Research · Subcompact Cars

2011 BMW M3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2011 BMW M3. Most complaints involve engine (20) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
41
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 15, 2020NHTSA 20V017000

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

Electrical systemReported Jun 19, 2019NHTSA 19V472000

Electrical system: wiring

Remedy pending

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Electrical systemReported Oct 25, 2017NHTSA 17V676000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2011 – Sep 2023
  1. Engine20
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Air bags9
  4. Power train7
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Structure2
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Steering1
  9. Visibility1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each M3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19961
199719
199814
199911
200114
200290
2003141
2004112
200537
2006216
200882
200945
201015
201141
20126
201313
20154
20165
20173
20189
20213
20221
20232
20252
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

20 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2023EngineODI 11542797

Electrical system

9 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2022Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11489153

Air bags

9 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2020Air bagsODI 11355276
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
M3 Convertible
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,700555
M3 Convertible
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,700555
M3 Coupe
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,700555
M3 Coupe
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142116$4,700555
M3 Sedan
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,700555
M3 Sedan
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142116$4,700555
  • M3 Convertible
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Coupe
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Sedan
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Sedan
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 BMW M3 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 69Vehicle 68Vehicle 67
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 M3 questions

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW M3 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 BMW M3 problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (20), electrical system (9), air bags (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 BMW M3 at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026