2011 BMW M3: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2011 / bmw / m3
known issues	4 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-10)
complaints	41 on file (2011-12-03 → 2023-09-05)
recalls	4
investigations	1
fars	119 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Convertible top failure with part unavailableSTRUCTURE2 complaints2014-10 → 2014-10bmw-m3-2011-convertible-top-part-unavailable

10648377 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE
10648386 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE WAIT FOR PARTS MIGHT BE LONGER THAN A

Engine stall from rod/main bearing failureENGINE19 complaints2013-09 → 2023-09bmw-m3-2011-s65-rod-bearing-failure

11218617 WHILE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, MY ENGINE THREW A ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK, CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED, HAS 43,300 ORIGINAL MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER
11047061 ENGINE KNOCKING. CONNECTING ROD BEARING AND MAIN BEARING FAILURE RESULTING IN REQUIRED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ENGINE NOT ABLE TO BE REBUILT DUE TO CRACKED MAIN BEARING SADDLES
10959009 WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A CALIFORNIA INTERSTATE, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST FORWARD MOMENTUM, POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN TO THE DASH, THE DCT TRANSMISSION HAD SHIFTED ITSELF TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. I UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED A

Takata air bag recall part unavailabilityAIR BAGS9 complaints2014-11 → 2020-09bmw-m3-2011-takata-airbag-parts

10929859 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE
10984727 TAKATA RECALL - THIS RECALL HAS BEEN ACTIVE NOW FOR OVER A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS WITH NO REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE TRIED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND NEITHER OF THEM HAVE A PART AVAILABLE TO FIX. WHAT IS THE HOLDUP?
11355276 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

Electrical system power loss to accessoriesELECTRICAL SYSTEM6 complaints2016-07 → 2022-10bmw-m3-2011-electrical-power-loss

11489153 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
10882151 AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE THIRD LANE AT 70 MPH MY ENTIRE ELECTRICITY TO THE CAR SHUT OFF . WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND NO TIME TO GET OVER I ALMOST GOT HIT . AFTER BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL HIGH SPEEDING CAR. IT SUDDENLY CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME
10955248 THE CAR WAS PARKED AT A FLAT SPACE PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE VEHICLE USING A FOB KEY, THE ALARM STARTED TO GO OFF. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN USING A KEY BLADE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY, HOWEVER ALL SYSTEM WAS DEAD. I HAVE REPLACED THE FOB KEY

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
41	2011-12-03	2023-09-05	0	2	ENGINE:20; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:9; AIR BAGS:9; POWER TRAIN:7; SERVICE BRAKES:2

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
19V472000	19/06/2019	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS	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.	A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.	BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
20V017000	15/01/2020	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	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.	An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.	BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
17V676000	25/10/2017	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	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.	Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.	BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
16V071000	05/02/2016	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	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.	In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.	BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
EA21002	open	Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2021-09-17	·	·	From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	119	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2011 BMW M3 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/bmw/m3

@misc{wrenchpro_2011_bmw_m3_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2011 BMW M3},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/bmw/m3}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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