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2010 BMW 3 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 BMW 3 Series do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

10 reports
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85,000 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON, HAD IT CHECKED BUT STILL THERE

NHTSA ODI #11176210

103,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

TAKATA RECALL - I THINK AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AFFECTING THIS. BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #11132144

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11019259

60,000 miles · Aug 7, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11013373

52,300 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2016. IT IS NOW ALMOST AUGUST 2017. 18 MONTHS FOR A SAFETY RECALL IS BEYOND REASONABLE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11006134

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10990524

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2017
Air Bags

"TAMARA RECALL" - AFTER CALLING MY DEALER TO ASK WHEN MY CAR WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED ABOUT WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN. I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER EARLY LAST YEAR. IT SEEMS TO ME AS THOUGH SOMEONE IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET. MAYBE YOUR AGENCY NEEDS TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THOSE INVOLVED IN EXPEDITING THIS RECAL…

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"TAMARA RECALL" - AFTER CALLING MY DEALER TO ASK WHEN MY CAR WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED ABOUT WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN. I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER EARLY LAST YEAR. IT SEEMS TO ME AS THOUGH SOMEONE IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET. MAYBE YOUR AGENCY NEEDS TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THOSE INVOLVED IN EXPEDITING THIS RECALL FULFILLMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10940282

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL BMW PROMISED TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IN 2016 LATE SUMMER. BUT NOW IT IS JANUARY, 2017. THEY STILL HAVEN'T PROVIDED PARTS TO GET IT FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ARE JUST GIVING BS. THERE ARE 17 SIMILAR CUSTOMERS LIKE ME WAITING FOR PARTS. BMW SHOULD NOT ALLOW TO SELL ANY NEW C…

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TAKATA RECALL BMW PROMISED TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IN 2016 LATE SUMMER. BUT NOW IT IS JANUARY, 2017. THEY STILL HAVEN'T PROVIDED PARTS TO GET IT FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ARE JUST GIVING BS. THERE ARE 17 SIMILAR CUSTOMERS LIKE ME WAITING FOR PARTS. BMW SHOULD NOT ALLOW TO SELL ANY NEW CARS IN NC UNTIL WE GET THE PARTS. BECAUSE ALL NEW CAR COMES WITH NEW AIR BAG. IF THEY CAN SELL NEW CAR, THEY SHOULD HAVE AIR BAG. SO WHY NOT PUT THE SAFETY OF EXISTING CUSTOMER IN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939927

85,178 miles · Mar 26, 2015
Air BagsCrash

DRIVING FROM WORK ON A SNOWING DAY, GOING ABOUT 25 TO 35. THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF LANE. I TRADED TO GET CONTROL BUT IT WAS TO LATE. I HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702037

44,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Air Bags

I AM 5'2", FAT AND WANTED EITHER AN ON/SWITCH FOR MY FRONT DRIVER'S AIRBAG, OR I WAS GOING TO APPLY UNDER YOUR GUIDELINES TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. BMW APPARENTLY CAN DO NEITHER SINCE THEIR AIRBAG IS TIED INTO ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND REGARDING WHAT FOR ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE.…

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I AM 5'2", FAT AND WANTED EITHER AN ON/SWITCH FOR MY FRONT DRIVER'S AIRBAG, OR I WAS GOING TO APPLY UNDER YOUR GUIDELINES TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. BMW APPARENTLY CAN DO NEITHER SINCE THEIR AIRBAG IS TIED INTO ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND REGARDING WHAT FOR ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT TO BE DECAPITATED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DO YOU HAVE ANY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OVER THIS THAT WOULD MAKE BMW COMPLY WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627101

Official recalls

2

23V707000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 20, 2023

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Mar 2, 2022

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.