Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2023 BMW 3 Series: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 BMW 3 Series. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | AWD, RWD | 27–29 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylGas | AWD, RWD | 18–19 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylHybrid | AWD, RWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD, RWD | 300–310 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 BMW 3 Series, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Dashboard overheating triggers a warning that some or all safety equipment may not be working, with every sensor shown crossed out. In one report this happens daily, and the driver has to acknowledge the message each time. The other complaint concerns the 330e instrument cluster, which stays too dim to read in bright daylight. There is no manual brightness control, so the ambient light sensor sets the level. Only 2 complaints are on file.
Excerpts from complaints 3 Series owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The dash board becomes so hot that it is too hot to touch the dash board and when this happens all the safety equipment stops working and shows warning on dash that has to be acknowledged and close message. The warning says that some or all safety equipment may or may not be working properly and shows a picture of all sensors with an X through them. This happens on a daily basses
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 3 Series years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the fifth model year of the 3 Series's seventh generation (2019–2023).
It includes the 2022 update.
What changed for 2022
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
Risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Risk: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330e and 330e xDrive hybrid electric vehicles. After shifting into reverse, the rearview camera software may cause a portion of the rearview image to be obstructed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: An obstructed rearview image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-80-525-7417.
Cars shoppers compare with the BMW 3 Series, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
