2010 Bmw 3 SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
59,256 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 30 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Air Bags: 10; Engine: 6; Electrical System: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 6; 2017: 8; 2018: 4; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10336006 · 2010-06-13 (June 13, 2010)
WE LEASED A NEW 2010 BMW 335D (DIESEL) ON 12/12/09. ON 2/28/10, THE CAR FAILED TO START FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER A VERY HEAVY RAIN AND WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY BMW DEALER. WE TOLD THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR THAT WE BELIEVED THERE WAS WATER IN THE SYSTEM RESULTING FROM THE RAIN. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, HE TOLD US THAT THE CAR'S FAILURE TO START TWICE AFTER A HEAVY RAIN WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE, THAT THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE SYSTEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF FAULTY GLOW PLUGS, WHICH WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO COME FROM GERMANY. HE ALSO INFORMED …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448436 · 2012-02-18 (February 18, 2012)
I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PASSED THE VEHICLE AND ACCELERATED IN ORDER TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR BEHIND ME. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, WHEN I "PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL", I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. MY CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER FOR ABOUT 5 - 8 SECONDS. THE CAR I HAD JUST PASSED NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EXPECT ME PASS AND THEN REDUCE MY SPEED. I TOOK MY CARE TO THE BMW DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THEY CHECKS OUT THE CAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10448436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386048 · 2011-03-01 (March 1, 2011)
I HAVE A 2010 BMW 328I. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE, MY FOOT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW'S AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A 2009 ESCALADE AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10386048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509785 · 2013-04-27 (April 27, 2013)
DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT CURLED UP AT FRONT AND WAS CAPTURED BY CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN CHANGING GEAR. WHEN CLUTCH WAS AGAIN ENGAGED, MAT WAS PULLED UP AND INTERFERED WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE OPERATION BEFORE FREEING ITSELF AND FALLING BACK ONTO FLOOR WELL. SINCE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10627101 · 2014-08-21 (August 21, 2014)
I AM 5'2", FAT AND WANTED EITHER AN ON/SWITCH FOR MY FRONT DRIVER'S AIRBAG, OR I WAS GOING TO APPLY UNDER YOUR GUIDELINES TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. BMW APPARENTLY CAN DO NEITHER SINCE THEIR AIRBAG IS TIED INTO ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND REGARDING WHAT FOR ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT TO BE DECAPITATED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DO YOU HAVE ANY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OVER THIS THAT WOULD MAKE BMW COMPLY WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11099988 · 2018-06-05 (June 5, 2018)
IN NOVEMBER 2017, BMW SENT ME LETTERS REGARDING POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO DEFECTS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND THE PCV VALVE HEATER (RECALL NUMBERS 17V-676 AND 17V-683). NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND NO REPAIR OFFERED TO CORRECT POSSIBLE DEFECTS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEM RELATED TO THESE PARTS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THESE ISSUES, BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL AND REPAIR AFFECTED CARS PROMPTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11099988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10816877 · 2015-12-29 (December 29, 2015)
CATALYTIC PERMANENT FAILURE-REPLACE, 08MAY14, 30KMILES. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACE, 16JUN14, 30KMILES. EXTREME CARBON BUILD UP-WALNUT BLAST CYLINDERS,CLEAN INTAKE&EXHAUST SIDE, 23MAR15, 35KMILES. REPLACE INJECTOR, 08APR15, 35K MILES. REPLACE NOX SENSOR, 17APR15, 29KMILES. DIESEL ACTIVE TANK FAILURE 28 SEPT 15, 37K MILES. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE-PART ON BACK ORDER, 28SEPT15, 37KMILES. DSC REAR SENSOR FAILURE,07DEC15, 38K MILES. ABOVE ENGINE AND RELATED EMISSIONS FAULTS CAUSED POOR MILEAGE AND POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND EXPENSIVE REP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10816877 at NHTSA ↗