KnownCarProblems2002 BMW M3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW M3, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles). It is 4th of 20 M3 model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory5 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2002 BMW M3 problems
Engine
13 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Multiple problems with the vehicel. The engine was replaced at 16000, the transmission (smg) was re[;aced at 20000, now the engine rev high at idel and send stron vibration to the cabin and steering column. BMW of houston north, a local dealer in houston, tx, were less than helpful in trying to solve the current…
BMW has had a rash of engine failures on their new e46 M3's. These failures usually (im my case and many others) has resulted in the engine actually blowing up. This is probably one of the most dangerous failures that could happen. Oil dumps all over the road, things lock up and you could easily lose control.…
Transmission
8 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Multiple problems with the vehicel. The engine was replaced at 16000, the transmission (smg) was re[;aced at 20000, now the engine rev high at idel and send stron vibration to the cabin and steering column. BMW of houston north, a local dealer in houston, tx, were less than helpful in trying to solve the current…
Multiple incidents since the day after we purchased the car: ?driving in 4th gear (anywhere from 10 to 40 mins of driving) will suddenly feel as if clutch is engaged so I cannot accelerate, yellow transmission warning light comes on, then I have to coast to a complete stop and shut the engine off. It can take several…
Air bags
7 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 107,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
BMW sent me a recall notice to replace the takata passenger side air bag. I contacted my dealer in late october. The dealer has not responded and BMW USA says it does not know when parts may be available. The car was purchased in miami, fl new from a BMW dealer and was located in the florida keys for approximately 3…
In november, 2020, I received a notification from BMW that the previous fix to my airbag was only a temporary fix, and I needed to bring my car in for a permanent fix. In january, 2021, the airbag light went on. I am getting ready to start driving my cars on a regular basis again, so I took the car in this week for…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I took my car into the BMW dealer for a inspection, they found the subframe/trunk floor was cracking and would not be able to put my car on a vehicle lift for further inspection and advised me it may not be safe to drive. Looking into this online this seems to be a common saftey problem with these cars.
Upon inspection, vehicle's rear subframe mounting points show cracking and other signs of structural fatigue consistent with other similar vehicles that have undergone complete rear subframe failure. Vehicle's subframe needs to be reinforced and BMW settled in a class action suit regarding the issue, however, the…
Suspension
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: rear.
Inspection at dealer, BMW of peabody, 221 andover street, peabody ma 01960, found both rear springs broken. I was told that this is quite normal for BMW 3 series. I believe that broken rear springs could contribute to loss of control and possible injury to persons.
I took my car into the BMW dealer for a inspection, they found the subframe/trunk floor was cracking and would not be able to put my car on a vehicle lift for further inspection and advised me it may not be safe to drive. Looking into this online this seems to be a common saftey problem with these cars.
Electrical
4 complaints · 10%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 BMW M3 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began february 13, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323it, 325it, 325xit, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323ci, 325ci, 328ci, 330ci, m3 coupe, 323cic, 325cic, 330cic, and m3 convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal takata psan inflators and pspi passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in september 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on december 1, 2014. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and sports wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and sport wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and sports wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 m3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 15, 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2000-2002 bmw 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323ci, 325ci, 330ci, m3, 323it, 325it and 325xit vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, m5, 525it and 540it vehicles, and 2001-2003 x5 3.0i, x5 4.4i, and x5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began aug 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: on december 17, 2015 bmw removed the model year 2004 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activit
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi sedans, and 325xi and 325i sportswagons, 2002-2006 330ci, 325ci, and m3 convertibles and 325i, 330i, and m3 coupes, 2002-2003 m5, 540i, 525i sedan, and 530i sedans, and 540i and 525i sportswagons, and 2003 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Bmw intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in june 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for july, bmw will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325ci and 330ci coupes and convertibles; 325it and 325xit sports wagons; and m3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and a
Questions about the 2002 BMW M3
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW M3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (13 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); transmission (8 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles); air bags (7 complaints, typically around 107,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 BMW M3 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the BMW M3?
- It is 4th of 20 M3 model years by number of complaints, with 40 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.