The 2019 BMW 3 Series is associated with 41 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 9 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Other / Uncategorized, accounting for 6 reports (15% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl and 3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 23 to 30 MPG combined. The 2019 model year represents a generational transition for the BMW 3 Series in the U.S., encompassing both the 6th Generation (F30) and 7th Generation (G20).
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 41 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Other / Uncategorized (6 / 15%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 5 fire / 2 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 23–30 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| 330i | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 26 MPG | 36 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| 330i xDrive | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,700 / yr |
| 330i xDrive Gran Turismo | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| 330i xDrive Sports Wagon | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| 340i xDrive Gran Turismo | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SW AWD | | | | | 9.5% |
| GT 5 HB AWD | | | | | 9.5% |
| 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2019 BMW 3 Series models.
View complete 2019 BMW 3 Series crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2019 BMW 3 Series problems & component breakdown (23 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
Defect Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS
Defect Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Affected Component: SEATS
Defect Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View all 2019 BMW 3 Series recalls & campaign history (9 campaigns) →