First introduced in 1975, the 3 Series is one of BMW’s most popular models. The current generation, the G20 model unveiled in 2018, continues with the same recipe: comfort, driving performance and rear-wheel drive. 

However, with cars becoming more and more complex, is the 3 Series as reliable as we’ve come to expect from BMW? We’ll take a look at some common problems, recalls and discuss if the 3 Series is a good buy in 2025.

Key takeaways

• Is the BMW 3 Series Reliable?
• BMW 3 Series Recalls
• Common Non-Recall Reliability Issues
• Is the BMW 3 Series Worth Buying?

Is the BMW 3 Series Reliable?

The petrol and PHEV versions of the latest 3 Series ranked 2nd in the executive class with a 97.5% reliability score in the 2024 WhatCar? survey, while diesels achieved around 96%. BMW as a brand scored 8th out of 31, which is pretty good!

According to the same WhatCar? survey, the most commonly repaired fault related to the engine or electrics, but BMW paid for 96% of the repairs needed, and fixed nearly 70% of faults in less than a week.

BMW 3 Series Recalls

There have been a few recalls on the 3 Series since its launch in 2019; thankfully, any recall work is to be completed by the manufacturer, free of charge. Check to see if your car, or one you're looking at buying, has any outstanding recalls here.

Crankcase Bearing Bushing (2019)

On certain vehicles built between 11 March and 9 July 2019, a bearing bushing was not properly installed into the engine's crankcase, whilst only a small part, it requires the engine to be removed and potentially replaced - it’s a good job, recall work is paid for by the manufacturer! 

Even though only 53 cars were affected, it's still worth double-checking any potential car, as the fault can lead to engine failure, which will be extremely inconvenient even if the repair cost is covered!

Battery Pack Short‑Circuit Risk (2020)

Certain 3 Series models (made from March–September 2020) had battery pack debris left from welding that could cause short circuits. Affected units may need battery replacement.

Symptoms of this fault could be quite severe, so it’s important to get your car checked. 

EGR Cooler Leak

On certain cars made in 2018, the exhaust gas recirculation valve’s cooler system may develop a leak. The type of coolant used, mixed with sediment from the EGR system, can cause “ignitable” deposits. 

If your 3 Series was made in 2018, this one is definitely worth checking, as it affected nearly 64,000 cars.

Common Non-Recall Reliability Issues

Suspension Wear & Knocking

Suspension components rank among the most frequent repairs. Symptoms include uneven ride, steering pull, or audible knocking when braking. This could also be related to the poor condition of UK roads and the G80’s firm suspension.

Fixes include general suspension replacements, such as shocks, suspension arms and bushes.

Infotainment Glitches

Many UK owners report occasional iDrive bugs, Bluetooth dropouts, and touchscreen unresponsiveness, which is something we see across all makes and models of modern cars.

Typically, a software update is needed from the dealer, but these things can also be remedied by a system reboot.

Electrical Quirks

Electrical issues include warning lights without a clear cause, central locking or body control faults. A forum post advising people to check battery ground wires got a bit of attention, indicating there are a few common electrical issues.

Is the BMW 3 Series Worth Buying?

Despite the few ‘common’ faults listed above, the 3 Series seems to be a very well put-together car. It also receives lots of praise for its driving characteristics, and achieved an impressive Euro NCAP score. 

Residual prices of most BMW models are also strong, which is usually a good indicator of a brand's overall reliability; it also helps with depreciation come trade-in time.

Overall, if you are happy with the slightly elevated repair costs associated with German marques, and the few niggles listed above don’t put you off, the 3 Series is a perfect executive saloon.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.