BMW M3 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the BMW M3 across 19 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (37). The words owners use most often: “dct transmission” (26% of reports).
- 116power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 18%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Dct transmission: mentioned in 30 of 116 complaints (26%)
- Occurs you slow: mentioned in 9 of 116 complaints (8%)
- Like turn come: mentioned in 9 of 116 complaints (8%)
- Figuring gear: mentioned in 9 of 116 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 99 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 116 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
BMW M3 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 M3 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2022 M3 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2018 M3 | 1 | 11% | 8,000 |
| 2017 M3 | 1 | 33% | 53,000 |
| 2016 M3 | 1 | 20% | 48,234 |
| 2013 M3 | 3 | 23% | 46,590 |
| 2011 M3 | 4 | 13% | 27,000 |
| 2010 M3 | 2 | 13% | 58,000 |
| 2009 M3 | 24 | 53% | 1,650 |
| 2008 M3 | 37 | 45% | 6,400 |
| 2006 M3 | 2 | 14% | 66,000 |
| 2005 M3 | 2 | 17% | 84,000 |
| 2004 M3 | 6 | 19% | 68,750 |
| 2003 M3 | 14 | 26% | 65,952 |
| 2002 M3 | 8 | 20% | 45,000 |
| 2001 M3 | 4 | 29% | 87,855 |
| 1999 M3 | 1 | 9% | 50,000 |
| 1998 M3 | 3 | 21% | 40,100 |
| 1997 M3 | 1 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2016, 2017
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
Risk: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
Risk: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power train:clutch assembly
Model years: 2008, 2009
Problem: Bmw is recalling 2,500 my 2008-2009 m3 passenger vehicles with an optional double clutch transmission. The problem involves the double clutch gearbox. In a situation of rapid vehicle deceleration, the transmission software may perform a multistage downshift.
Risk: In that situation, at low vehicle speeds, it is possible for the engine to stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine and transmission electronic control unit with updated software free of charge. The recall began on december 3, 2008. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am reporting a safety-related failure involving the clutch system on my 2022 BMW M3. At approximately 26,000 miles when I purchased, I began experiencing clutch-related issues, including slipping and abnormal engagement. I brought the vehicle to the BMW dealership on two separate occasions to…
Car was parked and turned off in our driveway and it rolled backwards down the driveway and into the street
The contact owns a 2017 BMW M3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle failed to operate as designed, without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that 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…
I initially experienced abrupt catastrophic clutch failure this past december 2019 when without any prior warning. I depressed the clutch and it failed to release leaving the vehicle in gear. Fortunately i was on a secondary road in 2nd gear and was able to bring the car a stop and then pushed it…
Frequently asked questions
Do all BMW M3s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 116 owner complaints about power train for the BMW M3. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the BMW M3 power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the BMW M3?
The most frequent phrase is “dct transmission”, in 30 of 116 complaints, followed by “occurs you slow” (9).
Other BMW M3 problems
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