BMW M3 Recalls (2021, 2023)

What recalls does the BMW M3 have?

• 2023 BMW 330I Body Control Module Software Recall (23V118)
  February 23, 2023 · 120 vehicles · Electrical System

  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.

  Risk: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 230I Seat Belt Recall (21V554)
  July 21, 2021 · 21,537 vehicles · Seat Belts

  The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 330I Seat Belt Buckle Recall (21V298)
  April 28, 2021 · 12 vehicles · Seat Belts

  The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.

  Risk: An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 840I Brake Hydraulic Recall (21V062)
  February 10, 2021 · 893 vehicles · Brakes

  The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.

  Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge.

Which M3 parts are recalled most?

Which M3 model years have the most recalls?

How do I check my M3 for open recalls?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 4 BMW M3 campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.

What are M3 owners reporting?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.

Can a recall make your M3 a lemon in California?

A recall alone does not make a BMW M3 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act looks at whether a warranty defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety and was not fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Most are single-repair campaigns, but repeat visits for any covered defect still count.

Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.

More BMW M3 lemon law pages

All BMW recalls

Other BMW models with recalls

• 228I: 5 recalls
• 228I Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• 228I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 228I Xdrive Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• 230I: 7 recalls
• 3 Series: 1 recall
• 330E: 7 recalls
• 330I: 11 recalls
• 330I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 4 Series: 1 recall
• 430I: 11 recalls
• 430I Convertible: 1 recall
• 430I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 5 Series: 1 recall
• 530E: 2 recalls
• 530I: 15 recalls
• 530I Xdrive: 4 recalls
• 540I: 7 recalls
• 540I Xdrive: 4 recalls
• 550E: 1 recall
• 550E Xdrive: 2 recalls
• 740I: 11 recalls
• 740I Xdrive: 2 recalls
• 740LI: 5 recalls
• 740XI: 1 recall
• 745E: 1 recall
• 745LE: 4 recalls
• 750E: 3 recalls
• 750E Xdrive: 6 recalls
• 750LI: 3 recalls
• 760I: 8 recalls
• 760I Xdrive: 3 recalls
• 8 Series: 1 recall
• 840I: 6 recalls
• 840I Xdrive: 1 recall
• Alpina B8: 1 recall
• Alpina XB7: 1 recall
• B7 Alpina: 1 recall
• I4: 11 recalls
• I4 EDRIVE35: 1 recall
• I4 EDRIVE40: 2 recalls
• I4 M50: 2 recalls
• I5: 7 recalls
• I5 EDRIVE40: 3 recalls
• I5 M60: 2 recalls
• I5 M60 Xdrive: 3 recalls
• I5 XDRIVE40: 2 recalls
• I7: 12 recalls
• I7 EDRIVE50: 3 recalls
• I7 M70: 3 recalls
• I7 M70 Xdrive: 4 recalls
• I7 XDRIVE60: 3 recalls
• IX: 12 recalls
• M2: 3 recalls
• M235I: 2 recalls
• M235I Xdrive Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• M240I: 4 recalls
• M3: 4 recalls
• M340I: 7 recalls
• M4: 3 recalls
• M440I: 7 recalls
• M5: 3 recalls
• M5 Sportswagon: 1 recall
• M550I: 3 recalls
• M760I: 2 recalls
• M760LI: 1 recall
• M8: 3 recalls
• M850I: 3 recalls
• X1: 11 recalls
• X2: 6 recalls
• X3: 24 recalls
• X4: 14 recalls
• X5: 27 recalls
• X5 Hybrid: 1 recall
• X5 Plug-IN Hybrid: 2 recalls
• X6: 17 recalls
• X7: 22 recalls
• XB7: 1 recall
• XM: 9 recalls
• Z4: 7 recalls

Frequently asked questions about BMW M3 recalls