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: electrical system
66 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 8, 2018, fire
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR PERTAINING TO THE INTERIM NOTICE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS WHEN THE ELECTRIC CONTROL WAS USED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. 8 (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
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, Engine, Dec 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD NEAR THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW KINGSTON IN NORTH CAROLINA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALLS, THEY WOULD REIMBURSE THE CONTACT LATER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2017
WHEN TIRE PRESSURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BEGINS TO FAIL, ITS RDC MODULE TAKES DOWN THE COMPLETE DASHBOARD MONITORING AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS. UPON FAILURE, THE RDC AFFECTS SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, RADIO, BLOWER, WIPERS, IDRIVE SYSTEMS. DRIVER HAS NO INDICATORS OF TURN SIGNALS OR LIGHTING (EVEN IF FUNCTIONAL) WITHIN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THIS OCCURRED IN DRIVING SEQUENCE AS FIRST A SERIES OF FLASHES AND IDRIVE RESTARTS, THEN COMPLETE BLANKING OUT OF ALL DASHBOARD SYSTEMS. UPON ADVISEMENT OF REPAIR TECH, SIMPLE UNPLUG OF RDC CLEARS ALL DASHBOARD SYMPTOMS EXCEPT TPMS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR. A CAR SHOULD NOT SIMPLY HAVE A COMPLETE ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND OPERATIONAL (RADIO, BLOWER, TURN INDICATORS, WIPERS) FAILURE DUE TO ONE MONITORING SYSTEM GOING DOWN -- THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULD HAVE LED TO ME HAVING AN ACCIDENT EASILY DUE TO NO TURN OR SPEED INDICATORS AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, May 23, 2017, fire
BMW ON FIRE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE SO IT MAY HAVE STARTED WHILE IN TRANSIT. MY CAR HAD NO ISSUES, NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR, ENGINE OR DRIVING EXPERIENCE. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SMELL OF FIRE OR BURNING OIL, NO SIGNS OF ENGINE ISSUES WHILE DRIVING BUT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE AREA AND IT ESCALATED QUICKLY. I WAS STOPPED WAITING AT A SECOND-TO-THE-LEFT TURN LANE SURROUNDED BY CARS AND NOBODY COULD MOVE AWAY. PEOPLE IN THE CAR TO MY LEFT PANICKED THE MOST AS THEY COULD SEE THE SMOKE GOING THEIR WAY AND COULDN'T MOVE THEIR CAR, FORTUNATELY THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SOON AND I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT ACROSS FROM THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I PARKED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES. MANAGEMENT OF THE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT RUSHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE REGARDLESS. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DECLARED TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE BMW EVEN FINISHED ESTIMATING THE DAMAGE. NOBODY INVESTIGATED FURTHER EVENTHOUGH I ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVEN THAT MY CAR SEEMED IN PERFECT CONDITION. BMW STATED IT WAS A RARE INSTANCE HOWEVER WHEN I RESEARCHED ABOUT IT I FOUND BLOGS OF LOTS OF MORE CASES LIKE MINE. THE INSURANCE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ANOTHER BMW IF ANYONE HAD CARED ENOUGH TO PROVIDE ANSWERS OR AT LEAST FOLLOW UP. I BOUGHT MY BMW IN 2014 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN A BEAUTIFUL AND PERFECT CONDITION. I'M JUST GLAD I WAS ABLE TO STOP, THAT THE ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS MY CAR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT NOBODY GOT HURT.
Electrical system, Wheels, Feb 9, 2017
THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN MY CAR (BMW 328XI 2010). THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN NOT BE FOUND EASILY. IT CAUSES MY CAR TO LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING OR IT WILL NOT RESTART AFTER ONLY MINUTES AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF. THE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SHORT/ISSUE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING.
