CarRecallWatchThe 2011 BMW M3 has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 fire.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (16 reports).
2011 BMW M3 recalls
Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The driver-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles contains an ammonium nitrate propellant that was not properly dried.
Battery Cable Can Degrade, Causing Sudden Power Loss and Stalling
The positive battery cable connection at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time.
Overheating wiring can melt connectors and cause fire
The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning may overheat.
Driver air bag inflator may rupture in a crash
BMW is recalling certain vehicles because the driver's frontal air bag inflator can rupture when the air bag deploys.
Most common 2011 BMW M3 problems
Problem areas named in the 31 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 16 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
What owners report
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
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
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ACCELERATING WHEN I HIT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH MY CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD REVVING SOUND AND METAL CLANKING SOUND IN MIDDLE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE VERY THICK WHITE SMOKE ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON THE DASH ALMOST GOT INTO ACCIDENTS WHILE CARS AVOID HITTING! MY CAR WASN'T GOING OVER 5 10 MPH THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE WAS GETTING WORRIED,SOME HOW I MANAGED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND PARKED I WAS TOLD MY ENGLISH WAS BLOWN! MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE ONLY DROVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES NIGHTMARE 2011 BMW M3
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
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AND PULLED TO A STOP SIGN. I GAVE MY CAR A FEW REVS JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO CHECK OUT, SO I CONTINUE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH AND STRAIGHT, THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN, AND THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THANKFULLY I MANAGE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT'S BECOME APPARENT THIS VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY KNOWN TO DO THIS. ROD BEARINGS AND MAIN BEARINGS HAVE CAUSED THESE MOTORS TO SE
2011 BMW M3 questions
Does the 2011 BMW M3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2011 BMW M3: Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Battery Cable Can Degrade, Causing Sudden Power Loss and Stalling; Overheating wiring can melt connectors and cause fire; Driver air bag inflator may rupture in a crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW M3?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (16), Electrical System (7), Air Bags (6).
How do I check if a recall on my 2011 BMW M3 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.