The Lemon IndexBMW 3 Series.
The best BMW 3 Series years are 2022, 2019, 2017. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2001. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 37, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2022.
Quick answers.
Is the BMW 3 Series a good car?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable models we track, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 37; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2022 and the worst is 2007.
What are the best BMW 3 Series years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2022, 2019, 2017.
What BMW 3 Series years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2007, 2008, 2001.
How many recalls does the BMW 3 Series have?
152 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2020 (14), 2014 (12), 2019 (9). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common BMW 3 Series problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, fuel system, gasoline and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 70 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 69 | airbags (39%) | 7 | — | 18–21 |
| 2001 | 127 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 139 | engine (38%) | 8 | — | 19–21 |
| 2002 | 66 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 78 | engine (22%) | 8 | — | 19–21 |
| 2003 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 72 | electrical (25%) | 8 | — | 19–21 |
| 2004 | 53 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 49 | transmission & drivetrain (41%) | 5 | — | 19–22 |
| 2005 | – | too few complaints to score | 19 | speed control (21%) | 5 | — | 19–22 |
| 2006 | 110 | about average | 92 | tires (34%) | 7 | — | 19–21 |
| 2007 | 150 | 1.5× the average car's complaints | 189 | fuel system, gasoline (53%) | 6 | — | 20–22 |
| 2008 | 144 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 163 | fuel system, gasoline (43%) | 5 | — | 20–22 |
| 2009 | 122 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 90 | fuel system, gasoline (39%) | 6 | — | 20–22 |
| 2010 | 32 | 3.1× fewer complaints than average | 36 | fuel system, gasoline (39%) | 6 | — | 20–22 |
| 2011 | 67 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 77 | engine (21%) | 8 | — | 20–22 |
| 2012 | 24 | 4.2× fewer complaints than average | 26 | engine (42%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 20–27 |
| 2013 | 68 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 99 | brakes (29%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 19–28 |
| 2014 | 53 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 82 | engine (23%) | 12 | ★★★★★ | 25–36 |
| 2015 | 25 | 4× fewer complaints than average | 35 | brakes (14%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 25–36 |
| 2016 | 35 | 2.9× fewer complaints than average | 41 | engine (24%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 26–35 |
| 2017 | 15 | 6.7× fewer complaints than average | 16 | engine (31%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–36 |
| 2018 | 26 | 3.8× fewer complaints than average | 22 | engine (23%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 25–36 |
| 2019 | 13 | 7.7× fewer complaints than average | 10 | engine (20%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 23–30 |
| 2020 | 42 | 2.4× fewer complaints than average | 22 | engine (36%) | 14 | — | 28–30 |
| 2021 | 17 | 5.9× fewer complaints than average | 12 | engine (33%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 25–30 |
| 2022 | 11 | 9.1× fewer complaints than average | 9 | tires (33%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–30 |
| 2023 | – | too few complaints to score | 15 | electrical (33%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2024 | – | too few complaints to score | 11 | engine (27%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2025 | – | too few complaints to score | 8 | brakes (25%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 29–31 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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