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V8NA.CLUB

M3 E9x

Years
2008–2013
Body
Sedan, coupe, and convertible
Seats
4
Drive
RWD
Transmission
Automated manual, automatic, and manual
Fuel
Gasoline

Engines

Fuel economy

Every version the EPA tested, with fuel economy in miles per gallon.

S65

YearTransmissionCity / hwy / combined
2008Automatic (S7)DCT TRANS14 / 20 / 16
2008Automatic (S7)DCT TRANS14 / 20 / 16
2008Automatic (S7)DCT TRANS14 / 20 / 16
2008Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2008Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2008Manual 6-spd13 / 19 / 16
2009Automatic (S7)DCT TRANS14 / 20 / 16
2009Automatic (S7)DCT TRANS14 / 20 / 16
2009Automatic (S7)DCT TRANS14 / 20 / 16
2009Manual 6-spd13 / 20 / 16
2009Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2009Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2010Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2010Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2010Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2010Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2010Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2010Manual 6-spd13 / 20 / 16
2011Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2011Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2011Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2011Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2011Manual 6-spd14 / 21 / 16
2011Manual 6-spd14 / 21 / 16
2012Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2012Automatic (S7)14 / 20 / 16
2012Manual 6-spd14 / 21 / 16
2012Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16
2013Automatic (AM-S7)14 / 20 / 16
2013Automatic (AM-S7)14 / 20 / 16
2013Manual 6-spd14 / 21 / 16
2013Manual 6-spd14 / 20 / 16

Recalls

Recalls cover every M3 built in 2008–2013, including versions without a naturally aspirated V8.

  1. Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleModel years 2008–2013Recall date Jan 15, 2020

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    What can happen
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    The fix
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
    NHTSA campaign 20V017000
  2. Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakersModel years 2008–2012Recall date Jun 19, 2019

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

    What can happen
    A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    The fix
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
    NHTSA campaign 19V472000
  3. Electrical system › WiringModel years 2008–2011Recall date Oct 25, 2017

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

    What can happen
    Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
    The fix
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
    NHTSA campaign 17V676000
  4. Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleModel years 2008–2013Recall date Feb 5, 2016

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    What can happen
    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    The fix
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
    NHTSA campaign 16V071000
  5. Power train › Clutch assemblyModel years 2008–2009Recall date Nov 14, 2008

    BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.

    What can happen
    IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    The fix
    DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
    NHTSA campaign 08V595000

Owner complaints

173 of the 202 owner complaints NHTSA holds for 2008–2013 M3s come from cars with a naturally aspirated V8, going by the VIN. The rest are from other engines (7) or couldn’t be matched to an engine (22).

S65
173

Most-reported components

ComponentComplaintsModel years
Power train662008–2011, 2013
Engine472008–2013
Air bags402008–2013
Electrical system262008–2011, 2013
Vehicle speed control72008–2009, 2011
Service brakes62008–2011
Electronic stability control (ESC)42008–2009
Exterior lighting32009–2011
Unknown or other32008, 2010–2011
Fuel/propulsion system22008, 2013

Fuel economy from the EPA, downloaded Nov 8, 2026. Recalls and complaints from NHTSA, fetched Nov 8, 2026.