2010 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 274 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 8 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, engineOct 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.
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V707000 on NHTSA.gov
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (Air Bags), 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while accelerating from the vehicle idling, and turning left or right, the transmission hesitated before shifting hard. Occasionally, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated, hesitated, and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle intermittently stalled, and the contact would release the accelerator pedal, depress the brake pedal, and allow the steering wheel failure to self-correct. The failures became more persistent. The ABS, check engine, X-Drive Fluid, ESC, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after adding fluid, the failure persisted. The driver's front seat air bag failed to activate intermittently while the driver's seat was occupied. The heating system occasionally failed to operate. The contact became aware of fluid under the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the air bag and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The certified mechanic recommended an oil change because the engine oil was dirty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact radiator was repaired to resolve the failure with the heating system, but the failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air bags, Jan 22, 2025, crash
The contact owned a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle that was making a turn. The air bags deployed, and the contact's face struck the steering wheel. The fire department and police arrived on the scene, but the contact was unaware if any reports had been filed. The firefighter escorted the contact out of the vehicle, while smoke came from the engine. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance and treated for a fractured nose and teeth, shrapnel in the left eye, bruising on the right shoulder and knee, and a concussion. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where the insurance company deemed it totaled and determined that the contact was at fault for the collision. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the original steering wheel had been replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Air bags, Sep 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (Air Bags) and 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 11, 2023
The airbag light just turned on on me, I was looking to see if there was a recall on it, but since there isn’t, I want to make sure I’m not the only one with this problem. Also the seat belt light is on, I clicked all seat belts in, and the light remains on.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2021
Front Passenger Air Bag Seat Occupancy Sensor (OC3) Mat failure. Does not detect a passenger in the seat. Passenger airbag is forced off due to sensor.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 4, 2021
My vehicle's Passenger Restraint system has failed affecting the Airbag's deployment, seat belt tensioners, and other safety components. The car currently has warnings on the dashboard in the form of lights and as warning messages in the infotainment system. Lights/warnings appeared randomly while driving qith no prior symptoms. This fault puts the safety of any passengers in my vehicle in jeopardy in the event of a collision. Car is available for inspection at anytime to confirm faults.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2021
Passenger seat throwing a code that says "passenger restraint system malfunction"
Air bags, Nov 21, 2020
THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT GIVES AN ON AND OFF FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER. EVERY OTHER CAR START (STATIONARY), THE AIRBAG FAULT RELATED TO THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINS ON UNTIL NEXT CAR START.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2020
I STARTED OVERHEATING AND LOOSING ALOT A POWER
Air bags, Seats, Oct 30, 2019
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE AIRBAG. IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE PASSENGER HAS THEIR SEAT BELT ON. RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND IT STATES THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE REPAPIRS FOR A SAFETY SYSTEM AT NO CHARGE. NOT SURE IF IT IS A BAD SENSOR OR WHAT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND A PASSENGER IS SEATED WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON. DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT INTO A BMW DEALERSHIP YET BECAUSE OVER THE PHONE, THEY SAID IT MAY COST ABOUT $1,400 TO FIX.
Air bags, Mar 31, 2019
SEAT SENSOR OCCUPANCY MAT MALFUNCTION: WHY IS BMW NOT VOLUNTARILY RECALLING OR EXTENDING THIS WIDESPREAD KNOWN ISSUE BMWS? THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS MANY MODELS OF BMWS, FORUMS ARE FILLED WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. AFTER MARKET MANUFACTURERS HAVE CREATED MODULES TO BYPASS THIS SENSOR, WHICH APPARENTLY IS GOING TO CAUSE HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR SOME OF THE OWNERS. THERE'S A CONSTANT DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAYS, "PASS-RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". APPARENTLY IT'S QUITE A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS MANY BMWS AND UNFORTUNATELY BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED IT FOR ALL MODELS AND HAVE DONE THE RECALL FOR LIMITED MODEL BETWEEN 2006 AND 2007, 2008 WAS LATER ADDED BUT MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN 2009 SO I BELIEVE THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND 2008. ON THE FORUMS, I SAW AND READ OWNERS OF 2011 AND 2012 ALSO REPORTING THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2019
TAKATA INFLATORS. PASSENGER SEAT MAT/OCCUPANCY SENSOR CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO TURN ON.
