BMW 3 Series years to avoid
More than twice the 3 Series's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best BMW 3 Series years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
BMW 3 Series complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common BMW 3 Series problems
All model years combined.
- Airbags259
- Electrical147
- Lights100
- Engine99
- Transmission68
- Body65
- Fuel system53
- Steering49
- Locks49
- Visibility31
- Brakes31
- Seat belts30
Most reported problems on the BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 84 | 21 | Electrical | 4,000 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 92 | 7 | Engine | 51,279 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 95 | 1 | Engine | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | 79 | 30 | Airbags | 60,000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 51 | 53 | Airbags | 68,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 52 | 68 | Electrical | 55,000 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 32 | 115 | Airbags | 62,347 | 1 | 6 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 12 | 202 | Airbags | 67,000 | 3 | 6 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 76 | 25 | Airbags | 70,000 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 48 | 77 | Lights | 80,450 | 0 | 1 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 50 | 73 | Lights | 77,217 | 0 | 3 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 81 | 26 | Airbags | 92,000 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 75 | 36 | Airbags | 119,200 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2000 | - | 88 | Transmission | 96,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1999 | - | 6 | Airbags | 150,000 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998 | - | 3 | Airbags | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1997 | - | 5 | Airbags | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1996 | - | 2 | Airbags | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1995 | - | 3 | Brakes | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1994 | - | 1 | Suspension | 0 | 0 |
Recalls 8
BMW 3 Series warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
Questions about the BMW 3 Series
What years of the BMW 3 Series should you avoid?
2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Each has more than twice the BMW 3 Series's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2006 alone has 202, mostly about airbags and electrical.
What is the best year for a used BMW 3 Series?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the BMW 3 Series?
Airbags, with 259 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (147) and lights (100).
How many recalls does the BMW 3 Series have?
8 recalls between 1994 and 2013. The 2012 model year has the most, with 3.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used BMW 3 Series?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history