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, Oct 9, 2014
I HAVE A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT COMING IN END OF MAY 2014. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE AIRBAG IN HEADREST AND REPLACED IT. LESS THAN A MONTH THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR THIS TIME TO MY NORMAL DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE. THEY RESET THE MALFUNCTION ALERT ON JULY 2 2014. THE MALFUNCTION ALERT FOR THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM RETURNED, I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN IRVINE THE ONE THAT RESET THE ALERT IN JULY. THIS TIME I EXPLAINED TO THEM THEY NEEDED TO FIND WHAT THE ISSUE IS. AFTER AN ENTIRE DAY THEY GAVE ME A CALL AND SAID THEY FINALLY FOUND THE ISSUE ITS IN THE WIRING HARNESS. OF COURSE THIS WILL COST ABOUT 1250.00. I WENT BACK AND FOURTH ASKING WHY WAS MY HEAD REST REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AT CREVIER BMW 1500 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705. THE IRVINE BMW SAID THAT CANT ANSWER THAT AND I WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THEM. I DON'T BELIEVE NOW THAT THE HEADREST FOR THE AIR BAG NEEDED REPLACED AND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I SPENT 450 ALREADY ON THE ISSUE IN MAY AND TODAY RETURNING BACK TO THE CREVIER DEALER. *TR
Air bags, Aug 21, 2014
I AM 5'2", FAT AND WANTED EITHER AN ON/SWITCH FOR MY FRONT DRIVER'S AIRBAG, OR I WAS GOING TO APPLY UNDER YOUR GUIDELINES TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. BMW APPARENTLY CAN DO NEITHER SINCE THEIR AIRBAG IS TIED INTO ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND REGARDING WHAT FOR ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT TO BE DECAPITATED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DO YOU HAVE ANY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OVER THIS THAT WOULD MAKE BMW COMPLY WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS? *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 22, 2012
REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL MULFUNCTION TURNED ON FOR A FEW MIN. SIGNAL ALSO STARTED BLINKING EXTREAMLY FAST. HEAD LIGHT MALFUNCTION ALARM TURNED ON FOR A FEW MIN.HEAD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN WITH STEARING WHEEL. PASANGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ALARM TURNED ON WHEN CAR WAS STARTED. AFTER DRIVING 20 MILES AND TURNING THE CAR OFF IT CLEARED. *TR