BMW 3 Series recalls (DVSA)
DVSA has published 66 recalls for the BMW 3 Series, the most recent on 2 March 2026. A recall applies to the vehicles DVSA names by build date and VIN, not to every BMW 3 Series, so check any car you are looking at by registration on GOV.UK.
DVSA recalls for the BMW 3 Series, newest first
Build years covered: DVSA’s build dates for these recalls cover cars built between 1987 and 2025. 2 recalls give no complete build dates.
| Recall date | DVSA reference | Concern, in DVSA’s words | Build dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| R/2026/054 | Replace the Engine Starter MotorDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Sep 2020 – Apr 2025 | |
| R/2025/327 | Replace the Driver’s Airbag – Takata PSDI-5DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Convertible; 3 Series Coupe; 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Jan 2006 – Oct 2011Built Jan 2006 – May 2012Built May 2006 – Jun 2013Built Nov 2006 – Oct 2013 | |
| R/2025/349 | Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Convertible; 3 Series Coupe; 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Oct 1997 – Aug 2006Built Dec 2004 – Oct 2011Built Feb 2005 – May 2012Built Apr 2006 – Jun 2013Built Dec 2006 – Sep 2013 | |
| R/2025/405 | Replace the Engine Starter MotorDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon PHEV; 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Oct 2015 – Jul 2018Built Feb 2018 – Jun 2021Built Feb 2019 – Sep 2020 | |
| R/2025/323 | Replace the Front Passenger Airbag Takata PSPI | Built May 1999 – Aug 2006 | |
| R/2024/403 | Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Nov 2011 – Nov 2017Built Jan 2012 – Nov 2017 | |
| R/2024/428 | Replace the Passenger AirbagDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon | Built Jul 2024 | |
| R/2024/191 | Replace VANOS bolts N51 N52 N55DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Convertible; 3 Series Coupe; 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Oct 2009 – Jun 2011Built from Nov 2009Built Feb 2010 – Feb 2011Built Apr 2010 – Mar 2011 | |
| R/2024/132 | Replacing the Driver’s Airbag PSDI-5DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Dec 2004 – Dec 2005Built Apr 2005 – Dec 2005 | |
| R/2023/354 | On affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic moduleDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Touring | Built Jan 2023 | |
| R/2023/071 | On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it.DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon | Built Jul 2022 – Oct 2022 | |
| R/2023/016 | A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which m…DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Jun 2012 – Jun 2017 | |
| R/2022/323 | It is possible that a damaged seat belt may have been installed into the vehicle during production.DVSA lists this under: 3 Series Touring | Built Sep 2022 | |
| R/2022/297 | Manufacturing defect with winding of cell-internal films for high voltage batteryDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon | Built Jan 2021 | |
| R/2022/261 | In rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal eventDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon | Built Sep 2015 – Jul 2018 | |
| R/2022/255 | Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifoldDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Jul 2018 – Jul 2021Built Feb 2019 – Jun 2021 | |
| R/2022/206 | The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incidentDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Dec 2011 – Oct 2018Built Feb 2012 – Jun 2019 | |
| R/2022/089 | The micro gas generator within the front seatbelt's retractor may have been damagedDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Touring | Built Jan 2022 | |
| R/2021/430 | Excessive increase of cooling system temperature could lead to a bursting of the heater matrix radiator | Built Mar 1987 – May 1992 | |
| R/2021/288 | The tandam vacuum/oil pump may failDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon | Built Apr 2019 |
Older recalls (46 more)
| Recall date | DVSA reference | Concern, in DVSA’s words | Build dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| R/2021/268 | Some vehicles may be susceptible to damage to the anti-corrosion coating of the lower steering shaft | Built Aug 1990 – Aug 2000 | |
| R/2021/213 | The exhaust gas recirculation module could leak over timeDVSA lists this under: 3 Series Saloon; 3 Series Touring | Built Mar 2017 – Sep 2018Built Mar 2017 – Oct 2018 | |
| R/2021/168 | The screw connection of the front seat belt buckle assembly to the seat frame may not be tightened properly | Built Sep 2020 – Mar 2021 | |
| R/2021/085 | Affected vehicles may be fitted with brake discs which are not to specification | Built Jan 2021 – Feb 2021 | |
| R/2021/037 | The exhaust gas recirculation cooler could leak over time | Built Jul 2015 – Aug 2018 | |
| R/2021/015 | The battery cables on the 48v starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during production | Built Mar 2020 – Oct 2020 | |
