Free safety data straight from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recalls, consumer complaints, and crash test ratings — everything you need before you buy.
No NCAP safety rating data available from NHTSA for this vehicle. Ratings are typically available for passenger cars and light trucks.
The following safety recalls have been issued by NHTSA for the BMW M3. If you own this vehicle, check your VIN at our VIN lookup tool or NHTSA.gov to see if your vehicle is affected.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) COULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
Real complaints filed with NHTSA by BMW M3 owners. These reports help identify common issues and potential safety concerns.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| STRUCTURE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
ON OCTOBER 13TH AT APPROXIMATELY 1800HRS THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY 1998 BMW M3 "RAPIDLY DEFLATED" RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. APPROXIMATELY 1/4 OF THE INNER SIDEWALL WAS LEFT SHREDDED. WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND WARM, WITH NO DEBRIS OR CONTAMINATION ON THE ROAD SURFACE(SR-62). THE TIRE WAS INSTALLED BY A BMW SERVICE CENTER 5/7/08 AT 68,814 MILES, ACCIDENT OCCURRED…
1) NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION 2) LEFT REAR STRUT-TOWER FAILURE RESULTING IN PENETRATION OF STRUT AND SPRING AND FAILURE OF REAR SUSPENSION. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. 3) REPAIRS PENDING. KNOWN ISSUE W/ BMW E-36'S. *NM
THE SHOCK WELLS RUSTED AND CRACKED MAKING SHOCKS PROTRUDE OUT OF IT'S MOUNTS.
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