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BMW M3Model year report

2001 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
54,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
43 do-not-drive
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
17 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW M3. The part named most often is body and structure, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and engine cooling (3). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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

Body and structure: “Passenger door cannot be opened either from insider or outside. Appears like the door is double locked. Luckily both doors are not double locked with passenger inside the vehicle. Possible failure of lock actuator without warning or failure of gm5 module”

NHTSA complaint #10619015, filed 2014-08, 155,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “My M3 cic makes a loud grinding/clatter type noise when disengaging the 6-speed manual clutch in both 1st and reverse. This happens when the car is moving at about 1-2 MPH. Bmw tech's say this is normal operation, however, I can't duplicate the same problem on a new M3 w/6 speed transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #10102760, filed 2004-12, 46,710 miles

Engine cooling: “The engine of the Bmw 2001 M3 had serious engine failures. The request from the Bmw dealership on explaination was rejected, nor was there any explaination from the consumer relations of Bmw na. The failure was convered under warranty but I was told my vehicle was the only abnormal car in thousands that were sold. From my research there were more than 100 documented cases of the new e46 M3 engine having problems ranging from crankshaft failure to full engine detonation and oil spillage. …”

NHTSA complaint #10000101, filed 2002-12, 21,000 miles

Suspension: “Inspection by two mechanics shows cracks in the subframe holding the back wheels. There was a legal case involving this defect that was settled by Bmw which was to fix the problem and notify all owners of 3 series Bmw's about the defect so it could be fixed. They never informed me of defect and have staled on the repair.”

NHTSA complaint #10860335, filed 2016-04, 129,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

44% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 129,000 miles.

0%0–1022%10–2522%25–5011%50–7511%75–10011%100–15022%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2001200242004200920102011201420162018
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 2001 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-cyl6-speed manual152217$4,850
M3 Convertible RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual142117$4,850

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 2001 BMW M3 → · 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. 22 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 22 bulletins →

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 2001 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.

Has the 2001 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 BMW M3 (M3, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 129,000 miles; 44% 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.