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
274 reports, newest first.
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.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2021
Front Passenger Air Bag Seat Occupancy Sensor (OC3) Mat failure. Does not detect a passenger in the seat. Passenger airbag is forced off due to sensor.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 4, 2021
My vehicle's Passenger Restraint system has failed affecting the Airbag's deployment, seat belt tensioners, and other safety components. The car currently has warnings on the dashboard in the form of lights and as warning messages in the infotainment system. Lights/warnings appeared randomly while driving qith no prior symptoms. This fault puts the safety of any passengers in my vehicle in jeopardy in the event of a collision. Car is available for inspection at anytime to confirm faults.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2021
Passenger seat throwing a code that says "passenger restraint system malfunction"
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 7, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMX 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT AND A POLICE OFFICER PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. AFTER WAITING 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 25, 2021, fire
MY HEAD LIGHTS WITH ADAPTIVE DRIVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE WIRES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2021
SOME OF THE BMW FOOTWELL MODULE FOR THE E7X TO E9X MODELS CONTAINING A DEFECTIVE MICROCHIP THAT UPON JUMP-START OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY LEVEL IS LOW WOULD CORRUPT ITS MEMORY. WHEN CORRUPTION OCCURS, THE CAR WILL DISABLE TURNING SIGNAL BLINKERS, POWER WINDOWS, INTERNAL LIGHTS, AND MORE. THOSE AFFECTED FUNCTION WILL RENDER THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BMW HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE PART, BUT ONLY FOR OWNERS WHO RUN INTO THE PROBLEM (IE: JUMP-STARTED) WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME IS COVERED. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS INFAMOUS DEFECT UNTIL RECENTLY AND BMW FAILED TO INFORM ME OF THIS ISSUE PROACTIVELY. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AFTER I READ HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES ONLINE, THIS IS A PART THAT WARRANTS A BRODER RECALL.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2020
I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME AND NO BRIDGES ABOVE ME, ONCE I GOT TO AROUND 70MPH MY SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARDS WITH EXTREME FORCE FOR NO REASON, I COULD NOT FIND A ROCK OR GRAVEL AND I DO NOT BELIEVE GLASS WILL SHATTER OUTWARDS WHEN BROKEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Air bags, Nov 21, 2020
THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT GIVES AN ON AND OFF FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER. EVERY OTHER CAR START (STATIONARY), THE AIRBAG FAULT RELATED TO THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINS ON UNTIL NEXT CAR START.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2020
I STARTED OVERHEATING AND LOOSING ALOT A POWER
Engine, Sep 21, 2020
NITROUS OXIDE SENSORS UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM AND CATALYTIC TANK ALL FAILED. NOTICES OF EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 10 YEARS BUT FAILED AFTER SO NO REIMBURSEMENT. SUSPECT MANY PEOPLE UNAWARE WHEN NON BMW SERVICE CENTER REPAIRED AND NON RECORDED. RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED. HAVE RECORDS TO VERIFY BAD NOX SENSORS AND BEING TOLD NOW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDS REPLACING .
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WHILE STILL IN MOTION. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO THOUGHT THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE B-PLUS BATTERY CABLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE REMAINED UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 14, 2020
THE VEHICLES FTM (FOOTWELL MODULE) ISN'T WORKING. DURING A DRIVE MY TURNING SIGNALS DIDN'T WANT TO WORK. MY HEADLIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF. WINDOWS STAY PUT. DOORS DON'T LOCK. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY BUT CAN STILL BE OPERATED. SHOPS AROUND THE AREA NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY HAD A FEW VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THIS YEAR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBABLY THE DATES FOR THE RECALLS DIDN'T INCLUDE MY CARS MANUFACTURERED STATE
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2020
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2009 328I AND 328XI, 2009-2011 335D, 2008-2012 M3 COUPE AND M3 CONVERTIBLE, AND 2008-2011 M3 SEDAN VEHICLES. THE CONNECTION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AT THE FUSE BOX TERMINAL MAY DEGRADE, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. CONSEQUENCE: A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, May 25, 2020, crash
