Research · Subcompact Cars

2013 BMW M3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2013 BMW M3. Most complaints involve air bags (7) and engine (4). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
13
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2016NHTSA 16V071000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2016 – Sep 2024
  1. Air bags7
  2. Engine4
  3. Power train3
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

7 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11615934

Engine

4 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2017Power train, EngineODI 11000637

Power train

3 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2020Power trainODI 11330176
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-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 Oct 31, 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 (AM-S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000562
M3 Convertible
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000563
M3 Coupe
Auto (AM-S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000552
M3 Coupe
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142116$5,000544
  • M3 Convertible
    Auto (AM-S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Coupe
    Auto (AM-S7), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • M3 Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 BMW M3 as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 7430Vehicle 7429
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

2013 M3 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW M3 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 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 2013 BMW M3 problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (7), engine (4), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 BMW M3 at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026