VehicleVerdict

1999 BMW M3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1999 BMW M3 carries two red flags at once: 13 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.2× the M3 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT). It is one of the M3 years to avoid.

13

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other M3 years?

M3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted102 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 16 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 28 complaints1998: 18 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 48 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 38 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 102 complaints2009: 54 complaints2010: 20 complaints2011: 41 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 17 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 7 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 10 complaints2021: 5 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 1 complaints2025: 2 complaints
M3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all M3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 BMW M3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags538%
Brakes215%
Tires & Wheels215%
Transmission18%
Steering18%
Engine18%
Body & Structure18%

Does the 1999 BMW M3 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

99V063001AirbagsNovember 15, 1999 · 16,749 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) COULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99018

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 CONTROL MODULE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE.THE RECALL WAS A RESULT OF AN ODI SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION. ODI RECEIVED 1 CONSUMER COMPLAINT OF A 1999 MODEL YEAR M3 ALLEGING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT SIDE IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE CAUSING ONE INJURY.THE COMPLAINANT'S M3 USES THE SAMECHASSIS AS THE 3-SERIES AND WAS BUILT IN MARCH 1999. THE PURPOSE OF THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE ADEQUACY OF THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL.CLOSING NOTE: BMW HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 99V-063.001.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DIAGNOSIS: PASSENGER AIR BAG ELECTRONICS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 PER DEALER. BMW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THEY DO NOT SHOW THIS WITH MY VIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 3, 2015

“SEPT 00 ABS DASH LIGHT ON, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, PARTS ORDERED, CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH LIGHT ON, REPAIRED OCT 00, ABS DASH LIGHT AGAIN ON, TOOK TO DEALER, TOLD THE ABS WAS REPAIRED-ABS LIGHT ON DUE TO GAS CAP, MAY 2001 CAR OUT OF CONTROL AS IF WHEELS LOCKED, NARROWLY MISSED GOING IN CANAL AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 17, 2001 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO DEFLATE DUE TO A PUNCTURE AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. NLM. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED DUE TO THE TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE WALL. TIRE SIZE 245/40ZR17, CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 13, 2002

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE OIL. THE OIL WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED AN OIL PAN NUT FELL OFF INTO THE OIL PAN CAUSING AN OIL PUMP FAILURE WHICH BURN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 23, 2006

“THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE AND POSES A DANGER WHEN MOVING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOUR FOOT CAN BECOME ENTANGLED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 1, 2002 · crash

1999 BMW M3 — common questions

Is the 1999 BMW M3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 13 complaints put the 1999 model at #14 of 35 M3 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the M3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 M3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (5 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 1999 BMW M3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 BMW M3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 BMW M3 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which BMW M3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the M3 years to avoid are 2008, 2003, 2009, 2002, 2011, 2004, 2010, 2013, 2006, 1999, 2005, 2012, 2007. The cleanest record among M3 years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.