Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

20 reports

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53,000 miles · Jan 6, 2017

Engine

ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AT SPEED WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF ROD BEARING ISSUE WHICH IS WELL KNOWN IN THESE ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10940151

105,654 miles · Dec 11, 2016

Engine

ROD BEARING FAILURE! TODAY WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY I HEARD A LOUD BOOM FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE TURNING OFF. I TOWED THE CAR HOME AND AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND THE CYLINDER 8 PISTON HAS BLOWN THROUGH THE BLOCK. THE CAR HAS JUST BROKE 100K MILES,HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED ON TIME AND SHOWED NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY ISSUES. I HAD …

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NHTSA ODI #10934495

139,000 miles · Aug 18, 2016

Engine

THE 2008 ME HAS THE S65 ENGINE WHICH HAS BEEN HEAVILY REPORTED TO HAVE ROD BEARING FAILURES DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE FACTORY ROD BEARINGS. MY CAR ENGINE HAS SEIZED DUE TO THIS AND I AM LOOKING AT FROM BMW $30,000 PLUS IN REPAIRS!! THE NEW BMW M3S HAD AN UPDATED ROD BEARING MATERIAL WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10897013

55,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016

Engine

THE ENGINE PISTON BEARING WORE OUT AT LESS THAN 60K MILES CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE ENGINE. LUCKILY CAR ENGINGE DID NOT LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING OR COULD HAVE CAUSED TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN FREEWAY

NHTSA ODI #10850868

85,000 miles · Dec 14, 2015

Engine

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN 4TH GEAR, THE MOTOR SEIZED. THE PISTON ROD SNAPPED AND BLEW ALUMINUM PARTS THROUGH THE OIL PAN.

NHTSA ODI #10810103

96,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW M3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROD BEARING AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ROD BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748491

96,500 miles · Aug 13, 2015

Engine

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AFTER INFORMING BMW NA MANY TIMES OF THE WIDESPREAD ROD BEARING PROBLEM ON THE S65 MOTOR THAT CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND SEIZING OF THE ENGINE AT SPEED THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. THIS WIDE SPREAD BEARING ISSUE HAS AFFECTED 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF THESE ENGINES. AFTER MY ENGINE FAILED BMW REFUSED TO GOOD WILL ME A ENGINE FOR SMALL UNRELATED MISC. THINGS FOR EXAMPLE EXHAUST AND SUSPENSION. I'VE HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED BY A REPUTABLE INDYSHOP THAT HAS DONE MANY ROD BEARING JOBS ON MY IDENTICAL CAR TYPE. I HAVE FAILED ORIGINAL BEARINGS IN HAND. AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR FROM THIS SHOP MY ENGINE SEIZED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH THIS SHOP PERFORMED THE WORK PROPERLY ULTIMATELY THIS ENGINE WOULD HAVE SEIZED EITHER WAY. I AM NOW OUT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE BEARING JOB AND I WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. MY COMPLAINT IS TO BMW NORTH AMERICA IN ARBITRARILY DENYING MY CLAIM WHEN THEY ARE AWARE AND I HAVE PROOF THAT THE ENGINES THAT THEY PRODUCED FROM THE FACTORY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO LUBRICATE AND WITCH CAUSES FAILURE TO CARS BETWEEN 25,000 MILES OR 110,000 MILES. THERE IS A REGISTRY ONLINE OF MANY MANY M3'S WITH THIS ENGINE WITH THE SAME ENGINE FAILURE. IF MY ENGINE WERE TO HAVE SEIZED ON THE FREEWAY THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH AS WELL AS A POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS BODILY HARM INCLUDING DEATH. TO FURTHER CLARIFY ENGINE FAILURE WAS IMMINENT EVEN BEFORE THIS INDY SHOP PERFORMED THIS WORK. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR AND I WORK. I AM NOW FORCED TO BUY A NEW ENGINE FOR OVER $15,000 WITCH IS APPROX. THE VALUE OF THE CAR OR SELL THE VEHICLE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS. BMW SHOULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING HERE BUT INSTEAD DENIED MY REQUEST AND PUSHED ME OUT THE DOOR. BMW NA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WHEN THEY SHOULD. IF YOU LOOK INTO THE PREVIOUS MODEL M3 WITH S54 ENGINE THERE WAS A MAJOR ROD BEARING RECALL. SAME ISSUE HERE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10748475

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2015

EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW M3. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SUDDEN KNOCKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE NOISE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ROD BEARING FAILURE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…

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NHTSA ODI #10730302

56,103 miles · Apr 26, 2015

EnginePower Train

ENGINE BEGAN SUDDENLY MAKING A VERY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO SANDY SANSING BMW SERVICE CENTER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC CRANK BEARING FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED NOW... CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT BMW DE…

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NHTSA ODI #10712972

74,598 miles · Jul 20, 2013

Engine

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THE ENGINE IN MY BMW DIED AT 74,598 MILES, NO WARNING LIGHTS AND NO WEIRD NOISES. IT DIED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT (65) ON THE HIGHWAY DOING NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, WHEELS LOCKED UP IN TRAFFIC SO I HAD TO PUSH IN CLUTCH. IT WAS A VERY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION BECAUSE A BIG RIG ALMOST CRASHED INTO MY CAR. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CHECK IT OUT: THE ENGINE WAS NOT OVERHEATING AND THERE WAS NO FLUIDS ON THE GROUND. AS I TRIED STARTING THE CAR UP AGAIN I COULD HEAR THE FUEL PUMP TURNING ON AND THE STARTER MOTOR CLICKING, BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS MADE KNOWN TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY ENGINE WAS SEIZED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $19,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE AND $6,000 FOR THE LABOR TO INSTALL IT. I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE THAT I KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE, AND THAT NOTHING WAS INDICATING TO ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. I INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIP TO CONTACT BMW NORTH AMERICA (BMW HEADQUARTERS FOR NORTH AMERICA) FOR A "GOOD WILL" REPLACEMENT, BUT MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. THIS PROBLEM IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ROD BEARING INSIDE THE ENGINE, WHICH GAVE OUT BECAUSE THERE IS NO ADEQUATE LUBRICATION TO THEM, I HEARD OF THESE ROD BEARINGS GIVING OUT ON THE S65 ENGINE ALL OVER WEB FORUMS, MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. DURING MY WARRANTY PERIOD I DID LET THEM KNOW THAT MY CAR WOULD GO IN LIMP MODE (LOW POWER MODE ON ENGINE, MAX SPEED ABOUT 40MPH) AND I WAS HEARING TICKING NOISES (DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NORMAL) THAT WERE NOT PRESENT WHEN THE CAR WAS REALLY NEW (THE FIRST 5000 MILES I PUT ON THE CAR). THE DEALERSHIP AND BMW NORTH AMERICA DON'T CARE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WHICH WERE PRESENT DURING MY ENTIRE OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR (IN WARRANTY PERIOD) AND THEY DENIED THE FREE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525919

Official recalls

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

19V472000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Jun 19, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System

Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: 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 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

08V595000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Nov 14, 2008

BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

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

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module