEED TO BE DONE ON THE OTHER SIDE EVENTUALLY, AS THE I...
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TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMWNA IN MARCH 2016. MORE THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, THE PARTS IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE FROM TAKATA FOR RECALL WHEN I CALL THE BMW DEALERSHIP, I AM TOLD I WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER LETTER FROM BMWNA WHEN THE PARTS IS AVAILABLE. I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT...
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TAKATA RECALL BMW NOTIFIED US IN MARCH 2016 THAT IT WAS DOING A RECALL. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED US. I SENT THEM AND EMAIL TODAY AND GOT AN AUTOMATED RESPONSE SAYING, IN ESSENCE, THEY WOULD GET TO IT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. GIVEN THE DANGER AND RISK INVOLVED A SIX ...
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER...
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LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND A TICKING NOISE THAT WHINED UP WHEN ACCELERATED AND SLOWLY WHINED DOWN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. IT APPEARS TO BE BAD ROD BEARING AND IT OCCURRED WITHIN AN HOUR OF AN OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON ...
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TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RECALL IN MARCH 2016. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE AIRBAG REPLACED BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO SAYS PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE RECEIVED. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE DANGER OF THIS AIRBAG...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 15 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2010 BMW models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2010 BMW M3 has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 15 owner-reported complaints for the 2010 BMW M3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2010 BMW M3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2010 BMW M3 are air bags (8 reports), engine (3 reports), power train,engine (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2010 BMW M3. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.