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: engine and engine cooling
48 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that because of the price that was quoted by the dealer for the repair, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the vehicle VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted about the failure and informed him that they would call him once parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact had experienced a failure and stated that when she had started the vehicle she smelled a burning odor and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the burning odor had become a reoccurring failure and she was afraid of a vehicle fire. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a burning odor was present as stated in the recall. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue and scheduled an appointment for vehicle inspection. During the repair, the contact was informed that four bolts in the engine had fractured and that the part could not be repaired due to potential engine damage that could lead to an engine fire. The contact stated that upon return of the vehicle, an abnormally loud whistling sound was coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer the next day where it remained in dealer possession. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 124,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a burning odor and smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact pulled over safely and investigated the smoke, which evaporated quickly. The contact also stated that her husband checked under the hood and experienced the burning odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, an independent mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall for the PCV. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 96,800.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the engine. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328XI. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was overheating and the gauge was notifying the contact of the engine temperature moving from high to extremely high. The contact also stated there was black smoke coming from the engine and tailpipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 114,900. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, May 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, a white color smoke would emit from the underneath the hood of the vehicle as a service warning light would appear on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that an abnormal burning plastic odor would emit from the engine compartment while driving at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics where several different repairs were performed to the engine; however, after each repair, the failure persisted. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cleaning) and had taken the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced. The dealer then notified her that parts to repair the recall were not yet available. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact initially received a google alert on her smart phone for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was then notified about the recall and informed her that parts for the recall were not yet available. The contact then received a recall notice in the mail that stated that parts for the recall were unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The contact has stated that the vehicle was taken so that the parts could be replaced and then returned back to them.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with an unknown failure. The mechanic informed the contact that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received a notification through a rideshare app that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DEFROSTER, HEAT, OR AIR CONDITIONER WERE ACTIVATED, THEY FAILED TO OPERATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR THE RECALLS. THE DEALER (BMW OF ROCHESTER, 4250 HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LACK OF ACCELERATION AND VIOLENT VIBRATION. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); 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 NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 25, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE HOOD OF VEHICLE WAS OPEN, HE OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSION VALVE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 22, 2014
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTE CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-176 VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON MY 2010 BMW 328I IN JUNE. IT IS NOW THE END OF AUGUST AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT REPAIRS. THE NEAREST GARAGE HASN'T THE PARTS AND SAYS NOTHING OF THE SAFETY OF MY FAULTY VEHICLE OR WHEN PARTS MAY APPEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. I NEED TO USE IT, BUT THE LETTER SAYS IT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. HOW LONG WILL THIS CRAP GO ON? I TRIED TO CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE OVER A WEEK AGO.....NO RESPONSE. I TRIED TO CALL THE VEHICLE SAFETY OFFICE AT FED GOV.....LONG WAIT ON THE PHONE.....I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS FROM ANYBODY. IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE COUNTRY HAS GONE ON VACATION. WHO'S IN CHARGE? WHEN WILL MY CAR BE FIXED? CAN I DRIVE THE CAR IN THE MEANWHILE WITHOUT RISKING MY LIFE? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2011
REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WARNING CAME. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS ON 03/28/2011 MILEAGE AT 9008, THE SAME HAPPENED AT SPEED OF 65 WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 24, 2010
I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON A CROWDED STRETCH OF US101 IN A 2010 BMW 335I COUPE WITH LESS THAN 3200 MILES ON IT. MY CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALMOST ALL ENGINE POWER, MAKING ACCELERATION IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD TO EASE MY WAY OFF THE HIGHWAY AND, AFTER STOPPING TO TAKE STOCK OF THE SITUATION, I DROVE HOME VIA SIDE STREETS. MY CAR CONTINUED TO SUFFER FROM LACK OF POWER ALL THE WAY BACK AND COULD BARELY ASCEND SOME OF THE HILLS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR CAME ON. POWER WAS SUDDENLY REDUCED TO LESS THAN 35MPH. THIS WARRANTED AN IMMEDIATE MOVE TO THE SLOW LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO GO SEVERAL MILES UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO ATTEMPT A RESTART. RESTART DID NOT HELP, HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR AT 35 MPH TO NEAREST DEALER FOR SERVICE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2010
PROBLEM 1 - ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR AT STARTUP. CAR DID NOT IDLE CORRECTLY AND RAN ROUGH WHEN DRIVEN. WHEN DRIVING, MISFIRES AND REDUCED POWER. MAX SPEED ACHIEVED WAS 35MPH. *TR