1999 BMW M3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 45%of 11 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 BMW M3, 45% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Air bag warning light is on. Diagnosis: passenger air bag electronics are faulty and need to be replaced. Cost to repair is over $500 per dealer. Bmw should have a recall for this but they do not show this with my VIN. Please help. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10680819, filed 2015-02, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 99V063001Nov 15, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags…Covers: BMW M3 1997–1999
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 54% |
| 2012 | 4 | 67% |
| 2011 | 6 | 19% |
| 2010 | 8 | 53% |
| 2009 | 8 | 18% |
| 2008 | 9 | 11% |
| 2006 | 9 | 64% |
| 2005 | 4 | 33% |
| 2004 | 9 | 29% |
| 2003 | 15 | 28% |
| 2002 | 7 | 18% |
| 2001 | 1 | 7% |
| 1999 | 5 | 45% |
| 1998 | 2 | 14% |
| 1997 | 3 | 16% |
| 1995 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1999 BMW M3
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW M3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology