KnownCarProblems2010 BMW 3 Series Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 3 Series, most often about the air bags (33% of complaints, typically around 72,500 miles). It is 9th of 14 3 Series model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2010 BMW 3 Series problems
Air bags
10 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Driving from work on a snowing day, going about 25 to 35. The rear of the car started going to the other side of lane. I traded to get control but it was to late. I hit a guard rail and the air bags never came out.
Takata recall. The recall was issued in february 2016. It is now almost august 2017. 18 months for a safety recall is beyond reasonable to drive an unsafe vehicle.
Engine
6 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
I was driving on the highway 295 around 67 MPH. While I was on the highway about 10 minutes I felt a loss of speed about five times. It feel like I let go the gas pedal, but I never did. And suddenly the car stalled while I was on 67 MPH. I try to pulled to the right side lane of the highway. I try to start the car…
When driving on pa-401, I approached stop sign at pa-82. My speed was approximately 40 MPH, slowing to make a routine stop. When approaching the intersection at low speed, I started hearing a pulsing thump from the passenger side of the car. Drove slowly home and had the car towed to a BMW dealer. It turned out that…
Electrical
5 complaints · 17%Noticed the passenger side blinker started to blink quickly. The brakes and tail lights use a bulb while the blinker has approximately 15 leds. Therefore the entire light assembly has to be replaced. Several of the leds do not light up and the ones that do are dim. Two weeks later the driver side blinker did the same…
Passenger side rear turn signal ceased to function....updated 03/31/15 the consumer discovered there was nothing wrong with the tail light. It was just a loose connection.
Fuel system
3 complaints · 10%Faulty fuel injectors. Known problem at BMW and mechanics. BMW has offered an "limited warranty extension". Why wasn't it a full recall? My vehicle was not in an accident. I'm reporting it only as a concern.
Speed control
3 complaints · 10%I was driving on the highway 295 around 67 MPH. While I was on the highway about 10 minutes I felt a loss of speed about five times. It feel like I let go the gas pedal, but I never did. And suddenly the car stalled while I was on 67 MPH. I try to pulled to the right side lane of the highway. I try to start the car…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i equipped with continental contipro contact tires, size 205/55/r16, dot number: 1lt4 bxh62711. The contact stated that all four of the tires would consistently loose air and the tire pressure warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer replaced the tires, but the…
Bridgestone potenza tire tread separating from the tire - delimitation? Normal highway driving in arizona. Tire appears to have significant tread left and still holds air. See photo.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 BMW 3 Series recalls
Engine
Risk: Loose or broken vanos unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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,
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2010 BMW 3 Series
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW 3 Series?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (10 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); engine (6 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); electrical (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2010 BMW 3 Series have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 20, 2023 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the BMW 3 Series?
- It is 9th of 14 3 Series model years by number of complaints, with 30 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.