1986 BMW 3 SERIES
0 recalls — 3 complaints — 9 TSBs
No recalls found for this vehicle.
Complaint Statistics
3 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
STRUCTURE
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE SLID ON AN ICY ROAD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, LEAVING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MANGLED, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES, CONSUMER QUESTIONS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *SLC
STRUCTURE
Dec 19, 2000
Incident date: Dec 27, 1990
10 YEARS AGO CONSUMERS CHILDREN WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THEY WERE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE THEY WERE DRIVING SPUN OUT OF CONTROL ON AN ICY BRIDGE, THE IMPACT CUT THE VEHICLE INTO TWO PIECES (POSSIBLE STRUCTURAL PROBLEM), THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NLM
STRUCTURE
Dec 5, 2000
Incident date: Dec 27, 1990
10 YEARS AGO CONSUMERS CHILDREN WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THEY WERE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE THEY WERE DRIVING SPUN OUT OF CONTROL ON AN ICY BRIDGE, THE IMPACT CUT THE VEHICLE INTO TWO PIECES (POSSIBLE STRUCTURAL PROBLEM), THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NLM
EPA Fuel Economy — 1986 BMW 3 SERIES
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 18.0 | 25.0 | 20.0 | Regular | $3,400 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 19.0 | 26.0 | 21.0 | Regular | $3,200 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins — 1986 BMW 3 SERIES
9 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| 032200 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP | 1 |
| 061120 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 1 |
| 061320 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 1 |
| 123000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
SI B63 02 08
May 1, 2008
123000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
REAR BULB FAILURE. MODEL E92 (3 SERIES COUPE) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 21, 2008 ARE AFFECTED. THE BULB OUT WARNING SHOWS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE
SI B11 13 07
Apr 1, 2008
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND 335XI; E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES) 535I AND 535XI, ALL WITH N54 ENGINE FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION TO JANUARY 17, 2008 PRODUCTION. *PE
SI B11 13 07
Apr 1, 2008
061120 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND 335XI; E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES) 535I AND 535XI, ALL WITH N54 ENGINE FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION TO JANUARY 17, 2008 PRODUCTION. *PE
SI B11 13 07
Apr 1, 2008
061320 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND 335XI; E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES) 535I AND 535XI, ALL WITH N54 ENGINE FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION TO JANUARY 17, 2008 PRODUCTION. *PE
SI B12 01 08
Jan 1, 2008
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
N52 EDK THROTTLE JAMMING FAULTS 2D09, 2CED AND 2CEC. MODEL E90 AND E91 (3 SERIES) AND E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES), ALL MODELS UP TO 11/2005 WITH N52 ENGINE. *PE
120405
Mar 1, 2006
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND/OR VEHICLE OVERHEATS. BMW E90 (3 SERIES) ALL E90 (3 SERIES) AND E60 (5 SERIES) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH N52 ENGINE. *TT
34 02 98
Apr 1, 1998
032200 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
SUBJECT REGARDING THE ABS/ASC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING DYNAMOMETER TEST. *YC *JN
NHTSA Safety Investigations — BMW 3 SERIES
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
EA02012
Opened: Jul 15, 2002 — Closed: Jun 24, 2003
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME
THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC FOR DEPLOYING THE SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS.BMW REVISED THE MODULE SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE SPAN OF THE MODEL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2002 (IDENTIFIED AS MRS2.CA, MRS2.BB, MRS3, MRS3+ AND MRS4).ALTHOUGH MODEL YEAR 1999.5 VEHICLE... Read more
PE02011
Opened: Jan 31, 2002 — Closed: Jul 15, 2002
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG
PE99017
Opened: Mar 2, 1999 — Closed: May 11, 1999
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S OR FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT A VEHICLE CRASH
BMW 3 SERIES — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 3 SERIES across all model years (1992–2023).
49
Total Recalls
1,157
Total Complaints
3
Investigations
50
Reported Crashes
32
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW 3 SERIES — Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2013 | 0 | 34 | View |
| 2012 | 3 | 11 | View |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 2010 | 3 | 43 | View |
| 2009 | 2 | 74 | View |
| 2008 | 3 | 93 | View |
| 2007 | 2 | 190 | View |
| 2006 | 4 | 288 | View |
| 2005 | 0 | 29 | View |
| 2004 | 0 | 93 | View |
| 2003 | 0 | 67 | View |
| 2002 | 0 | 40 | View |
| 2001 | 1 | 49 | View |
| 2000 | 1 | 111 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 6 | View |
| 1998 | 4 | 4 | View |
| 1997 | 4 | 6 | View |
| 1996 | 4 | 3 | View |
| 1995 | 4 | 3 | View |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1986 (current) | 0 | 3 |