RecallRepo

2010 BMW 3 Series Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2010 BMW 3 Series has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,074,902 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 23V707000 2023-10-20 157,796 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22V119000 2022-03-02 917,106 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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…

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
10
1crashes
ENGINE
6
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
TIRES
2
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1
1fires
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
1
Total complaints43

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Air bag light just came on, had it checked but still there”

AIR BAGS · reported 2019-02-06

“Found a broken bolt of the intake cylinder head, was broke without any reason. I not the only one, found this video. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7hizib96pq there are 3 more bolts inside the cylinder head that can cause serious damage on the engine if broken.”

ENGINE · reported 2018-11-01

“Takata recall - I think air bag and seat belt warning lights are on all the time. Bmw says there is no recall affecting this. Both stationary and moving.”

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · reported 2018-09-22

“Takata recall - I think air bag and seat belt warning lights are on all the time. Bmw says there is no recall affecting this. Both stationary and moving.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-09-22

“Takata recall - I think air bag and seat belt warning lights are on all the time. Bmw says there is no recall affecting this. Both stationary and moving.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-09-22

“Takata recall - I think air bag and seat belt warning lights are on all the time. Bmw says there is no recall affecting this. Both stationary and moving.”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2018-09-22

“Too long to remedy”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-08-11

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-06-05
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2010 BMW 3 Series as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.