The Lemon Index2023 BMW 3 Series.
The 2023 BMW 3 Series has too few complaints to score: 15 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 26 to 29 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 15 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2023 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.
Recalls 3
- electrical 2026
Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models.
- electrical 2023
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.
- back over prevention 2022
After shifting into reverse, the rearview camera software may cause a portion of the rearview image to be obstructed.
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 64 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On these Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), the air conditioning cycles from cold to…
- Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care
- Customer states one of the front seats is inoperative
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 Hybrid Sedan 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| BMW 3 Series Hybrid Sedan 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| BMW 3 Series Sedan 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 3 Series Sedan 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2750–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2023 BMW 3 Series reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2023 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), lights (27%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 BMW 3 Series have?
3 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 2023 BMW 3 Series get?
26 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 BMW 3 Series safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2023 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $2750 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 BMW 3 Series have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2023?
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