2013 BMW M3 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 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
- Airbags741.2%
- Engine423.5%
- Powertrain (other)317.6%
- Electrical211.8%
- Fuel system15.9%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact filed the complaint on behalf of her son who owned a 2013 BMW M3. The contact stated the vehicle was parked in a school parking lot, and the contact's son was sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle when the vehicle was crashed into violently by four vehicles. The vehicle was damaged in the front end, passenger's side, and rear. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The son was forced out of the vehicle by the attackers and the occupants of all 4 vehicles inflicted bodily harm in addition to the unknown injuries sustained due to the crash. The son ran into the highway where the ambulance provided medical attention. The police department arrived at the scene however the son had fled from the scene due to being fearful for his safety; the attackers provided details for the police report. The contact stated that none of the air bags were deployed and that the vehicle remained in her possession. The repair shop was contacted and confirmed that the air bags were faulty however no further information was provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,838.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM WAS STRUCK BY THE AIR BAGS AND WAS INJURED BY METAL FRAGMENTS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER (MOTORWERKS BMW, 1300 AMERICAN BLVD W, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55420, (952)-888-2700) WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. USAA INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *DT*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. MY VEHICLES COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED FAILURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT REQUIRED MULTIPLE TOW TRUCKS IN ORDER TO LIFT THE REAR, AS IT HAD LOCKED UP ENTIRELY AND THE MOTOR SEIZED. UPON ARRIVING AT CENTER BMW (SHERMAN OAKS, CA), THEY CONFIRMED THE OBVIOUS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THEIR MASTER MECHANIC, SHAUN, VERIFIED THE OIL WAS FULL AND CLEAN, AND NOTED THEY TOO RECEIVED NO ERROR CODES OR IDICATORS OF ANY KIND UPON IN DEPTH INSPECTION. THIS BMW DEALERSHIP & SERVICE CENTER IS AS BEWILDERED AS I AM. BECAUSE I HAD LITERALLY JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, WITH A FULL WARRANTY, I NOTIFIED MY WARRANTY COMPANY RED AUTO WHOM SENT A 3RD PARTY INSPECTOR. WITHOUT ACTUALLY INSPECTING THE MOTOR, THE WARRANTY CO HAS DENIED MY CLAIM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER, CLAIMING IT IS A "PRE-EXISTING CONDITION" BASED ON ONLY REMOVING THE OIL PAN. HOWEVER, FINDINGS OF CENTER BMW'S MASTER MECHANIC DISPUTE THIS ENTIRELY. THIS REPORT, AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REPORT AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE (LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR) BOTH REFLECT THE VEHICLE AS WELL MAINTAINED PRIOR TO THIS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE SEIZE. I AM APPALLED TO HAVE A BASICALLY BRAND NEW BMW ENGINE IN COMPLETE FAILURE FOR NO ADVISABLE REASON. I AM WITHOUT VEHICLE AND WITH A $30,000 REPAIR ESTIMATE.
ROD BEARINGS. THERE IS CLICKING NOISE THAT I AM HEARING MORE AND MORE OFTEN. SINCE SUMMER OF LAST YEAR, I HAD HEARD SUBTLE CLICKING NOISES OCCASIONALLY WHICH I WASN'T ABLE TO LOCATE AT THE TIME AND HAD SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT PARK AVE BMW SERVICE ON OCTOBER 2016 TO GET MY CAR CHECKED FOR FEW REASONS. ONE OF THE REASONS INCLUDED THIS CLICKING NOISE WHICH I HAD MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE AGENT AND THAT HE WOULD GET THIS CHECKED OUT ALONG WITH THE OTHER SERVICE MAINTENANCE. AT THE END OF THE SERVICE, HE STATED THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AND THERE ISN'T ANY ISSUES. RECENTLY, I HAVE STARTED TO HEAR THE SAME CLICKING NOISE BUT LOUDER WHICH ALLOWED ME TO LOCATE THE SOUND COMING SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE A BMW SERVICE APPOINTMENT THIS SATURDAY TO GET IT CHECKED AGAIN TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY ISSUES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND GETTING POSSIBLE SUGGESTIONS OF THIS ISSUE, MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT IT COULD BE THE ROD BEARINGS OF THIS VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE UNTIL THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND UNABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT GETS CHECKED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO ASSIST ME ON THIS MATTER, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT AS I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT SPEED. I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES, THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY OTHER 2013 M3 ON THE ROAD WHO'S DRIVERS ARE AT RISK FOR SIMILAR ABRUPT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND BMW SHOULD BE CONTACTED TO COMMENT. *TR
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. MY VEHICLES COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED FAILURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT REQUIRED MULTIPLE TOW TRUCKS IN ORDER TO LIFT THE REAR, AS IT HAD LOCKED UP ENTIRELY AND THE MOTOR SEIZED. UPON ARRIVING AT CENTER BMW (SHERMAN OAKS, CA), THEY CONFIRMED THE OBVIOUS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THEIR MASTER MECHANIC, SHAUN, VERIFIED THE OIL WAS FULL AND CLEAN, AND NOTED THEY TOO RECEIVED NO ERROR CODES OR IDICATORS OF ANY KIND UPON IN DEPTH INSPECTION. THIS BMW DEALERSHIP & SERVICE CENTER IS AS BEWILDERED AS I AM. BECAUSE I HAD LITERALLY JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, WITH A FULL WARRANTY, I NOTIFIED MY WARRANTY COMPANY RED AUTO WHOM SENT A 3RD PARTY INSPECTOR. WITHOUT ACTUALLY INSPECTING THE MOTOR, THE WARRANTY CO HAS DENIED MY CLAIM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER, CLAIMING IT IS A "PRE-EXISTING CONDITION" BASED ON ONLY REMOVING THE OIL PAN. HOWEVER, FINDINGS OF CENTER BMW'S MASTER MECHANIC DISPUTE THIS ENTIRELY. THIS REPORT, AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REPORT AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE (LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR) BOTH REFLECT THE VEHICLE AS WELL MAINTAINED PRIOR TO THIS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE SEIZE. I AM APPALLED TO HAVE A BASICALLY BRAND NEW BMW ENGINE IN COMPLETE FAILURE FOR NO ADVISABLE REASON. I AM WITHOUT VEHICLE AND WITH A $30,000 REPAIR ESTIMATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN I GET A GREEN LIGHT, THE ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER BUT KEEPS RUNNING. BMW HAS NO IDEA AS NO CODES ARE BEING SAVED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE GENERAL MANAGER SAID IT PROBABLY COMPUTER PART BUT WE MAY NEVER KNOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN I GET A GREEN LIGHT, THE ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER BUT KEEPS RUNNING. BMW HAS NO IDEA AS NO CODES ARE BEING SAVED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE GENERAL MANAGER SAID IT PROBABLY COMPUTER PART BUT WE MAY NEVER KNOW.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .