2011 BMW M3 US Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW M3 US (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW M3 US. The part named most often is engine, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 121 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Engine4 40%
- Air bags3 30%
- Electrical system2 20%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
Example complaints
Engine: “I was driving my vehicle under normal conditions traveling around 45mph. As I switched gears from 2nd to 3rd I noticed an immediate loss of power. My vehicle automatically shut off. I pulled over to the side of the road and was not able to restart my car. After the dealership checked the car they said there was an engine failure most likely due to rod bearing failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10779796, filed 2015-10, 48,000 milesAir bags: “I have been trying to get the airbag recall fixed but my Bmw dealership has continued to say they have not received any of the repair kits. I have been waiting almost a year and am not comfortable driving this car in its present condition. Recall notice was sent to me feb 2016.”
NHTSA complaint #10934268, filed 2016-12Transmission and drivetrain: “My car was in second wasn't speeding on a local street as I put it in 3rd gear my car shut off there was no sign of anything wrong with the car it would not start back up. I took it to Bmw since I have warranty for 3 yeas mind you I only had this car for 5 months I got the car from the dealership in tenafly,nj I got the car at 31k miles on it and when my car last work which was last week it has 36k there telling I have to pay 26k up to fix .”
NHTSA complaint #10641539, filed 2014-10, 36,000 milesElectrical system: “As I was driving in the third lane at 70 MPH my entire electricity to the car shut off . With three children in the car and no time to get over I almost got hit . After being stuck in the middle of several high speeding car. It suddenly came on again. This is not the first time ,just the dangerous moment. Took it to the dealer they said it was the battery, replaced it an this happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10882151, filed 2016-07, 70,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
57% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 50,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW M3 US in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 121 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 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…
- 10244237Oct 13, 2023Brakes. Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
- 10211864Mar 1, 2022Electrical system. The footwell module (FRM) cannot be encoded after replacement.
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Steering, Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with…
- 10170574Dec 1, 2019Engine. SERVICE ACTION: N54T ENGINE - INSPECT AND REPLACE INJECTOR(S). The piezo-type fuel injectors may cause a rough running at start-up or rough running while at idle.
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018Electrical system, Air bags. For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
- 10145331Jul 1, 2018Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles:
- 10145320Jul 1, 2018Equipment. CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION: ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative.
Other model years of the BMW M3 US
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 10 | 48,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 BMW M3 US have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW M3 US as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 BMW M3 US is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.
Has the 2011 BMW M3 US been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 BMW M3 US reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 50,000 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.