BMW M3 recalls
DVSA has published 11 safety recalls that name the BMW M3 since 2008, 5 of them since 2020. Between them they cover at least 78,989 UK vehicles of this model.
Is your M3 affected? Check the exact vehicle
How the BMW M3 does at the MOT: BMW M3 MOT pass rate and common failures.
All BMW M3 recalls, newest first
1 SERIES, 1 SERIES 3 DOOR HATCH, 1 SERIES 5 DOOR HATCH, 1 SERIES COUPE, 2 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER, 2 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 2 SERIES COUPE, 2 SERIES GRAN TOURER, 3 SERIES, 3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 3 SERIES COUPE, 3 SERIES GT, 3 SERIES SALOON, 3 SERIES TOURING, 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 4 SERIES COUPE, 4 SERIES GRAN COUPE, 5 SERIES GT, 5 SERIES SALOON, 5 SERIES TOURING, 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 6 SERIES COUPE, 6 SERIES GRAN COUPE, M2, M3, M4 CONVERTIBLE, M4 COUPE, X1, X3, X4, X5, X5M, X6, X6M · takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global vins)
18 Dec 2025 · R/2025/349
Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Fix: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.
97 vehicles · built 29 Oct 2013 to 29 Jun 2017
3 SERIES TOURING, M3, M3 TOURING, X3, X3M, X4, X5, X5M, X6M · on affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module
20 Dec 2023 · R/2023/354
On affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module
Fix: On affected vehicles the transmission mechatronic module will be replaced
26 vehicles · built 24 Jan 2023 to 1 Feb 2023
1 SERIES 3 DOOR HATCH, 1 SERIES 5 DOOR HATCH, 2 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER, 2 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 2 SERIES COUPE, 2 SERIES GRAN TOURER, 3 SERIES GT, 3 SERIES SALOON, 3 SERIES TOURING, 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 4 SERIES COUPE, 4 SERIES GRAN COUPE, 5 SERIES GT, 5 SERIES SALOON, 5 SERIES TOURING, 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 6 SERIES COUPE, 6 SERIES GRAN COUPE, M2, M3, M4 CONVERTIBLE, M4 COUPE, X1, X3, X4, X5, X5M, X6, X6M · a possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
24 Jan 2023 · R/2023/016
A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Fix: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.
2,486 vehicles · built 10 Mar 2014 to 29 Jun 2017
M3 · it is possible a screw of mechatronics transmission control may be missing
21 Feb 2022 · R/2022/050
It is possible that a screw of mechatronics transmission control may be missing.
Fix: The mechatronics unit will be replaced inside the transmission
1 vehicle · built 30 Nov 2021 to 30 Nov 2021
3 SERIES, M3 · the screw connection of the front seat belt buckle assembly to the seat frame may not be tightened properly
17 May 2021 · R/2021/168
The screw connection of the front seat belt buckle assembly to the seat frame may not be tightened properly.
Fix: On affected vehicles the screw connection of the lower belt of the front seats will be checked and if necessary reworked.
60 vehicles · built 2 Feb 2021 to 10 Mar 2021
M3, M4 · the cfk drive shaft 3 hole flange with a pushing piece is not produced with sufficient long term durability
21 Jan 2019 · R/2019/012
The flange of the propshaft may become detached.
Fix: Replace the propshaft with a alternative construction.
973 vehicles · built 29 Jun 2016 to 30 Sep 2016
1 SERIES, 3 SERIES, M3, X1, Z4 · plug in contact cable may malfunction
10 Apr 2017 · R/2017/114
It is possible that the connection between the B+ cable and the Power Distribution Box can become damaged by wear and heat which is caused by high current flow and high contact resistance. Normally this will result in a non-start situation after parking the vehicle. However it is possible that this could in extreme cases occur whilst the vehicle is in motion. The driver should be made aware of the issue by flickering of the instrument cluster (dash) or an engine mis-fire; but if the driver does not then the engine could cut-out without warning.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles with petrol engines and replace the cable/connection with a more robust item.
- M3: 36,410 vehicles · built 1 Dec 2009 to 13 Oct 2011
- M3: 36,410 vehicles · built 1 Dec 2009 to 13 Oct 2021
M3, M4 · driveshaft may fail
2 Dec 2015 · R/2015/240
The propshaft slide joint may not have been lubricated during manufacture
Fix: On affected vehicles check propshaft and hwere necessary replace propshaft.
6 vehicles · built 9 May 2015 to 11 Sep 2015
2 SERIES, 3 SERIES, 4 SEPIES, M3 · seat belt may malfunction
6 Jan 2015 · R/2014/188
On affected vehicles the Driver's seatbelt retractor may be faulty. The seat belt may be hard to pull out or below zero degrees it may not be possible to pull the belt out. In these instances a driver may not be able to use the belt as intended.
Fix: On affected vehicles Check belt operation and replace belt if necessary
1,502 vehicles · built 1 Sep 2014 to 31 Mar 2015
M3 · rear window pane may detach
18 Aug 2011 · R/2011/105
The rear side windows and the rear windscreen all made from a synthetic polycarbonate may detach from the vehicle causing a danger to other road users and possibly pedestrians.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the rear side windows and if necessary the rear windscreen with conventional glass windows.
17 vehicles · built 30 Apr 2010 to 15 Jun 2011
M3 · engine may cut out
6 Oct 2008 · R/2008/141
The double clutch is not operating at the optimum level. This could lead to the engine cutting out at low speeds.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to programme the necessary control units.
1,001 vehicles
Other BMW models
Source: DVSA recalls register, check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk, copy dated 6 Sep 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. A recall is listed here when DVSA names this model in it; the build dates on each recall say which cars it covers, and a registration check confirms your own.