Problems · NHTSA complaints
2020 BMW 3 Series problems
Owners filed 110 complaints about the 2020 BMW 3 Series with NHTSA between Feb 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (61).
Complaints
110
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine61
- Electrical system26
- Air bags5
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Lane departure3
- Power train3
- Tires3
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Structure2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Visibility2
- Wheels1
- Steering1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
4
1
12
17
28
43
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 43 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
61 reports2 fires1 related recall
“I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found in model years 2019–2021. These vehicles utilize a variable-displacement engine oil pump containing an internal thermoplastic adjusting component responsible for regulating oil pressure. Field failures are increasingly being reported in which this internal component fractures, resulting in sudden loss or instability of engine oil pressure. The failure frequently occurs during cold-start operation in low ambient temperatures. When the component fails, oil pressure regulation becomes erratic or is lost entirely. In many cases, drivers receive little or no actionable warning prior to engine damage or vehicle disablement. Reported precursor symptoms include inability to electronically measure engine oil level, abnormal oil pressure behavior, or sudden drivetrain malfunction warnings. Failures may rapidly progress to engine shutdown or severe mechanical damage caused by oil starvation. Loss of lubrication can cause the vehicle to become disabled without warning while driving or shortly after startup. This creates a safety hazard, particularly…”
Electrical system
26 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Several months ago, my digital cluster on my 2020 330i blacked out briefly and came back on. The other day, after temporarily disconnecting the batter and correctly reconnecting, the digital cluster and driver assist items all failed. Because of this failure, I no longer have access to my speedometer, engine temperature, or engine lights in the event that something needs immediate attention. Not having the speedometer requires me to check my speed using a GPS device would causes me to divert my attention from the road which is a hazard to pedestrians and drivers alike. I also do not have the driver assist items which can result in an accident which would injure both myself and other drivers. The cluster has not returned to being functional, which was confirmed by the dealership after completing a full ISTA troubleshooting tree. There were no warnings that this would happen, it just immediately died after a power cycle of the battery.”
Air bags
5 reports2 crashes
“The contact owned a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop and making a left turn, another vehicle, trying to beat the light and driving 60 MPH, crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact was trapped because the front driver's side door failed to open. The air bags failed to deploy. The police officers delayed their arrival, and a police report was not filed. The contact was in shock. The contact drove to the residence and was able to exit the vehicle through the front passenger's side door. The contact sustained C8-T1 nerve injuries, spinal injuries, and underwent surgery, developed myelopathy, severe PTSD, severe whiplash, and the contact sustained right eye bruises after hitting her eye against the steering wheel. The T1 neck screw that was previously installed in the contact's neck had backed out due to the impact and was replaced. The contact was informed that she nearly sustained paralysis due to the crash impact. The vehicle was taken to an autobody repair shop, and the vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent…”
Engine and engine cooling
5 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 BMW M340I. The contact stated that after an oil change was performed by an independent mechanic, there was a large amount of gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while accelerating from a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to various independent mechanics, and the failure was associated with the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve cover. The contact stated that there was a recall on other model vehicles for the failure; however, neither the VIN nor the model vehicle was included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,500.”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“My vehicle doesn’t read the oil level since the fuel pump that BMW used to manufacture the car is made out of plastic material. There has been hundred of complaints about the same issue with the oil pump not working properly due to the fact that BMW used plastic instead of metal etc. I would like for the NHTSA to take a look at this issue and please consider making it a recall for the users that are having this “Oil Pump” issue please thank you.”
Lane departure
3 reports
“On November 15th 2025, while driving at highway speed in my lane, the vehicle’s lane assist system applied a sudden and unexpected steering input. I did not command a lane change or steering correction. The steering input caused the vehicle to become unstable, rotate, and spin across the roadway, resulting in a collision with the highway barrier. Prior to the incident, the vehicle had repeatedly failed to install a BMW-issued lane assist software update despite multiple attempts following BMW’s published instructions. BMW dealership personnel were aware of the update failure. The lane assist system remained active and provided no warnings or limitations. Weather conditions changed rapidly due to a brief, unexpected ice storm lasting approximately ten minutes. The vehicle did not provide a warning, restriction, or automatic disengagement of the lane assist system under these conditions. The loss of control occurred immediately following an unexpected steering intervention by lane assist. The loss of control occurred immediately following the steering intervention.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.