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2017
I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR BY INSERTING THE KEY AND HITTING THE START BUTTON. INSTANTANEOUSLY, ALL POWER HAS BEEN LOST IN THE CAR. THE CAR CANNOT BE JUMPSTARTED. I HAD A PREVIOUS SLOW START DURING COLD WEATHER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED APROX. 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I ALSO BELIEVE I SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL 13V-044, WHICH LOOKS RELATED TO MY CURRENT ISSUE. THE RECALL INCLUDES CARS IN MY MAKE,MODEL,YEAR. HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW THE RECALL RELATES TO MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND THEY SIMPLY RESPONDED THAT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY MY INDIVIDUAL CAR IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE HEATER FAILED, THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2016
I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT JUST STALLED OUT AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AND BACK ON. I HAVE ONLY 66000 MILES ON THE CAR. REPAIR SHOP IS SAYING FUEL PUMP IS SEIZED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THIS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM BMW IN FEBRUARY OF 2013. WHEN I RUN THE VIN NUMBER NO RECALL COMES UP
Electrical system, Mar 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER ONE WEEK AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2015
PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL CEASED TO FUNCTION....UPDATED 03/31/15 *BF THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TAIL LIGHT. IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CONNECTION.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE R & R BATTERY, THE COMPUTER REGISTRY BATTERY, AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,242. UPDATED 02/05/15*LJ UPDATED 6/10/2015 *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 11, 2014
NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE BLINKER STARTED TO BLINK QUICKLY. THE BRAKES AND TAIL LIGHTS USE A BULB WHILE THE BLINKER HAS APPROXIMATELY 15 LEDS. THEREFORE THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL OF THE LEDS DO NOT LIGHT UP AND THE ONES THAT DO ARE DIM. TWO WEEKS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE BLINKER DID THE SAME THING. THIS CONCERNS ME AS ANOTHER DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT I AM TURNING UNTIL IT IS TO LATE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 18, 2014
RECALL NOTICE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION - CAMPAIGN # 13V044000 - VEHICLE SERVICE HISTORY BY OWNER #1 4/12/10 TO 2/11/2013; 08/02/11 SERVICED FOR FUEL FILLER CAP/FUEL TANK LEAKING; 2/8/12 SERVICED FOR AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE/SAFETY ELECTRONICS SOFTWARE ERROR/INTERNAL DEVICE FAULT; 5/16/12 SERVICED FOR ROOF FUNCTIONS CENTRE FZD PERMANENT MALFUNCTION'; 06/15/12 SERVICED TIRE CONDITION AND PRESSURE MILEAGE 28,151 MILES; OWNER #2: 4/12/13-3/4/13 CAR IS PURCHASED; 4/12/13 RECALL BATTERY CABLE, DEFECT CODE 0061760300; 10/24/13 SERVICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #6- REPLACE IGNITION COIL #6: 11/20/13 SERVICED FOR MALFUNCTION NOTICE ON 11/14/13 - SELECT P POSITION BEFORE LEAVING THE VEHICLE, SELECT P POSITION FAULT IN IGNITION TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER SYSTEM; HAVE SYSTEM CHECKED BY NEAREST BMW CENTER; SECOND MALFUNCTION NOTICE 11/19/13 'POSSIBLE R,N,D MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE; R,N,D, MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE, ACTIVATE RELEASE GEAR SELECTOR FOR LEVER IS NECESSARY; GEAR SHIFTER FAULTS- REPLACED GEAR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY, VANOS SOLENOIDS FAULTS - REPLACED VANOS SOLENOIDS AND VALVES; REPLACED GASKETS(3) SIB RECALL 110208; 12/2/13 VANOS FAULTS - REPLACED VANOS GEARS AND VALVE SIB RECALL 121412, BROKEN SCREW HEADS; REPLACED GASKETS (4); 1/16/14 SERVICED REPLACED FAULTY IGNITION COIL, REPLACED GASKETS (3); REPLACED CYLINDER HEAD COVER; 3/4/14 SERVICED ENGINE MISFIRE REPLACED IGNITION COILS 5,2,9,8 AND 7, BALANCED TIRES, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. *TR