2010 BMW 3 Series Problems
Compared with other BMW 3 Series years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
31/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.6× that of a typical BMW 3 Series year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 7 of its 30 complaints were filed by the end of 2012.
- Most reported part: Air bags (10 complaints, median 72,500 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 59,256miles, 20 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 BMW 3 Series (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 3 Series. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine (6) and electrical system (5). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,256 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 119 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 BMW 3 Series model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 31 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags10 33%
- Engine6 20%
- Electrical system5 17%
- Fuel system3 10%
- Exterior lighting2 6.7%
- Tires2 6.7%
- Brakes1 3.3%
- Engine cooling1 3.3%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Driving from work on a snowing day, going about 25 to 35. The rear of the car started going to the other side of lane. I traded to get control but it was to late. I hit a guard rail and the air bags never came out.”
NHTSA complaint #10702037, filed 2015-03, 85,178 milesEngine: “I was driving on the highway 295 around 67 MPH. While I was on the highway about 10 minutes I felt a loss of speed about five times. It feel like I let go the gas pedal, but I never did. And suddenly the car stalled while I was on 67 MPH. I try to pulled to the right side lane of the highway. I try to start the car back up but it won't start. I keep tryin for about ten times and it about half an hour went by it start back up again.”
NHTSA complaint #10672035, filed 2015-01, 66,000 milesElectrical system: “Noticed the passenger side blinker started to blink quickly. The brakes and tail lights use a bulb while the blinker has approximately 15 leds. Therefore the entire light assembly has to be replaced. Several of the leds do not light up and the ones that do are dim. Two weeks later the driver side blinker did the same thing. This concerns me as another driver may not be aware that I am turning until it is to late.”
NHTSA complaint #10597574, filed 2014-06, 61,500 milesFuel system: “Faulty fuel injectors. Known problem at Bmw and mechanics. Bmw has offered an limited warranty extension . Why wasn't it a full recall? My vehicle was not in an accident. I'm reporting it only as a concern.”
NHTSA complaint #11013535, filed 2017-08, 80,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
30% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 BMW 3 Series. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series · coupe RWD/4WD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | 5 · 9.3% risk |
| 3 Series · sedan RWD/4WD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | 4 · 10.3% risk |
| 3 Series Wagon · sedan RWD/4WD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | 4 · 10.3% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 23V707000Oct 20, 2023Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: BMW 3 Series 2010–2012, 1 Series 2010–2012, X5 2010–2011 +3 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4…
- 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)Covers: BMW 3 Series 2006–2012, Z4 2006–2011, 128I 2008–2013 +3 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i…
Recall details for the 2010 BMW 3 Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 119 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11027015Dec 2, 2025Engine. Gasket Return
- 11015849Mar 13, 2025Electrical system. The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first…
- 11014417Feb 20, 2025Electrical system. The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first…
- 11012322Dec 19, 2024Other or unknown. Screw Cap Return
- 11012321Dec 5, 2024Other or unknown. Socket Housing Return
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10240305Aug 2, 2023Equipment, Steering, Suspension. Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
- 10240273Jul 17, 2023Steering, Equipment, Suspension. This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
- 10240266Jul 14, 2023Steering, Suspension, Equipment. SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01…
Other model years of the BMW 3 Series
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 21 | 3,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2012 | 7 | 38,634 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 30 | 59,256 | 2 | — | — | 31 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 53 | 68,000 | 1 | — | — | 54 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 68 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 115 | 60,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 202 | 66,050 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 25 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 77 | 80,450 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 73 | 77,217 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 26 | 92,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 117,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 88 | 95,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 6 | 105,330 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | 67,600 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 3 Series model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 BMW 3 Series is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine with 6.
Has the 2010 BMW 3 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 BMW 3 Series reported?
Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,256 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 80,000 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.