Air bags, Feb 11, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON, HAD IT CHECKED BUT STILL THERE
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 7, 2019
MY AC UNIT ON MY CAR WAS RAMPING UP, LIKE IT WAS HOT. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT THE AC UNIT WIRING WAS FAULTY, COULD SPARK FIRE. TOOK MY BMW TO LOCAL SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS THE AC WIRING AND THAT IT BLEW OUT MY BLOWER MOTOR, THAT I HAD TO REPLACE IT OR IT WOULD BE CAUSE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. HOWEVER, THE NSTA AND BMW RECALL WAS NOT IN PLACE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR AND GO BACK TO BMW TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. I WAS UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS SO PAID A PORTION OF IT, WITH THE INTENT TO WAIT UNTIL THE RECALL WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. A FEW MONTHS LATER SAME ISSUE AC UNIT RUNNING HOT, TOOK CAR IN EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR HAD RECALL, IF THEY COULD GIVE ME REFUND SINCE THE BMW CUSTOMER CORPORATION STATED THE REPAIR WAS REFUNDABLE. UNTIL TODAY, THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE DIRECT PAYMENTS HAS NOT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THEY ARE SCAMMING ME OUT OF MONEY WHEN THE REPAIR WAS A RECALL AND IT CAUSED MY BLOWER MOTOR TO BURN OUT.
Air bags, Nov 26, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. COGGIN BMW OF TREASURE COAST IN FT. PIERCE (4429 SOUTH US 1 HIGHWAY, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, (772) 410-5155) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Oct 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIELDS BMW SOUTH ORLANDO (LOCATED AT 9750 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 956-6300) AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SEAT BELT CHIME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOUNDED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. AFTER THE LAST INCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2018, THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CHIME WAS BY ENGAGING THE LATCH ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WINSLOW BMW OF COLORADO SPRINGS (5845 N NEVADA AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80918) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR MAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2018
OCCUPANCY MAT IN PASSENGER SEAT FAILED, WHICH RESULTS IN LACK OF AIRBAG FUNCTION. SAME PART NUMBER (52 10 7 244 128) IS PART OF VOLUNTARY RECALL (17V-428) FOR 2006-2007 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. I CONTENT THE SAME ISSUE EXTENDS INTO LATER YEARS AND SHOULD RECEIVE THE SAME LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM BMW. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE BYPASS MODULE SELL RATE ON EBAY (2380 SOLD ON THIS ITEM ALONE): HTTPS://WWW.EBAY.COM/ITM/SEAT-MAT-BYPASS-EMULATOR-FOR-BMW-E90-E93E82E88E65E66X3Z4-OCCUPANCY-AIRBAG-SENSOR/160854844395 ISSUE ARISES WHENEVER PASSENGER IS IN THE VEHICLE - NOW UNPROTECTED.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 28, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 9, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (ZT MOTORS OF FORT WALTON BEACH, 1000 N BEAL PKWY NW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32547, (850) 863-2167) SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 19, 2018
DUE TO HOT WEATHER CONDITION (>85F), IF THE CAR PARKS OUTSIDE MORE THAN 4 HOURS, THEN GO TO VEHICLE TO START VEHICLE, BOTH SEAT BELT LIGHT AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ARE ON EVEN DURING DRIVING. BUT, AFTER PARKING VEHICLE OVERNIGHT OR WEATHER BELOW 70F, THERE IS NO ISSUE AT ALL. IT SEEMS LIKE THE SENSORS TO SENSITIVE THE HOT TEMPERATURE. IT IS SAFETY CRITICAL ISSUE AND HAD TO FIND OUT IN DEALER. BMW SAID TO ME IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS SENSOR SPECIFICATION ISSUE WHICH IS NOT HANDLE HIGH TEMPERATURE. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE!
Air bags, Jun 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER "AIR BAG OFF" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 23, 2018
FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL, I HAVE CONSTANTLY BEEN TOLD BY MIDTOWN (HOUSTON) BMW THAT THE REPLACEMENTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. THIS HAS BEE FOR TWO YEARS NOW. 2 - ON THE NEW RECALL, THE WIRING RECALL, I HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED BY BMW OR MY LOCAL MIDTOWN BMW DEALERSHIP