MYRModel Year Report

BMW M3 — years to avoid

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

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

Avoid1 year

Caution1 year

Best bets2 years

Complaint history

1988: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1992: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1997: 19 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 11 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2001: 14 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 40 complaints, Recommended 2003: 54 complaints, Caution 2003 2004: 31 complaints, Recommended 2005: 12 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 14 complaints, Not enough data 2007: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 82 complaints, Avoid 2008 2009: 45 complaints, Recommended 2010: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2011: 31 complaints, Recommended 2012: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2013: 13 complaints, Not enough data 2013 2014: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2015: 4 complaints, Not enough data 2016: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2017: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2018: 9 complaints, Not enough data 2018 2021: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2022: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2023: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2023 2025: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2008 · 82
1988: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1997: 19 complaints, Not enough data 1997 1998: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1999: 11 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2001: 14 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 40 complaints, Recommended 2003: 54 complaints, Caution 2003 2004: 31 complaints, Recommended 2005: 12 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 14 complaints, Not enough data 2007: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 82 complaints, Avoid 2008 2009: 45 complaints, Recommended 2010: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2011: 31 complaints, Recommended 2012: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2012 2013: 13 complaints, Not enough data 2014: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2015: 4 complaints, Not enough data 2015 2016: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2017: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2018: 9 complaints, Not enough data 2018 2021: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2021 2022: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2023: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2024 2025: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2008 · 82
1988: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1990 1991: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1992: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1992 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1997: 19 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 11 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2001: 14 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 40 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 54 complaints, Caution 2004: 31 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 12 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 14 complaints, Not enough data 2006 2007: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 82 complaints, Avoid 2008 2009: 45 complaints, Recommended 2010: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2010 2011: 31 complaints, Recommended 2012: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2012 2013: 13 complaints, Not enough data 2014: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2014 2015: 4 complaints, Not enough data 2016: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2016 2017: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2018: 9 complaints, Not enough data 2018 2020 2021: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2022: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2022 2023: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2024 2025: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2008 · 82
  • 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
2025 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2024 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2023 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2022 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2021 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2019–2020 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2018 ○ Not enough data 9 Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2017 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2016 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2015 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2014 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2013 ○ Not enough data 13 Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2012 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2011 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ○ Not enough data 15 Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2009 ● Recommended 45 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ■ Avoid 82 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2007 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2006 ○ Not enough data 14 Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2005 ○ Not enough data 12 Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ◆ Caution 54 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2002 ● Recommended 40 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001 ○ Not enough data 14 Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2000 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1999 ○ Not enough data 11 Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1998 ○ Not enough data 14 Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ○ Not enough data 19 Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1995 ○ Not enough data 12 Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1994 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints 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.
1991 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1990 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1989 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1988 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints 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

26

recalls on file across every BMW M3 model year.

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

Other BMW models