2023 BMW M3 Sedan recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2023 M3 SEDAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 23V118000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2023 BMW M3 Sedan owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
10/07/2026 · Engine · crash
While parallel parking in a parking structure; my car accelerated full throttle backing up hitting the back wall ; then I tried going forward to straighten the car up, it accelerated full throttle forward hitting the front wall. I had an doctors appt. there and decided to still straighten car and I said if it goes full throttle again I would immediat…
06/26/2025 · Transmission / drivetrain · crash
Car was parked and turned off in our driveway and it rolled backwards down the driveway and into the street