Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1995 BMW M3 peaked in 2002, with 2 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1995 BMW M3
Coupe, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from May 14, 1996 to Aug 24, 2019.
Recall campaigns covering this model year4987k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints12Close to the median 1995 coupe
Severity index33.31995 coupes average 20.7
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Components
33% of complaints about the 1995 BMW M3 name brakes
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
4 recall campaigns cover the 1995 BMW M3
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98V-178 | Aug 4, 1998 | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles | Engine and cooling | 340,000 | Repair or modification |
| 97V-131 | Aug 19, 1997 | Cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing | Speed control | 410,000 | Repair or modification |
| 96V-111 | Jul 1, 1996 | Brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position | Lighting | 180,000 | Part replacement |
| 94V-151 | Aug 10, 1994 | In a fmvss no. 208 30 miles-per-hour compliance test, an unbelted test driver dummy's chest maximum resultant acceleration was 70.8 g's, which… | Seat belts | 57,000 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1995 BMW M3
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
12 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Aug 24, 2019Failure Aug 1, 2019NEW York City, NYTires, Wheels
TIRES ARE MANUFACTURED BY FEDERAL (TAIWAN IMPORT). TREAD IS DELAMINATING OVER THE ENTIRE CROSS-SECTION OF TREAD, TIRE UNDER 3 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 5K MILES. WIDE-SPREAD ISSUE PER GOOGLE. TIRES HAVE BEEN USED FOR REGULAR ROAD-DRIVING IN NJ. NO ACCIDENT HAS TAKEN PLACE (YET).
NHTSA complaint 11246179 - Filed Apr 6, 2009Failure Apr 2, 200987,000 milesPasco, WAAir bags
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 2 MINUTES; COMMON PROBLEM FOR 1995 3 SERIES ACCORDING TO INTERNET FORUM (HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T595499-AIRBAG_LIGHT). *TR
NHTSA complaint 10264270 - Filed May 1, 2006Failure Nov 10, 2005175,000 milesSugar Land, TXBuckle assembly, Service brakes, Control unit/module
I OWED THIS 1995 BMW M3 SINCE NEW AND ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON VERY FREQUENTLY. ABS: NEED TO REPLACE ABS PUMP AND ABS MODULE. AIRBAG: NEED TO REPLACE SAFETY SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *NM
NHTSA complaint 10156503 - Filed Sep 2, 2005Failure Mar 2, 19951,845 milesKirkland, WACooling system1 injured
SAFETY RECALL 98V-178; REGARDING THE 1995 BMW M3. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE ELEVEN TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, HOT COOLANT WAS EXPELLED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW AND SUNROOF. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR BURNS AND IRRITATION TO HIS SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, HOUSING, RELATED GASKETS AND CONNECTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10136707 - Filed Sep 14, 2004Failure Sep 14, 2004Manhattan Beach, CASwitch
WHILE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER HAS PLACED REFUSES ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER BRAKE LIGHT WHICH NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT THE CAMPAIGN BULLENTIN WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint 10092113 - Filed Sep 21, 2003Failure Jun 19, 2003102 milesHouston, TXRear
PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK TORN OUT FROM THE SHOCK TOWER. STRESS CRACKS IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOCK TOWER WITH FAILURE IMMINENT. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF THE SHOCK TOWERS BEFORE AND AFTER THEY WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR AS WELL AS THE SHOCK TOWERS THEMSELVES. I HAVE FOUND MANY EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON BMW M3'S REPORTED ON NATIONAL E-MAIL LISTS. I CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF THE E-MAILS.*JB
NHTSA complaint 10039232 - Filed Feb 11, 2003Failure Aug 12, 2002Silver Spring, MDService brakes, Hydraulic
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING, AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED.*DT *JB
NHTSA complaint 567779 - Filed Aug 28, 2002Failure Aug 18, 2002Armonk, NYHydraulic power assist systemCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WAS SIDESWIPED, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint 8017481 - Filed Aug 27, 2002Failure Aug 1, 2001Charlotte, NCSprings
BOTTOM OF DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED - BROKE COMPLETELY AND RATTLING AROUND IN LOWER SUPPORT. COULD NOT IDENTIFY RATTLE FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL RECENTLY. MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF FAILURE THIS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE PART WAS THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR MATERIALS USED. IF THE SPRING HAD FAILED IN THE MIDDLE, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE. SINCE THE PART BROKE AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE UNIT AT THEIR EXPENSE.*AK
NHTSA complaint 766279 - Filed Aug 26, 1999Topanga, CAFuel system, Tank assembly
VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND THERE ARE SMELLS OF GAS VAPORS WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. DEALER HAS FIXED VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM BEFORE. DEALER REPLACED FITTINGS IN THE SENDING UNITBUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA complaint 845884 - Filed Dec 8, 1997Portland, ORService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCrash
ABS SYSTEM FAILS, LOCKING UP THE BACK UP SYSTEM WITH UNEVEN BRAKING, RESULTING IN BOTH RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES LOCKING UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL ALMOST INTO A CIRCLE. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM FROM PREVIOUS OWNER. DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AT DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA complaint 819821 - Filed May 14, 1996Failure May 14, 1996Houston, TXFrontal, Service brakes, Foundation componentsCrash1 injured
WHEN A SLOWER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF CAR, DRIVER HIT BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE SPINNED, LOST CONTROL AND SMASHE DINTO CONCRETE CARRIER. *AK
NHTSA complaint 504528
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- B340714 Oct 13, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material- - SIB-33-01-02 Jul 1, 2011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 (E90), COUPE (92), … - 36 01 98 Mar 1, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO MICHELIN PILOT SX MXX3 TIRES IN 235/40 ZR 17 AND 225/45 ZR 17 SIZES. *YC
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.