Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2019 BMW 3 Series: common problems and reliability
· G20One of the best 3 Series years.
82 owner complaints, most about engine. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2019 3 Series?The 2019 BMW 3 Series has 82 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag removal of physical climate: favorites, and driving mode buttons on lci models, requiring extra screen taps.
Safety record for the 2019 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 BMW 3 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 3 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2019 a good year for the 3 Series?
Across the 31 3 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 10 (2022) to 1,920 (2011). With 82 complaints, the 2019 3 Series sits below the model's median of 279.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
What owners report on the G20 3 Series
Owner sentiment on the G20 3 Series is broadly positive, with the strongest praise going to the B48/B58 engines and the ZF 8-speed transmission, which owners repeatedly describe as solid and reliable.
- Very frequentRemoval of physical climate
Favorites, and driving mode buttons on LCI models, requiring extra screen taps.
- Very frequentLarge curved screen design and loss of the traditional shifter drawing criticism
- RecurrentBrake pad warning light appearing unusually early, around 17K-23K miles
- RecurrentFaulty or damaged brake pad sensor triggering false warnings
- RecurrentSteering feel described as numb and isolating compared to older generations
Owner insights for the G20 3 Series. Read the full G20 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 3 Series listings typically run $9,995–$26,395.
Other 3 Series model years
Compare every 3 Series year side by side to see how 2019 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 3 Series against its rivals
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