MY REAR LEFT BRAKE CALIPER STARTED SHOOTING OUT BRAKE FLUID FROM WITHIN THE MIDDLE. I HAVE AN ATE CALIPER. THIS COVERS MODELS FROM ABOUT 2006-2014. ON BIMMERFEST.COM, E90POST.COM, ETC . . . MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. ON ROCKAUTO, AUTOZONE, ETC . . . THE PREMIUM RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT IS TO GET A CALIPER FOR THE REAR THAT HAS NO PHENOLIC PISTON, YET, INSTEAD HAS A SOLID METAL PISTON. UNTO THE WORST, AT TIMES, THE PHENOLIC PISTON HAS EJECTED FROM THE CALIPER AND JAMMED THE BRAKE PADS TO THE VERY ROTORS. ATE CALIPERS ARE OFTEN USED AS SINGLE OR DUAL PIN BOOTED CALIPERS ON BENZ. THEY ALWAYS HAVE METAL PISTONS. I HAVE PREMIUM BRAKES. MY ROTORS ARE UNHARMED, MY BRAKE PADS ARE UNHARMED. THERE IS NOT A SCRATCH IN MY ROTOR. MY WHEEL BEARING IS GONE. MY SUSPENSION IS GONE.MY SUB FRAME IS GONE. IT FLATTENED MY TIRE. IT MADE ME SLIDE COMING OUT OF A TURN AT 15-18MPH. MY SPEEDOMETER BEGAN WAVERING UP AND DOWN, I GOT A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FOR THE DISC. IT SLID INTO THE SIDE OF A CURB. THE CURB HAS NOT A MARK ON IT. MY CAR HAS ONLY PAINT DAMAGE TO LOWER DRIVER SIDE SKIRT. AND SMALL SCRATCH ON THE FRONT LEFT QUARTER PANEL. WHILE WE ARE AT IT, WHY IS THERE NO REGULATION THAT A HUGE H8 OR T8 SIZED BATTERY NOT BE PLACED UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WHERE THE CHILD SEAT GOES? YOUR CHILD IS SITTING ON A HUGE PILE OF SULFURIC ACID. THEY ARE SEALED, BUT THEY COOK AND SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OFTEN. ANOTHER BAD DESIGN. THEY DID THAT FOR YEARS. IT NEEDS TO GO IN THE TRUNK OR SOMEWHERE ELSE. THAT'S TERRIBLE! IT HAS HIGH PRESSURE EXTERNAL DFI, AND A CENTERED FUEL TANK. THE YEARS OF THE DODGE AND LAMBO LP TRIAL AND ERROS ALL COMBINED. IT'S REALLY BAD. I HAVE ME CALLING THE POLICE TO FILE A REPORT. THEY DENIED SHOWING TO THE SCENE. I HAVE THE CALLS RECORDED. I FILED AN ACCIDENT REPORT WITH THE TN DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; AND I HAVE A CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT. NO ONE ELSE INVOLVED. 12:31*DT*JB
Engine, Feb 19, 2020
OIL LEAVE VALVE COVER MILEAGE AT 50,000 MILES. VALVE COVER LEAKING OIL WHICH IS RUNNING DOWN ON MOTOR AND COULD START A FIRE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 18, 2020
IT KEEPS BURNING OIL AND I'M GOING THROUGH COIL PACKS LIKE CRAZY AND IT ALSO STALLS OUT THE SMOKES LIKE CRAZY
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 10, 2019
I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, WENT TO BRAKE AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 300 RPMS AND LURCHED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING SO I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 MPH BEFORE I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 30, 2019
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE AIRBAG. IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE PASSENGER HAS THEIR SEAT BELT ON. RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND IT STATES THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE REPAPIRS FOR A SAFETY SYSTEM AT NO CHARGE. NOT SURE IF IT IS A BAD SENSOR OR WHAT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND A PASSENGER IS SEATED WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON. DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT INTO A BMW DEALERSHIP YET BECAUSE OVER THE PHONE, THEY SAID IT MAY COST ABOUT $1,400 TO FIX.
Engine, Oct 23, 2019
OCCASIONAL RATTLE NOISE AT THE FRONT END OF THE RUNNING MOTION ENGINE FOLLOWED BY SURGE POWER AND ERROR CODE 2A87 AND 2A7A VANOS RELATED DTC. VEHICLE THEN BECOME ROUGH IDLED.
Air bags, Mar 31, 2019
SEAT SENSOR OCCUPANCY MAT MALFUNCTION: WHY IS BMW NOT VOLUNTARILY RECALLING OR EXTENDING THIS WIDESPREAD KNOWN ISSUE BMWS? THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS MANY MODELS OF BMWS, FORUMS ARE FILLED WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. AFTER MARKET MANUFACTURERS HAVE CREATED MODULES TO BYPASS THIS SENSOR, WHICH APPARENTLY IS GOING TO CAUSE HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR SOME OF THE OWNERS. THERE'S A CONSTANT DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAYS, "PASS-RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". APPARENTLY IT'S QUITE A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS MANY BMWS AND UNFORTUNATELY BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED IT FOR ALL MODELS AND HAVE DONE THE RECALL FOR LIMITED MODEL BETWEEN 2006 AND 2007, 2008 WAS LATER ADDED BUT MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN 2009 SO I BELIEVE THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND 2008. ON THE FORUMS, I SAW AND READ OWNERS OF 2011 AND 2012 ALSO REPORTING THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2019
TAKATA INFLATORS. PASSENGER SEAT MAT/OCCUPANCY SENSOR CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO TURN ON.
Air bags, Feb 11, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON, HAD IT CHECKED BUT STILL THERE
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jan 11, 2019, fire
CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND BURST INTO FLAMES 5 MINUTES AFTER PARKING IT. TOTALLY DESTROYED.