The multi-part crank hub is held in place only by the clamping force of the crankshaft bolt and the friction between the mating surfaces.
Applies to the engine S55B30.
vinkodex.BMW M3 F30 common faults.
2012–2018. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
Tianyu10 / CC BY-SA 3.0
What to watch for
What can go wrong on this car?
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
critical1
expensive3
The engine oil is cooled by an air-to-oil cooler, and it sits under the front spoiler, perpendicular to the ground.
Applies to the engine S55B30.
The connecting rod bearings wear from as little as 60,000 kilometres, which is early even for an engine of this output.
Applies to the engine S55B30.
Valvetronic adjusts the lift of the intake valves, and an eccentric shaft does that work.
Applies to the engine S55B30.
cheap repair1
The maker builds the charge pipe out of plastic, and the coupler at the throttle body is the critical point.
Applies to the engine S55B30.
Repair: 100–400 EUR
Official recall6 recallsShowThe manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
Most recent: 30 March 2023
A12/00868/23Safety recallInjuries30 March 2023 · EU Safety GateThe airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 30/03/2023
A12/01929/23Safety recallInjuries29 June 2021 · EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021
A12/00590/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateDefective hydraulic unit of the braking system may cause a limited braking support and increased braking distance. Moreover, in such cases the ABS system would not be available. This will lead to increased risk of an accident.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/00783/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/01223/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe accumulator in the driver/passenger head airbag inflator can leak, preventing the airbag to fully deploy if activated in an accident, impairing the protective effect of the airbag. Moreover, the accumulator can detach, entering the interior of the vehicle or becoming detached from the vehicle. This can lead to an increased risk of injury for passengers and/or other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
SR/00596/26Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
F30 · 2012–2018
Pick the version.
The fault list opens on the version page.
2 versions
EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody
Neighbouring generations
F30 · 2012–2018
F30/F31/F34 (2012-2019). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Common questions
About this generation
Which years does this page cover?
2012–2018. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
Does the fault apply to every car like this?
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
Is it free?
The fault list is.
Information, not an expert opinion
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.
- A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
- A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
- You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.