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 21, 2017
THE PASSENGER SIDE "SEAT MAT SWITCH" FAILED, DISABLING THE SRS SYSTEM. A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART CHARGING ME $1264.20. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME; WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT; HAD ACCUMULATED 48116 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BMW REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY; HOWEVER THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO BMW AND IT DID ACKNOWLEDGE PRIOR YEARS' PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND AUTHORIZED WARRANTY EXTENSIONS FOR OVER 70,000 VEHICLES.
Air bags, Mar 11, 2017
A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WAS FILED IN MARCH 2016 STATING THE FOLLOWING: "IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURING OF THE AIRBAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER PASSENGERS, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR, AND BMW STILL ALLEGES THAT PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL BY BMW NOTIFICATION. THAT DRIVERS AIRBAG COULD EXPLODE IN THEW EVENT OF A CRASH. LETTER DATED MARCH 2016, BUT UP TO TODAY'S DATE FEBRUARY 13, 2017 STILL NO PARTS . VEHICLE REMAINS UNREPAIRED .
Air bags, Jan 30, 2017
BMW DRIVERS AIR BAG MODULE RECALL, CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071. THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL FOR MY 2010 BMW 335I X-DRIVE COUPE, DATED 02-05-2016 WAS SENT TO ME IN MARCH 2016. I CALLED RICHMOND, VA BMW AS SOON AS I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. I WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD BE PLACED ON ORDER. I FOLLOWED UP WITH KAY IN THE RICHMOND BMW SERVICE OFFICE ON 10-06-2016 AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS PLACED ON ORDER. I CALLED RICHMOND BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TODAY, 01-30-2017, AND WAS TOLD 30 MILLION BMWS WERE RECALLED FOR AIR BAG MODULES AND THAT THIS CAUSED THE DELAY. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULES WERE SCHEDULED TO BE RECEIVED THIS SPRING 2017. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I CAN NOT JUST PARK MY CAR. A ONE YEAR DELAY TO REPLACE MY CAR'S AIR BAG MODULE IS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THE AIR BAG MODULE COULD CAUSE MY "SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH."
Air bags, Jan 24, 2017
WHILE BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PARTS, THEY SEEM TO BE PLAYING GAMES WITH ME AND NOT GETTING ANY WORK DONE REGARDING THE PART IN QUESTION NEEDED FOR THE AIRBAGS. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL BMW SOUTH MOTORS THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA. THEN I FOUND OUT THE PART HAD TO COME IN FROM GERMANY, WHICH FOR A RECALL OF SUCH GRANDEUR, I FIND STRANGE THE PART HAS TO BE IMPORTED. ANYWAY, IT HAS BEEN CLOSE TO 3 MONTHS THAT I AM IN THIS ORDEAL WITH NO SOLUTION DONE AND NOTHING DONE TO MY AIRBAGS, THEREBY RISKING MY SAFETY ALL BECAUSE BMW NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT WANT TO DISCLOSE ANY DETAILS OF THEIR DOINGS. THEY TOLD ME THE PART WAS SENT, BUT SOUTH MOTORS HASN'T RECEIVED THE PART. WHILE I BELIEVE SOUTH MOTORS, I DO NOT BELIEVE BMW N.A IS BEING HONEST. THEY REFUSED TO DISCLOSE ANY DETAILS SUCH AS TRACKING INFORMATION OR ANYTHING RELEVANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION. THEY ALSO HAVE REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH SOUTH MOTORS OR MYSELF TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRODUCT MAY HAVE BEEN LOST IN TRANSIT FOR ALL WE KNOW...BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION. MY LIFE AND SAFETY ARE ON THE LINE EACH TIME I GET INTO MY CAR AND IF BMW IS GOING TO PLAY CAT AND MOUSE WITH CONSUMERS THE WAY IT'S DOING THEN I THINK THEY NEED TO BE CHASTISED FOR THIS. SINCE THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME AND HAVE REFUSED TO HELP ME OUT IN ANY WAY, I AM FORCED TO TURN TO THIS AGENCY FOR HELP. I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING ANSWERS, AN ADMISSION OF FAULT AND APOLOGY FROM BMW, AS WELL AS MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE CORRECT PART, BRAND NEW, SENT TO SOUTH MOTORS BMW, TO BE PROMPTLY REPLACED SO THAT MY AIRBAGS ARE IN WORKING ORDER AND SAFE FOR MYSELF AND FELLOW MOTORISTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER. *TR
Air bags, Jan 7, 2017
"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.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2017
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
Air bags, Dec 10, 2016
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,500.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2016
FIX MY AIRBAG BEFORE IT KILLS ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT DO YOU UNDERSTAND ENGLISH? FIX MY AIRBAGS WHAT PART OF FIX DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?
Air bags, Nov 7, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR OLDER MODELS. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/06/17*LJ UPDATED 01/23/17.*JB
Air bags, Oct 11, 2016
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 RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2016
SIX MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED ADVISING ME OF THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS DEATH OR INJURY AS A RESULT OF AIRBAG INFLATOR RUPTURING. I HAVE RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATION, AND FEEL THAT 6 MONTHS IS IN EXCESS OF A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2016
TAKATA RECALL MY LOCAL KENTUCKY DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN MY 6 YEAR OLD 335 WILL BE FIXED AND IT MAY TAKE ANOTHER TWO YEARS.. IT'S LIKE DRIVING AN AIR BAG TIME BOMB. THEY ALSO STATE KENTUCKY IS VERY LOW ON THE PRIORITY LIST SINCE THEY DON'T SELL AS MANY CARS. UNACCEPTABLE!
Air bags, Aug 30, 2016
TAKATA RECALL WITH BMW 328I I WAS SENT A NOTICE BY BMW IN FEB. 2016 ABOUT THE RECALL AND THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS. THERE HAS TO BE A REMEDY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. THE POTENTIAL HARM FROM THIS IS "SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD TAKE 6 MONTHS TO REPAIR.
Air bags, Aug 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED ON FEB. 5, 2016, OF THE RECALL, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE IN OVER 6 MONTHS.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jul 28, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR, SLOW SPEED ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT BOTH FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS WERE BLOWN OUT AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. I SUFFERED PARTIAL HEARING LOSS AS A RESULT. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. 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 DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 10/18/16 *BF UPDATED 10/18/2017*JS
Air bags, May 13, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY AND HAD ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DELEAR WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LUG NUT WHEEL BOLTS WERE LOOSE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 31, 2015, crash
TAKATA RECALL ON DECEMBER 25, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:20 A.M. MY 2010 328I BMW SKIDDED OFF HWY 99 SOUTHBOUND GOING TOWARDS LAX. VEHICLE SKIDDED AS CAUSED BY THE BLACK ICE ON ROAD, RESULTING IN US CRASHING INTO THE LEFT GUARD RAIL. MY MOTHER AND I FELT THE ENTIRE IMPACT OF VEHICLE . I, AS THE DRIVER, HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CAUSING SEVERE WHIPLASH AND A SPRAINED NECK. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE, DUE TO IMPACT OF CRASH BEING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. ONCE CHP ARRIVED, MY CAR WAS TOWED OFF THE HWY. THE BMW'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT CAUSING ME SEVERE NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH, NO HIGHER THAN SPEED LIMIT. WANT TO KNOW WHY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND IF MY NECK AND HEAD INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED . I HAVE HOSPITAL DOCUMENTS IF NECESSARY.
Air bags, Mar 26, 2015, crash
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