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
Air bags, Mar 16, 2018
2010 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REGISTERED IN AN APPROPRIATE TIME FRAME. *JS
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Mar 15, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN (1305 GRAY ST, HOUSTON, TX) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS:17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS).
Air bags, Jan 23, 2018
SIMILAR TO THE DEFECT FOUND WITH OTHER BMW CARS AND SUVS, THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS CRACKED RENDERING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT INOPERABLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 13, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT COMPENSATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Dec 4, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR FOR MONTHS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (BERT OGDEN BMW, 3201 N 10TH ST, MCALLEN, TX 78501, (956) 683-6477) AND INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY AND REPAIR PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER PROVIDED NO MENTION OF A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THE REMEDY AND PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,700. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT NOTIFY HIM DURING THE TIME OF PURCHASE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PENDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE HOWEVER WAS CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS TAKEN FOREVER FOR BMW TO RIGHT THIS PROBLEM. IN SEPTEMBER I FINALLY GOT A COMMUNICATION FROM BMW THAT THE REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE, BUT IT WASN'T TRUE. I CALLED MY DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS. THEY SAID TO CALL BACK LAST WEEK. I DID. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNTIL DEC 13. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I SHOULD AT LEAST BE ABLE TO GET A LOANER SINCE SUPPOSEDLY MY CAR IS UNSAFE, BUT NONE HAS BEEN OFFERED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2017
YOU'VE MANDATED A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS HOWEVER THE DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO FIX THEM BY GIVING THE CUSTOMER THE RUN-AROUND STATING THE PARTS ARE NOT IN STOCK AND THAT THEY CANNOT GET THE PART FOR MONTHS. ON THE CONTRARY, THE PARENT COMPANY BMW USA TELLS ME DIRECTLY THAT THE PARTS ARE FULLY AVAILABLE AND SHOULD ONLY TAKE 1-2 WEEKS TO ARRIVE WHEN NOT IN STOCK. PEOPLE WILL DIE BECAUSE THE DEALERS ARE NOT TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITY MANDATED BY THE RECALL. I HAVE ALL BMW DEALERS WITHIN 100 MILES OF MY RESIDENCE AND THEY ARE REPORTING THE SAME BRUSH OFF.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (HENDRICK BMW, CHARLOTTE, NC, 888-660-4841) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Sep 5, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. NEVER FIXED BY BMW
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. REC'D RECALL NOTICE IN 3/2016, TALKED W/DEALER SHORTLY AFTER AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS, THEN AGAIN 6/29/2016 STILL NO PARTS, HAD SERVICE DONE IN EARLY 2017 AND ASKED AGAIN, WAS TOLD THEY EXPECT SHIPMENT IN NEXT COUPLE MONTHS--"LIKELY TAKATA BUT NOT SURE". CALLED 6/29/2017 EXPECT PARTS END OF SUMMER; BMW WILL SEND LETTER & THEN I TO CALL FOR SERVICE. LAST CALLED DEALER 8/23/2017 AND STILL NO PARTS AND NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN THEY MIGHT GET THEM, TOLD ME TO WAIT FOR LETTER FROM BMW. I THINK OF THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD EVERY TIME I DRIVE. CAN BE DISTRACTING AS I'M DRIVING AND AM PLANNING WHAT TO DO IN CASE I EXPECT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG--HOLD UP MY ARMS OR WHAT? PLEASE HELP!
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL
Air bags, Aug 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (VISTA MOTORS IN COCONUT CREEK, FL, 954-935-1845) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN, [XXX], STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER, A DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE REPAIR COSTS WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. ...UPDATED 10/04/17 *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Aug 15, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW, 500 INTERSTATE N PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30339, 800-294-1853) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ *TR
Air bags, Aug 14, 2017
TL* 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. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF FREEPORT, LOCATED AT 291 W SUNRISE HIGHWAY FREEPORT, NY 11520) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED.
Air bags, Jul 18, 2017
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.
Air bags, Jul 10, 2017
TAKATA RECALL: RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL BACK IN MARCH 2016 FOR MY 2010 BMW 335I FOR THE DRIVERS AIR BAG. I LIVE IN TEXAS WHICH IS WHERE I BOUGHT THIS CAR (HAH ZONE). HOW LONG IS A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO WAIT FOR THIS RECALL TO BE REMEDIED? BMW LETTER STATED THAT WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER. STILL WAITING.....
Air bags, Jun 20, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (DON JACOBS LOCATED AT 2678 REGENCY RD LEXINGTON, KY 40503) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2017
I NEED MY AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED SINCE LAST YEAR AND BMW DEALERS ALL THE TIME IS JUST SAYING THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. IT HAD BEEN HAPPENING FROM LAST YEAR. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT REPLACE THE AIR BAGS.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (LOCATED AT BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH IN THE WOODLANDS; 17830 N FWY SERVICE RD, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77384; (936) 776-4610) CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS CONNECTED TO THE BMW MANUFACTURER BY THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND THE CALL GOT DISCONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, May 26, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE AIRBAGS IN MY BMW. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED MY BMW FREMONT DEALER AS WELL AS BMW AMERICA ABOUT REPLACING THEM. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENTS. IN 2016 THEY SAID THEY SHOULD BE IN LAST SEPTEMBER. I ASKED AGAIN TODAY & STILL NO AIRBAGS.
Air bags, May 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL.
Air bags, Apr 21, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT NHTSA WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHICH MANUFACTURER WOULD RECEIVE THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 28, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.