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.
Air bags, Apr 21, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT NHTSA WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHICH MANUFACTURER WOULD RECEIVE THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 28, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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 .
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.
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
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.
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.
Engine, Sep 25, 2016
TODAY WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY TO THE AIRPORT ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2010 BMW 328I SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I DIDN'T REALIZE THE ENGINE HAD DIED SO I KEPT GOING UNTIL THE CAR GOT DANGEROUSLY SLOW. THEN I HAD TO PULL OVER 4 LANE TO THE RIGHT AND MIRACULOUSLY WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. I TRIED RESTARTING BUT IT WOULDN'T AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUALTION AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT GIVING THIS CAR BACK TO MY WIFE WHO IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS AND THAT CONFIDENCE IS BADLY DAMAGED.
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!
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE MOTOR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RESTARTED AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500.
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.
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