2015 BMW M3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
25/100
#10 most-complained of 13 M3 years
The 2015 BMW M3 has a complaint index of 25 and ranks 10th out of 13 model years for reported problems, placing it among the better years for this model. NHTSA lists 4 complaints, 3 recalls, and no crashes, fires, or injuries tied to this year.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 25 hwy
Top 2015 BMW M3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System2 (50%)
- Engine1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
What owners report
- Owners report the crank hub spinning relative to the timing sprocket, letting valves strike pistons and causing catastrophic engine failure around 95,000 miles.
- Owners describe fuel tank top welds failing and leaking fuel, which they say raises fire risk and can trigger emissions faults.
- Multiple owners flagged the same fuel tank weld defect as a known failure point on this generation.
2015 BMW M3 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V288000Apr 24, 2024Airbags5,761 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 16V653000Sep 9, 2016Structure & Body196 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
Risk: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 15V782000Nov 23, 2015Transmission & Powertrain42 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
Risk: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2015 BMW M3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other M3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW M3 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 25 for the 2015 M3, ranking it 10th worst out of 13 model years, so it performs better than most other M3 years on reported problems.
- What are the main problems with the 2015 BMW M3?
- NHTSA complaints point to the fuel system as the top problem area, accounting for 50% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 25%, including a reported crank hub failure near 95,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 BMW M3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 M3 covering airbags, rear sub-frame bolts, and driveshaft inspection/replacement, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 M3 compare to other M3 years?
- The 2015 M3's complaint index of 25 is lower than 2010 (83), 2011 (100), 2013 (92), and 2018 (75), all rated Avoid, making 2015 a comparatively safer choice among M3 years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 BMW M3?
- The 2015 M3 is rated at 19.5 mpg combined (17 city / 25 highway) by the EPA, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100.