2010 BMW 3 Series problems
The 2010 BMW 3 Series has 43 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (26%) concerns air bags. Next are engine (16%) and electrical system (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 43 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 62,000 miles 29 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 29 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 62,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the BMW 3 Series with enough data (28 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 BMW 3 series. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, smoke started to emit from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road in order to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that once the hood of vehicle was open, he observed flames coming from the engine. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the emission valve overheated. The vehicle was not repaired.
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.
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?
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.