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2013 BMW M3 airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2013 BMW M3 have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the BMW M3, by model year
Model yearairbags complaints
2009 M3 8
2010 M3 8
2011 M3 9
2012 M3 4
2013 M3 (this page) 6
2crashes
2injuries

When does it fail?

Of the 6 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 BMW M3, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.

0-25k
2 (66.7%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (33.3%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin B013118 Apr 2019

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B013118 Apr 2019

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B011618 Jan 2019

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B011618 Oct 2018

For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 651013 Mar 2013

"Enabling and Replacing New OC3 Seat Mat. The replacement OC3 seat mat (front passenger seat occupancy) will not enable when following ISTA Repair Instruction REP 65 77 604, ""Replacing sensor mat (OC3 mat) for passenger seat occupancy detector."" When the new mat is installed in the vehicle, too much pre-load pressure will prevent the mat from being enabled. ISTA/P WILL NOT enable the new part, and will cause permanent damage to it."

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 6 most recent

airbags · 18,000 mi · filed 12/14/2018

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 BMW m3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). While driving 40 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact's left arm was struck by the air bags and was injured by metal fragments. Medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The dealer (motorwerks BMW, 1300…

airbags · filed 10/03/2017

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW m3. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) was received in february of 2016. After contacting the dealer (jacky cooper in edmond, ok) and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could…

airbags · 88,838 mi · filed 09/23/2024

The contact filed the complaint on behalf of her son who owned a 2013 BMW M3. The contact stated the vehicle was parked in a school parking lot, and the contact's son was sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle when the vehicle was crashed into violently by four vehicles. The vehicle was damaged in the front end, passenger's side, and rear. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence.…

airbags · filed 09/15/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

airbags · filed 08/29/2017

Takata recall. I've have been trying to get my airbag replaced for over a year. The last time I called the dealer, they told me my car wasn't part of the recall. My VIN shows on the recall list and I received notice from bmv to contact them. Keeler motor car in latham ny is the dealer.

airbags · 9,000 mi · filed 06/12/2016

Takata recall airbag BMW told me not to drive car to park it and they want to give me rental. Unknow how long for repair I lease car at $1245 per month way should I get a lesser car and continue my payments .I have 2 years left I want to trade it in for the same value on a m4 shouldnt they give me the same deal to get me out of my lease.. Florida has a higher risk becauseof the heat for the air…

Had airbags trouble with your 2013 BMW M3? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 BMW M3?

It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Based on the 6 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 38,613 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/BMW/M3. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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