MYRModel Year Report

BMW 3 Series — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid, 2 to watch and 2 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Caution2 years

Best bets2 years

Complaint history

1986: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1986 1991 1992: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1995: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1996: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1996 1997: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1999: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 88 complaints, Caution 2001: 36 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 26 complaints, Not enough data 2003: 73 complaints, Recommended 2004: 77 complaints, Recommended 2005: 25 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 202 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 115 complaints, Caution 2008: 68 complaints, Recommended 2009: 53 complaints, Recommended 2010: 30 complaints, Recommended 2011: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2011 2012: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2013: 21 complaints, Not enough data 2016 2021 2023: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006 · 202
1986: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1986 1989 1992: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1992 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1995: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1995 1996: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1997: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 88 complaints, Caution 2001: 36 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 26 complaints, Not enough data 2003: 73 complaints, Recommended 2004: 77 complaints, Recommended 2005: 25 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 202 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 115 complaints, Caution 2008: 68 complaints, Recommended 2009: 53 complaints, Recommended 2010: 30 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2013: 21 complaints, Not enough data 2013 2016 2019 2022 2023: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006 · 202
1986: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1986 1988 1990 1992: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1992 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1995: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1996: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1996 1997: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 88 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 36 complaints, Recommended 2002: 26 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 73 complaints, Recommended 2004: 77 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 25 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 202 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 115 complaints, Caution 2008: 68 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 53 complaints, Recommended 2010: 30 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2012 2013: 21 complaints, Not enough data 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2023: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006 · 202
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2023 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2014–2022 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2013 ○ Not enough data 21 Only 21 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2012 ○ Not enough data 7 Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2011 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2010 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ● Recommended 53 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 68 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ◆ Caution 115 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ■ Avoid 202 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2005 ○ Not enough data 25 Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ● Recommended 77 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2003 ● Recommended 73 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2002 ○ Not enough data 26 Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2001 ▲ Recommended 36 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ◆ Caution 88 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1998 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1995 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1994 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1993 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987–1991 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1986 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

13

recalls on file across every BMW 3 Series model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other BMW models