1999 BMW M3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 9%of 11 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 BMW M3, 9% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
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 manual transmission on my Bmw M3 has a defect. It involves the transmission sticking in 5th gear, especially when the weather is cold. This is a dangerous situation, because it compromises control of the car when shifting, leaving the operator wtihout full control of the car. This is a very common defect in 1999 m3s and many customers are experiencing a problem with this. Bmws fix is to replace the transmission, which is very expensive.”
NHTSA complaint #10053191, filed 2004-01, 50,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 3 | 23% |
| 2011 | 4 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 53% |
| 2008 | 37 | 45% |
| 2006 | 2 | 14% |
| 2005 | 2 | 17% |
| 2004 | 6 | 19% |
| 2003 | 14 | 26% |
| 2002 | 8 | 20% |
| 2001 | 4 | 29% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 21% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1999 BMW M3
5 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW M3
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology