2011 Bmw M3 US
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Bmw M3 US has 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: driving in 60/mph speed. when overtaking a truck; 'engine fault' warning light came-up. vehicle transmission automatically turned to neutral. engine was cut-off. truck was about to rear-end my car. unfortunately, no one was hurt (toddler was inside the car). i pulled over immediately and called the . ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
14
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
4 complaints- • DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE
- • MY CAR WAS IN SECOND WASN'T SPEEDING ON A LOCAL STREET AS I PUT IT IN 3RD GEAR MY CAR SHUT OFF THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I TOOK IT TO BMW SINCE I HAVE WARRANTY FOR 3 YEAS MIND YOU I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS I GOT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN
- • I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS TRAVELING AROUND 45MPH. AS I SWITCHED GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD I NOTICED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. MY VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE CAR THEY SA
“DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
3 complaints- • DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE
- • MY CAR WAS IN SECOND WASN'T SPEEDING ON A LOCAL STREET AS I PUT IT IN 3RD GEAR MY CAR SHUT OFF THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I TOOK IT TO BMW SINCE I HAVE WARRANTY FOR 3 YEAS MIND YOU I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS I GOT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3 US. WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RALLYE BMW (516-393-0000, LOCATED AT 1 BRUSH HOLLOW RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590) WH
“DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
3 complaints- • I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE AIRBAG RECALL FIXED BUT MY BMW DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THE REPAIR KITS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR AND AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME FEB 2016. *TR
- • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3 US. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 MANUFAC
- • TAKATA RECALL BMW DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HONORING THEIR RECALL OBLIGATION. I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE DESPITE CONTACTING THE DEALER REPEATEDLY. BMW HAS BEEN PROMISING THE PARTS FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW. I BELIEVE THEY ARE STALLING TO REDUCE THEIR COST DUE TO CA
“I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE AIRBAG RECALL FIXED BUT MY BMW DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THE REPAIR KITS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR AND AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME FEB 2016. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
2 complaints- • AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE THIRD LANE AT 70 MPH MY ENTIRE ELECTRICITY TO THE CAR SHUT OFF . WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND NO TIME TO GET OVER I ALMOST GOT HIT . AFTER BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL HIGH SPEEDING CAR. IT SUDDENLY CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME ,JUST THE DANGEROUS M
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3 US. WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RALLYE BMW (516-393-0000, LOCATED AT 1 BRUSH HOLLOW RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590) WH
“AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE THIRD LANE AT 70 MPH MY ENTIRE ELECTRICITY TO THE CAR SHUT OFF . WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND NO TIME TO GET OVER I ALMOST GOT HIT . AFTER BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL HIGH SPEEDING CAR. IT SUDDENLY CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME ,JUST THE DANGEROUS M”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
1 complaints- • DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE
“DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 14 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: DRIVING IN 60/MPH SPEED. WHEN OVERTAKING A TRUCK; 'ENGINE FAULT' WARNING LIGHT CAME-UP. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS CUT-OFF. TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO REAR-END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (TODDLER WAS INSIDE THE CAR). I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE AIRBAG RECALL FIXED BUT MY BMW DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THE REPAIR KITS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR AND AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME FEB 2016. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE THIRD LANE AT 70 MPH MY ENTIRE ELECTRICITY TO THE CAR SHUT OFF . WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND NO TIME TO GET OVER I ALMOST GOT HIT . AFTER BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL HIGH SPEEDING CAR. IT SUDDENLY CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME ,JUST THE DANGEROUS M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw M3 US — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw M3 US