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BMW M3Model year report

2013 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
24,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2013 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2013 BMW M3. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine (4) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 104 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins 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: “Takata recall. Reasonable time has passed since the airbag recall. But I have not heard as to when this safety issue will be resolved.every time I drive the car I feel I am risking my life or chance for serious injury. Bmw has been completely negligent with regards to resolving this issue. Bmw should temporarily remedy the situation by replacing the car with a similar vehicle. I need this to be resolved now!!!. Also the drive train has a clunking noise of which I have been complaining since new. They have made temporary adjustment but the problem still surfaces. …”

NHTSA complaint #11000438, filed 2017-06, 7 miles

Engine: “While driving on surface street at approx 35mph I was forced to swerve due to being cut off by an adjacent wreckless vehicle. My 2013 Bmw e93, with just over 43,000 miles, and which I had purchased less than 30 days prior, immediately shut down entirely without warning. I was literally left in the middle of a busy street with zero functionality. From electrical to every aspect of mechanical, there was no warning, no function of any kind. …”

NHTSA complaint #11000637, filed 2017-06, 46,590 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I initially experienced abrupt catastrophic clutch failure this past december 2019 when without any prior warning. I depressed the clutch and it failed to release leaving the vehicle in gear. Fortunately I was on a secondary road in 2nd gear and was able to bring the car a stop and then pushed it to the side of the road. The car was towed to morristown Bmw in morristown nj. Bmw na agreed to provide the parts and the clutch was repaired. Unfortunately, last week I again experienced the exact same issue without warning. I am now told that the master cylinder needs to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11330176, filed 2020-06, 55,000 miles

Electrical system: “There is a burning smell when I run my A/C. I took it to mechanic and they stated it's an issue with the blower motor wiring, which is covered under recall. But I checked the recall notice and it only covers my vehicle up to 2011, but mine is a 2013. However, the blower motor parts in my car are exactly the same as the 2011, so I feel it should be a part of the recall. I am afraid to drive my car with A/C because something is going to catch fire and I have no idea what has already burned so far.”

NHTSA complaint #11416316, filed 2021-05, 49,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,000 and 49,000 miles.

30%0–1020%10–2530%25–5010%50–7510%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 24,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2016201752018202020212024
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 2013 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

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 2013 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. 104 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 104 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 2013 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2013 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2013 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 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 2013 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,000 and 49,000 miles; 80% 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.