Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 BMW M3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 BMW M3 failed the safety check 0.37% of the time — 46% less often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 8,350 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Real-world fuel consumption
2,491 BMW M3 cars first registered in Europe in 2023 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 13.2 l/100 km on the road against 10.1 in the WLTP test (+31%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,720 | 13.2 | 10.1 | +31% |
| Petrol hybrid | 771 | 9.9 | 8.3 | +20% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
166 first registered in 2023 are on Dutch roads; 63% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €167,422.
Most common APK defects
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2,709 cars built in 2023 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 52 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
8 of these cars first registered in 2023 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
2 2023 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 12.6–12.7 L/100 km (about 19 mpg US), CO₂ 293–296 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3 Sedan · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.7 | 10.1 | 12.6 |
| M3 Competition M xDrive Sedan · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.6 | 10.5 | 12.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2023 BMW M3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10250374 | An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in thecenter of the instrument panel. The groaning noise always occurs when either a ventilation flap, air stratification flap or the recirculated airflap moves to a different position. Due to the complex design of the heating and air-conditioning unit, the kinematics causing it (top or bottom,left or right) may not be able to be precisely located. Depending on the vehicle model, the number of servomotors (and the associated kinematics unit) varies.Various models use either 2 or 3 servomoto |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10249016 | With the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking and orclicking type noise when turning the steering wheel left/right. See attached video V31 01 24. The sound can reoccur when the vehicle is lowered, and the wheels are once again under load. The noise might also be heard for a short time while driving. |
| 10249015 | A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system(NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5mm For: Model vehicles other that the ones listed above, or for EVAP faults related to a large leak, after confirming that the fuel filler cap is fitted properly, then, proceed to follow the corresponding test plan |
| 10248092 | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective February 9, 2023) on certain Model Year 2022 2023 BMW vehicles that were produced between June 29, 2022 and February 16, 2023. This was originally called Wireless Charging Tray. Software in potentially affected vehicles may not recognize the removal of the digital key (Key Card or mobile phone) from the wireless charging tray, and thereby not meeting a federal requirement. On February 17, 2023 , the Delivery Stop was upgraded to a Non-Compliance Recall (see SI B84 01 23 ). SIB84 01 23 outlined a procedure for vehicles at that time which we |
| 10244237 | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material- |
| 10242970 | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective September 28, 2023) on certain Model Year 2023 BMWvehicles that were produced between January 23, 2023, and June 15, 2023. |
| 10242967 | BMW AG has requested the inspection of all dealer stock of the following part number(s) listed below to ensure the spacer is conformed to drawing. |
| 10239611 | Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circuit cycles exceeded |
| 10239610 | Condensation is present on the inner surfaces in one or both taillights (circled). |
| 10239602 | A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system (NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5 mm. |
| 10239601 | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop effective June 6, 2023 on certain Model Year 2023 - 2024 BMW vehicles that were produced between October 26, 2022 and May 8, 2023. |
| 10238081 | Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator. |
| 10235206 | Customer is shown an incorrect GPS location in the vehicle (i.e., Nav Map, coordinates). |
| 10235203 | Customer states there is no audio playback (telephony, navigation, radio) and system sounds (PDC, turn indicators, acoustic signals) may also have failed. |
| 10235198 | In SPORT mode, a black square appears in the RPM gauge (tachometer) section of the instrument cluster display. |
| 10235180 | When turning the steering wheel while stationary or when driving on uneven roads; cracking, creaking, or knocking noises may be heard. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)