There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2010 BMW M3in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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 THE WAY FROM FLORIDA WHICH WAS 500 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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 DISCOVER A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. UPON CHECKING THE OIL, I HAVE FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL.
2010 E92 55K MILES (88K KM) THE CAR IS UNMODIFIED. THE CAR HAS A FULL SERVICE HISTORY. THE VEHICLE NEVER TRACKED - ALMOST ALL TRAVEL DURING MY OWNERSHIP WERE HIGHWAY MILES (23K). THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 1 ROD BEARING. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A WET SINGLE LANE ROAD IN POOR WEATHER. I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WHEN VEHICLES FOLLOWING ME WERE CAUGHT UNAWARES BY MY UNEXPECTED DECELERATION. THE WAS LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH SAFETY DUE TO THE CONDITIONS. I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHICH MADE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026