RoadVitals

2011 BMW M3 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Sep 5, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW M3, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1639.0%
  • Electrical717.1%
  • Airbags614.6%
  • Powertrain (other)49.8%
  • Body & structure24.9%
  • Brakes24.9%
  • Visibility12.4%
  • Exterior lighting12.4%
  • Driver assistance12.4%
  • Steering12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Starting from a traffic light at Woodlands Parkway and Gosling Road in the Woodlands, TX - Vehicle accelerated normally during shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd - Engine RPM went to ZERO and vehicle suddenly lost all power and died. There was a large Ford F150 behind the car. Thankfully, I was watching the tachometer and coasted to the shoulder before attempting to shift back to 2 and try a rolling start at which point vehicle came to an abrupt and sudden stop. Car was towed to an approved mechanic and was diagnosed as "another seized S65" engine. OPINION of Expert engine builders and bearing manufacturers is that the original BMW S65 bearing dimensions result in inadequate journal clearance and has been thoroughly documented. This, coupled with any potential "tolerance stacking" (- clearance) can result in a final bearing clearance which is significantly tighter than ideal and is the reason why we have seen engines fail after only a few thousand miles. This was half a second or less from being a fatal accident.

NHTSA ID 11542797 · filed Sep 5, 2023

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! MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE ONLY DROVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES NIGHTMARE 2011 BMW M3

NHTSA ID 11390611 · filed Jan 29, 2021
All 16 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When I put the battery terminals after swapping a new battery, my FRM got damaged. No brake or head lights are working, no turn signals, no windows moving etc. It's a safety issue on the road

NHTSA ID 11489153 · filed Oct 13, 2022

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! MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE ONLY DROVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES NIGHTMARE 2011 BMW M3

NHTSA ID 11390611 · filed Jan 29, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. I TOOK MY AIRBAG OFF THE STEERING COLUMN AND PHOTOGRAPHED THE LABEL ON THE BACK WHICH SHOWS THE AIRBAG INSTALLED IN MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN MAY 2010 WHICH IS PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BATCH AND WAS PRIOR TO THE ASSEMBLY OF MY CAR AT THE FACTORY. I AM VERY ANGRY THIS RECALL WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED BY REEVES BMW DEALERSHIP AS I WAS TOLD AND THAT I HAVE BEEN PLACED AT UNNECESSARY RISK FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED SO THAT I AM NO LONGER AT RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY AS BMW APPARENTLY HAS MY VEHICLE INCORRECTLY MARKED OFF AS RECALL COMPLETED AND WILL NOT COMPLETE THE RECALL WORK. I'VE ATTACHED AN IMAGE OF THE LABEL ON THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR AND THE PAPERWORK FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS NOT DONE. THANK YOU FOR THE HELP.

NHTSA ID 11355276 · filed Sep 15, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE STEVENS CREEKS BMW (4343 STEVENS CREEK BLVD ST CLARA CA 95051 800-298-1501) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11052621 · filed Dec 5, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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! MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE ONLY DROVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES NIGHTMARE 2011 BMW M3

NHTSA ID 11390611 · filed Jan 29, 2021

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. MOST RECENTLY ON NOV 26,2014 APPROXIMATELY 430PM BMW "AUTO START STOP FUNCTION" RULED OUT BECAUSE THE LED LIGHT ABOVE THE BUTTON IS LIT, FUNCTION IS DISABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10661151 · filed Nov 27, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE WAIT FOR PARTS MIGHT BE LONGER THAN A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.

NHTSA ID 10648386 · filed Oct 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ID 10648377 · filed Oct 17, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When I put the battery terminals after swapping a new battery, my FRM got damaged. No brake or head lights are working, no turn signals, no windows moving etc. It's a safety issue on the road

NHTSA ID 11489153 · filed Oct 13, 2022

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AND PULLED TO A STOP SIGN. I GAVE MY CAR A FEW REVS JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO CHECK OUT, SO I CONTINUE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH AND STRAIGHT, THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN, AND THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THANKFULLY I MANAGE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT'S BECOME APPARENT THIS VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY KNOWN TO DO THIS. ROD BEARINGS AND MAIN BEARINGS HAVE CAUSED THESE MOTORS TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING, AND BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE FROM THIS ISSUE, BUT IT'S SAD ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS DOLLARS AND CENTS.

NHTSA ID 11322610 · filed Apr 29, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC ENTERED THE CABIN. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE FUSES TO THE AIR CONDITIONER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. REEVES IMPORT MOTORCARS DEALER LOCATED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID 11073899 · filed Feb 20, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

When I put the battery terminals after swapping a new battery, my FRM got damaged. No brake or head lights are working, no turn signals, no windows moving etc. It's a safety issue on the road

NHTSA ID 11489153 · filed Oct 13, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN- LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE ONSET OF POWER- UP TO 2-3 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, THE DRIVER IS USUALLY REALLY DIGGING INTO THE THROTTLE. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD, SOMETIMES INVOKING THE ANTI-SKIP CONTROL. THE DANGER IN THIS BEHAVIOR OCCURS WHEN MAKING A TURN INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 10-15 MPH. AFTER THE TURN, THE CAR IS POSITIONED IN THE TRAFFIC LANE, BUT YOU HAVE NO POWER TO ACCELERATE INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE ONCOMING CARS ARE NOW CLOSING IN ON YOUR CAR AT A FAST RATE, AND YOU'RE BASICALLY STUCK. THIS SITUATION IS MOST PRONOUNCED IN THE "AUTO" MODE OF THE DCT TRANSMISSION, BUT ALSO OCCURS TO A LESSER DEGREE WHILE IN THE MANUAL MODE WHEN YOU SELECT SECOND GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR THE TURN. IT IS ALSO VERY REPEATABLE IN BOTH MODES. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AFTER A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION WHERE THE ENGINE WOULD STALL UNDER HARD BRAKING OR NOT SHIFT UNDER HARD BRAKING. THE RECALL FIXED THAT PROBLEM, BUT INTRODUCED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY WHEREAS THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED DURING A SPECIFIC SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10479293 · filed Oct 8, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AND PULLED TO A STOP SIGN. I GAVE MY CAR A FEW REVS JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO CHECK OUT, SO I CONTINUE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH AND STRAIGHT, THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN, AND THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THANKFULLY I MANAGE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT'S BECOME APPARENT THIS VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY KNOWN TO DO THIS. ROD BEARINGS AND MAIN BEARINGS HAVE CAUSED THESE MOTORS TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING, AND BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE FROM THIS ISSUE, BUT IT'S SAD ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS DOLLARS AND CENTS.

NHTSA ID 11322610 · filed Apr 29, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .