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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 BMW M3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
23%of 13 total for the year
Median mileage
46,590miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 BMW M3, 23% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,590 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.

“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

“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

“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

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018111%
2016120%
2013323%
2011413%
2010213%
20092453%
20083745%
2006214%
2005217%
2004619%
20031426%
2002820%
2001429%
199919%
1998321%
199715%

Other parts of the 2013 BMW M3

Air bags
7 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 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