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BMW M3Model year report

2011 BMW M3 Problems

Compared with other BMW M3 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
43,300miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW M3. The part named most often is engine, with 16 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and air bags (6). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,300 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 110 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fuses and circuit breakers and 40 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 BMW M3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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

Engine: “I was driving casually when the motor suddenly shut off. No noise indicating engine failure ever happened. I coasted off the road and tried to restart. Nothing but a click. Eventually tried replacing starter motor but that didn't work. No engine lights or codes ever popped up. Turns out engine seized due to failed rod bearings.”

NHTSA complaint #11269732, filed 2019-10, 107,000 miles

Electrical system: “I was driving on the freeway accelerating when I hit approximately 75 MPH my car was making a loud revving sound and metal clanking sound in middle and smoke was coming from the front and back of the vehicle very thick white smoke all of a sudden my car slowed down and all the lights were blinking on the dash almost got into accidents while cars avoid hitting! My car wasn't going over 5 10 MPH there was so much smoke was getting worried,some how I managed to exit the freeway and parked I was told my english was blown! …”

NHTSA complaint #11390611, filed 2021-01, 52,000 miles

Air bags: “Between 11/04/16 and 11/08/16 I left my vehicle with reeves Bmw dealership in tampa, fl for the takata airbag recall which they told me they completed. I continued to get warning letters from the NHTSA for this recall and recently I brought my car to a different Bmw dealership which told me the reeves Bmw dealership reported they completed the work and my airbag could not be changed under the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11355276, filed 2020-09, 65,699 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “2011 Bmw dct M3 engine turns off by it self while driving through intersection. Transmission goes into neutral. N pops up on the center cockpit. Steering wheel lock. Brakes work. Had to maintain foot on brakes. Have to push engine start button. Car starts up again. Engine stalling and shutting off is a safety hazard, especially if the car is in motion. Could cause death to end users or other people. Can cause property damages as well. This has happen twice within a 8 week period. …”

NHTSA complaint #10661151, filed 2014-11, 44,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

62% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,150 and 63,850 miles.

14%0–105%10–2543%25–5029%50–755%75–1005%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 43,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20126201520176201920212023
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 2011 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 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142016$5,150
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142116$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Sedan RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142116$5,150
M3 Sedan RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150

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 2011 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. 110 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 110 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 2011 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 16 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.

Has the 2011 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 BMW M3 (M3 Convertible, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,300 miles and the middle half falls between 35,150 and 63,850 miles; 62% 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.