The Lemon Index2020 BMW 3 Series.
The 2020 BMW 3 Series is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 22 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 42, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 28 to 30 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 106 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 77K miles on the car (17 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 14
- electrical 2025
The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
- electrical 2024
Please see the recall report for the complete list of models.
- seat belts 2023
The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt.
Show all 14 recalls
- seats 2023
The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
- engine 2021
During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist.
- back over prevention 2021
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- steering 2020
In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
- seat belts 2020
The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
- seat belts 2019
The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners may not lock as intended during a crash.
- lights 2019
The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.
- body structure 2019
The interior trunk release cable may have been improperly installed, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
- engine 2019
The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
- back over prevention 2019
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- seats 2019
If the headrest folds down in a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 310 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ccm displayed "increased battery drain" caused by controller
- Comfort access & comfort go do not work sporadically in warm to hot temperature: at warm to…
- CCM DISPLAYED "INCREASED BATTERY DRAIN" CAUSED BY CONTROLLER: This Service Information…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| BMW 3 Series 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2650–2850 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Oil measurement fails at 20%, unable to tell how much oil is in engine, can lead to severe engine damage where the engine seizes and you loose power brakes and steering. Dealer says only fix is oil pump replacement.
2020 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 11521806
More owner reports
Unable to read oil level, high or unusually alarming oil pressure. High oil pressure codes
NHTSA complaint 11518176
Oil level wouldn't read over 20 percent... the deals know it's an issue and it is related to the Oil pump
NHTSA complaint 11519147
Quick answers
Is the 2020 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2020 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (36%), tires (14%) and fuel or ev drive system (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW 3 Series have?
14 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 BMW 3 Series get?
28 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2020 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2020 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $2650 to $2850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 BMW 3 Series have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works