BMW Active Hybrid 3 Problems by Year

We compared every BMW Active Hybrid 3 model year from 2013–2014 using 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2 recalls and federal defect investigations. No Active Hybrid 3 year stands out with an unusual number of complaints.

2model years
9complaints
2recalls
—worst years
—best years

Complaints by model year

2013201481
Owner complaints per model year, BMW Active Hybrid 3. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20141—2—Few
20138—1AirbagFew

* Complaints compared with the median Active Hybrid 3 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common BMW Active Hybrid 3 problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2013
    444%
  • Other / not specified
    333%
  • Seat beltsworst: 2013
    222%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2013
    222%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2013
    222%
  • Brakesworst: 2013
    111%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2013
    111%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2013
    111%

Latest BMW Active Hybrid 3 recalls

Exterior lighting

NHTSA recall 15V-520 · Aug 17, 2015 · 7,727 vehicles

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28,…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 15V-189 · Mar 31, 2015 · 18,054 vehicles

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the BMW Active Hybrid 3 should you avoid?

None of the BMW Active Hybrid 3 years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What are the most common BMW Active Hybrid 3 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (4), seat belts (2) and electrical system (2). Airbag complaints peak in the 2013 model year.

How many recalls has the BMW Active Hybrid 3 had?

2 recalls across 2013–2014. The model year with the most is 2014.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.