1996 BMW M3
1 recalls, 1 complaints - 10 TSBs
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEP... Read more
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Complaint Statistics
1 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Jan 24, 2000
Incident date: Jun 16, 1998
I OWN A 1996 BMW M3. FOUR TIMES SINCE IT WAS NEW THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED, AND EACH TIME FUEL SENDERS WERE REPLACED TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. AS YOU'LL SEE, THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AMONG BMWS, BUT ONLY IN CALIFORNIA, AND BMW CAN'T OR WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE MANAGER (LARRY ... Read more
EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 BMW M3
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 18.0 | 26.0 | 21.0 | Premium | $3,650 |
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, 1996 BMW M3
10 manufacturer communications from 8 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 2 |
| 105500 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
| 070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| 190000 TIRES | 1 |
| 061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| 062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 |
| 022520 SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
B340714
Oct 13, 2023
030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
SIB-33-01-02
Jul 1, 2011
022520 SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM
SI-B11-07-09
Aug 1, 2009
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK RELEASE COUPLINGS FOR THE COOLANT HOSES MAY NOT BE LOCKED CORRECTLY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A COOLANT LEAK. MODELS AFFECTED ARE M3 SEDAN (E
SI-B11-07-09
Aug 1, 2009
062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK RELEASE COUPLINGS FOR THE COOLANT HOSES MAY NOT BE LOCKED CORRECTLY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A COOLANT LEAK. MODELS AFFECTED ARE M3 SEDAN (E
120299
Feb 1, 1999
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH ON COLD START. *TT
12 10 97
Apr 1, 1998
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. *YC *JN
12 10 97
Mar 1, 1998
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. PRODUCED FROM 10/95 - 11/97 *YC*DB
16 01 98
Mar 1, 1998
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC
36 01 98
Mar 1, 1998
190000 TIRES
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO MICHELIN PILOT SX MXX3 TIRES IN 235/40 ZR 17 AND 225/45 ZR 17 SIZES. *YC
MSG1407
Jan 27, 1997
105500 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
NEW DIFFERENTIAL HAS A FLANGE WITH 4 HOLES VERSUS THE OLD FLANGE THAT HAS 6 HOLES. *TW
NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW M3
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
RQ99018
Opened: Sep 3, 1999
INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
ON MARCH 26, 1999, BMW OF NORTH AMERICAN, INC. RECALLED 32,500 1999 323I AND 328I MANUFACTURED UP TO APRIL 1999, FOR INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POT HOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.AS A REMEDY, BMW WILL RECODE THE AIR BAG... Read more
BMW M3 - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW M3 across all model years (1988, 2023).
82
Total Recalls
554
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
31
Reported Crashes
6
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW M3 - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | View |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | View |
| 2021 | 3 | 5 | View |
| 2018 | 0 | 10 | View |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 | View |
| 2016 | 3 | 7 | View |
| 2015 | 3 | 4 | View |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2013 | 2 | 17 | View |
| 2012 | 3 | 6 | View |
| 2011 | 4 | 41 | View |
| 2010 | 4 | 20 | View |
| 2009 | 5 | 54 | View |
| 2008 | 5 | 102 | View |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2006 | 5 | 14 | View |
| 2005 | 3 | 12 | View |
| 2004 | 3 | 38 | View |
| 2003 | 5 | 69 | View |
| 2002 | 5 | 48 | View |
| 2001 | 4 | 20 | View |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 13 | View |
| 1998 | 1 | 18 | View |
| 1997 | 2 | 28 | View |
| 1996 (current) | 1 | 1 | |
| 1995 | 4 | 16 | View |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1988 | 1 | 2 | View |