Vehicle Data Hub

2011 BMW M3 engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 16 complaints for the 2011 BMW M3, 39% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
16 39% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
45,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2011 BMW M3 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 45,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 0 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 3 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 6 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 3 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 1 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 45,000 miles
Based on 14 complaints that include mileage. 64% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles0
20k to 40k miles3
40k to 60k miles6
60k to 80k miles3
80k to 100k miles1
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 14 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 45,000 miles, and 64% were reported before 60,000 miles.

None of the engine complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.

What owners wrote

Ticking noise in the engine gradually got louder. Oil warning that it was low on oil. Added oil, still said it was low, then said it was too much. Then said it was low (particles from bearings were clogged in oil sensor giving false reading). Finally parked car when noise was so great that I thought it was going to blow up. Rod bears disintegrated on cylinders 2 and 5. Had to replace the engine.

Reported at 35,150 miles, August 2014

2011 BMW dct m3 engine turns off by it self while driving through intersection. Transmission goes into neutral. "n" pops up on the center cockpit. Steering wheel lock. Brakes work. Had to maintain foot on brakes. Have to push "engine start" button. Car starts up again. Engine stalling and shutting off is a safety hazard, especially if the car is in motion. Could cause death to end users or other people. Can cause property damages as well. This has happen twice within a 8 week period.

Reported at 44,000 miles, October 2014

Engine problems in other years

  • 2027
  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
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  • 2011
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  • 2008
  • 2007
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  • 2005
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  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998
  • 1997
  • 1996
  • 1995
  • 1994
  • 1993
  • 1992
  • 1991
  • 1990

Engine problems across all BMW models