RoadVitals

2023 BMW M3

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
1
Latest Jun 26, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 23, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2023 BMW M3, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)1100.0%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V118000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Feb 23, 2023
120 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
The risk: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2025
Crash reported

Car was parked and turned off in our driveway and it rolled backwards down the driveway and into the street

NHTSA ID
11669571
Incident
Jun 26, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B410725

STRUCTURE:BODY

While driving on a smooth and/or unevenroad, a “cracking” sound is heard from therear wheel arch area (highlighted in orange) on either the right or left side.

B840625

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

In some situations, an emergency call may be triggered in the vehicle without either the customer pressing the SOS Call button, or an airbag deployment event. In some cases, the customer may not even be inside the vehicle.

B512222

STRUCTURE:BODY

Hood lever is pulled twice but the hood only achieves the pre-latch position on both sides.

B410725

STRUCTURE:BODY

While driving on a smooth and/or uneven road, a “cracking” sound is heard from the rear wheel arch area (highlighted in orange) on either the right or left side.

B120125

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EMISSIONS RECALL 25E-A03: PROGRAM CONTOL UNITS (DME)

B640422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in thecenter of the instrument panel. The groaning noise always occurs when either a ventilation flap, air stratification flap or the recirculated airflap moves to a different position. Due to the complex design of the heating and air-conditioning unit, the kinematics causing it (top or bottom,left or right) may not be able to be precisely located. Depending on the vehicle model, the number of servomotors (and the associated kinematics unit) varies.Various models use either 2 or 3 servomotors.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW M3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025200—
2024000—
2023Viewing110—
2022100—
2021330—
2018800—
2017320—
2016530—
2015430—
2014010—
2013132153.8
2012631—
2011314149.2
2010154151.3
2009455149.6
2008825155.2
2007031—
2006145249.5
2005123447.2
2004313459.0
2003545262.7
2002405257.0
2001144046.1
2000020—
1999111155.0
1998141042.5
1997192049.9
1996110—
1995124054.6
1994010—
1993011—
1992011—
1991011—
1990010—
1989010—
1988210—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.