Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2023 BMW M3: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2023 BMW M3, most recently filed February 2023. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2023 BMW M3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2023 BMW M3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V118000 Filed Feb 23, 2023

Unlocked Door May Open During Crash

Electrical system · body control module · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
97.5% repairedof 120 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V118000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 BMW M3, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2023 compares with other M3 years

Best and worst M3 years →
6 13 4 5 3 9 3 1 1 2
2012201320152016201720182021202220232025
This year (2023)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined

19
mpg combined
16
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,350
CO₂ tailpipe
472 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year

Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2023 BMW M3 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19$4,350472

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2023 M3 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All M3 years

Where to next

2023 BMW M3 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2023 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 23V118000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2023 BMW M3 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2023 BMW M3 get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 16 city, 23 highway and 19 combined mpg.

How does the 2023 M3 compare with other years?

Among the 2012–2021 BMW M3 model years at least five years old, the 2017 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2013 the most (13). The 2023 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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