BMW 3-Series vs. Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Comparisons
You won't find BMW 3-Series or Volkswagen Jetta reliability information like this anywhere else. Actual repair frequencies, not just vague dots, to make it clear how much the BMW 3-Series and the Volkswagen Jetta truly differ in reliability. These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to much more closely track BMW 3-Series and Volkswagen Jetta reliability as the cars age. Others tell you how reliable the BMW 3-Series and the Volkswagen Jetta were a year ago, when the cars were a year younger and had 12,000 fewer miles on them. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the BMW 3-Series and the Volkswagen Jetta have been recently.
See BMW 3-Series vs. Volkswagen Jetta price comparisonSee what people are saying about BMW 3-Series reliability
More about the
BMW 3-Series
More about the
Volkswagen Jetta
Take the TrueDelta survey on your car and get free access to all of the data on this page. Click here to get started!
BMW 3-Series Reliability through December 31, 2012
An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
What People Are Saying about Reliability and the BMW 3-Series
blog comments powered by DisqusWhat Our Members Are Saying about BMW 3-Series Reliability and Durability
| Reliability and Durability of the BMW 3-Series: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
I traded in a 2005 BMW with 92,000 miles on it, if the realiability of the old one is any indication to the experience I hope to have with the 2012, then I have little to nothing to worry about. |
| 2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Have owned this car for 5 years; have had two replacement high pressure fuel pumps; replaced steering rack; new turbo gaskets (both turbos); replaced articulating hard top cables - all in the first 3 years and all under warranty! Nothing has gone wrong in the past two years so perhaps this was relatively new model growing pains. |
| 2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Have owned this car for 5 years; have had two replacement high pressure fuel pumps; replaced steering rack; new turbo gaskets (both turbos); replaced articulating hard top cables - all in the first 3 years and all under warranty! Nothing has gone wrong in the past two years so perhaps this was relatively new model growing pains. |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD |
Not yet tested to a full extent on my M3 under review, bust as previous BMW owner I enjoyed minimal component failures after many years of ownership. |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
The car has a BETTER THAN AVERAGE frequency of repair record with Consumer Reports. |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Historically, reliable |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
History is promising. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
No problems after 3 years |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
This vehicle has a great performance record. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Been superb to date |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The car is now one year old with 12,000 miles and there have been no issues what so ever - whether mechanical or interior/exterior. Never any issue with things working as they should. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tried & true technology |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
this is my 5th 325i and the last forever/ |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
No issues except the battery, but in the extreme Arizona heat, it is to be expected. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
After the warranty is over, beware !! |
| 2005 | 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
60K all-inclusive warranty. 100k extended CPO warranty. |
| 2005 | 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The car has over 50K and drives as if it were still new. No major issues have been experienced with this vehicle. It feels just as solid the day it left the showroom. The engine and trans |
| 2004 | 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD |
Rock solid. Just keeps on going |
| 2004 | 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Have had no major issues, owned from new. Only a couple of radio problems, repaired under warranty. |
| 2003 | 4dr Wagon 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD |
Car has had outstanding realiability considering its use daily in a four season climate. Parts are easly to get and inexpensive if you shop wisely. Many DYI resources on the net for regular service needs, and thus far most projects have been straightforward and easy. |
| 2002 | 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD |
Its been rock solid so far |
| 2002 | 2dr Coupe 333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
I have put 20,000 miles on my car without a single component failure. There are no rattles and the car drives like the day I drove it off the BMW dealer lot. |
| 2002 | 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Oil change every 15,000 miles. Reliability is top notch. |
| Reliability and Durability of the BMW 3-Series: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I'm a little nervous about repair costs and frequency. I keep reading about 4-figure repair bills, but there are others who say they've done well with just normal maintenance. Consumer Reports gives the 2010 328i a lot of red dots which is a goo |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
More prone to breakdowns than the Japanese competition. |
| 2009 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Fuel pump, oil cooler, and run flat tire issues on the 335i turned me off. Will likely be covered by warranty, but met multiple people who had week long+ repairs for these issues. After warranty, 1,200+ for each of these issues is apparently common. |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Always a glitch or two. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Average is not good enough for a $40K+ car. |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Does not require explanation. |
| 2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Possibly expensive repair track record when 4-year warranty end |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Poorer reputation than Lexus based on internet research. Stock run flat tires have short life and rough ride. Lack of spare limits options |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
not as reliable |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Historically, these cars have had their share of electronic gremlins. |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
I have never had major problems with my BMW's, but I have never kept them out of warranty either. M cars are ridiculously expensive to repair. The only car company where the coolant is designed to outlast the radiator. When they break, they brea |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
The N54 engine is notorious for bad High Pressure Fuel Pumps, and BMW is known for having lots of annoying electrical niggles. |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
High pressure fuel pumps are known to fail on these cars. Injectors and wastegates are also known to have problems. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Had to take it to the shop twice already after the engine went into "limp home mode" on long business trips. Diagnoses from my dealer have been vague at best. |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Have heard that some owners have problems with degradation of interior surfaces (chipping etc). I had an engine heat sensor fail within weeks of getting the car. Fixed easily enough, and no sequelae so far. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Horror stories abound, fine while in warranty. Out of warranty SOL. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
mirror glass blew up on its own, accessory belt ripped due to bad tensioner or steering pump pulley |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
awd problems |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
I fear that it will leave me stranded even though I love driving it and have had no trouble except one day the battery was completely dead when I was ready to leave work for no known reason. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
BMW has a bad reputation has being unreliable post warranty period. For the price we pay, the engine and drivetrain should be bulletproof for at least 150k miles. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Some interior rattles. Software and differential faults. Expensive service. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Little electronic things tend to go wrong. Nothing serious with transmissions or engines but just annoying little things. |
| 2005 | 4dr Sedan 235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Mechanically reliable, but various trim pieces and accessories could use some work. Window regulators fail and sunroof shades jam with disconcerting regularity. 2005 has been much better in this regard than 2000. |
| 2004 | 4dr Sedan 235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
During the four years of ownership, the window regulators broke multiple times, causing the windows to "come off their tracks" and on one occasion fall into the door. Additionally, ignition coil failures at 20,000 miles were very disturbing. |
| 2004 | 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual AWD |
what BMW considers wear items, that is, bushings, cooling system parts, should have a much longer life than they do, I bought this car used @4 years old, replaced to date: entire cooling system, rear bushings, rear springs, alternator, sunroof tracks, |
| 2004 | 4dr Wagon 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I have had to have the car repaired three times in one year of ownership. |
| 2004 | 2dr Coupe 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD |
Pay more to maintain than a Toyota/Honda. |
What Our Members Are Saying about Volkswagen Jetta Reliability and Durability
None of our members have yet commented on the reliability and durability of the Volkswagen Jetta.
