Skip to content
BMW M3Model year report

1999 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
61,800miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW M3. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and tires (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,800 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The material used on the Bmw steering wheel melts at the touch of sunlight- doesn't have to be a hot temperature. The melting of the steering wheel restricts me from using the horn and could very well have affected the airbag and/or deployment of the airbag. Also, it's sticky, my fingerprints and sleeve from my shirt are imprinted on the steering wheel...my long hair has been stuck on it. I'm afraid to touch the wheel- it nearly drips. What is this material? What's going on? Nothing was put on the steering wheel to cause this. …”

NHTSA complaint #10650645, filed 2014-10, 95,000 miles

Brakes: “The distance between the brake pedal and the gas pedal is too close and poses a danger when moving from the gas pedal to the brake. Your foot can become entangled under the brake pedal.”

NHTSA complaint #10322398, filed 2010-03, 40,000 miles

Tires: “Tl * - the contact owns a 1999 Bmw M3. The vehicle was purchased on january 21, 2007, with 2 bald rear tires. The dealer has not agreed to replace the tires. Bridgestone, potenza , DOT # emh8cka. The contact thought the size was 18. The contact has not experienced any failures at this time. However, he received a citation for having bald tires, and was told it was against the law to sell a vehicle with bald tires for safety reasons.”

NHTSA complaint #10181344, filed 2007-02

Engine cooling: “The contact stated while driving, the oil light came on and the engine made a grinding noise. The contact pulled over and checked the oil. The oil was full. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined an oil pan nut fell off into the oil pan causing an oil pump failure which burn the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealership three days prior to this incident for regular maintenance, including an oil change. Updated 02/21/06.”

NHTSA complaint #10148358, filed 2006-01, 13,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 95,000 miles.

0%0–1017%10–2517%25–5033%50–7517%75–10017%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 61,800 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

19992200120022004220062007201020142015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1999 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$3,350
M3 Convertible RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$3,350
M3 Convertible RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152318$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1999 BMW M3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 1999 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 BMW M3 (M3, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,800 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 95,000 miles; 33% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.