| R/2020/283 | Remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit | Built Jun 2020 – Jul 2020 | |
| R/2020/298 | Remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit | Built Jan 2020 – Sep 2020 | |
| R/2020/219 | Steering tie rod can become broken in the 'kink' groove area of the rod | Built Oct 2018 – Mar 2019 | |
| R/2019/290 | The foldable rear centre head restraint interlock was not welded according to specifications | Built Jul 2019 | |
| R/2019/403 | Driver's front takata (nadi) airbag inflator may rupture on deployment | Built Oct 1997 – Jul 2000 | |
| R/2019/368 | The pressing force of the bearing bushing into the crankcase may be out of specification | Built Mar 2019 – Jul 2019 | |
| R/2019/086 | Potential rupture of driver front air bag inflator | Built Sep 1999 – Dec 2001 | |
| R/2018/341 | Exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak | Built Dec 2011 – Apr 2017 | |
| R/2018/258 | Exhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time | Built Mar 2015 – Oct 2017 | |
| R/2018/260 | Software fault in crankshaft sensor | Built May 2018 – Jun 2018 | |
| R/2018/211 | Software fault with crankshaft sensor | Built May 2018 – Jun 2018 | |
| R/2018/148 | Variation to electrical resistance in the blower regulator wiring harness connector | Built Apr 2005 – Jul 2011 | |
| R/2018/132 | Plug in contact cable may malfunction | Built Sep 2006 – Jun 2011 | |
| R/2017/132 | Driveshaft universal joint may break | Built Dec 2010 – Apr 2011 | |
| R/2017/114 | Plug in contact cable may malfunction | Built Dec 2009 – Oct 2011 | |
| R/2016/300 | Power steering may not perform correctly | Built Sep 2011 – Dec 2015 | |
| R/2016/252 | Drivers airbag may deploy incorrectly | Built Mar 2002 – Dec 2003 | |
| R/2016/224 | Possible loss of control | Built Jan 2015 – Sep 2016 | |
| R/2015/109 | Engine may stall | Built Sep 2013 – Apr 2014 | |
| R/2014/188 | Seat belt may malfunction | Built Sep 2014 – Mar 2015 | |
| R/2014/068 | Engine emergency mode may be activated during driving | Built Sep 2009 – Nov 2011 | |
| R/2013/071 | Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly | Built May 1999 – Aug 2006 | |
| R/2013/080 | Loss of drive | Built Feb 2013 – Jun 2013 | |
| R/2013/024 | Engine may cut out | DVSA gives no build dates | |
| R/2012/149 | Rear window may detach | DVSA gives no build dates | |
| R/2012/081 | Eps may not perform as specified | Built Feb 2007 – Dec 2011 | |
| R/2009/065 | Front side airbag or seat belt tensioner may not operate correctly | Built May 2008 – Jul 2008 | |
| R/2008/026 | Door pressure sensors may delay side airbag deployment following an impact. | Built Nov 2006 – Jan 2008 | |
| R/2006/199 | Steering lock may inadvertently engage | Built Nov 1995 – Nov 1996 | |
| R/2006/207 | Possible loss of braking power assistance | Built Mar 2006 | |
| R/2005/022 | The bearings of the fuel injection pump may fail | Built Nov 2004 – Jan 2005 | |
| R/2002/025 | Possible detachment of ball bearing from front suspension strut top mounting | Built Nov 2001 | |
| R/2001/146 | Tyres may have cuts in side walls. | Built Sep 2001 – Oct 2001 | |
| R/2000/135 | Lower steering shaft may fail | Built Jan 1991 – Dec 1998 | |
| R/1999/104 | Brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker | Built Sep 1999 – Oct 1999 | |
| R/1999/047 | Possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch | Built Sep 1998 – Apr 1999 | |
| R/1997/005 | Corrosion on lower steering shaft | Built Feb 1991 – Dec 1994 | |
| R/1996/037 | Security of stub axle mountings | Built Jan 1996 | |
| R/1995/030 | Possible damage to wheel bearings | Built Feb 1995 – Mar 1995 | |
| R/1992/013 | Possible chafing of the battery cable | Built Jan 1991 – Feb 1992 |
DVSA files recalls for similar model names separately, and they are not counted above: 3 Series Gran Tourismo.
How to check whether a particular BMW 3 Series is affected
- Check the registration on GOV.UK’s free service, which answers for one vehicle. Check a vehicle recall on GOV.UK.
- Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done, such as an invoice or a confirmation from the manufacturer’s dealer.
- Use Autoza’s free registration check to see DVSA’s recall status beside the MOT history. “Unknown” is not the same as “no recalls”. Free registration check.
What a recall means
A recall is a repair a manufacturer offers for a fault found in a group of vehicles, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts. It stays with the vehicle, so on a used car what matters is whether the work has been done. This list says what DVSA has published for the model, not whether a particular car is affected. More about recalls.
Used BMW 3 Series for sale on Autoza
Ask the seller about any recall work before you buy, and check the registration on GOV.UK.
Where this list comes from
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls file, downloaded 23 September 2026. Recalls DVSA has published since that date are not shown. DVSA’s check vehicle recalls service.
Autoza matched DVSA’s model names to this model. Where DVSA files a recall under a longer name, the table says so.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence.