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2002 BMW 3 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 2002 BMW 3 Series, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

74
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years64% below the 3 Series median · #11 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints261 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage123kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 22, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 BMW 3 Series has problems

26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system60
Air bags61
Power train30
Electronic stability control (ESC)30
Exterior lighting30
Suspension30
Steering20
Wheels21
Engine10
8 other systems80

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2002 BMW 3 Series recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other 3 Series year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 3 Series median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 BMW 3 Series safety ratings

2002 BMW 3 Series Sedan w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 BMW 3 Series, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONDP09002 · closed Aug 6, 2009
    No recall
  2. INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMEEA02012 · closed Jun 24, 2003
    Led to recall 02V-223
  3. Rear Lamp IlluminationEA09019 · closed Sep 28, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-438
  4. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 14V-668
  5. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONPE09036 · closed Dec 22, 2009
    Led to recall 11V-438
  6. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 13V-172
In owners' words

What 3 Series owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR IN THE MORNING AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT. I HAD A HOCKEY BAG WITH APPROXIMATELY 25 LBS OF EQUIPMENT SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH I REMOVED FROM THE CAR AND CLOSED THE DOOR. I FORGOT SOMETHING AND WENT BACK TO THE CAR, ABOUT 40 SECONDS LATER, AND SAW…
Complaint 10985819 · May 15, 2017 · 129,000 miles
USING KEY FOB TO UNLOCK DOORS, SOMETIMES ONLY DRIVER DOOR UNLOCKS. SOMETIMES NO DOORS UNLOCK/LOCK. INTERIOR MASTER LOCK SWITCH SOMETIMES WORKS SOMETIMES DOES NOT. REPLACED SWITCH TWICE. BEEN IN CAR AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY DOORS TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE USING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS AND EVEN MANUAL IE. DOOR…
Complaint 10631344 · Sep 7, 2014 · 122,000 miles
THIS IS NOT AS MUCH A COMPLAINT AS A REQUEST FOR HELP. SINCE MARCH OF 2013 I HAVE REPLACED 5 THROTTLE BODIES AND 3 GAS PEDAL SENSORS, ALL OEM PARTS. THE PROBLEM THAT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY: DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED [55/60] THE EML, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ALL WENT ON. PULLED…
Complaint 10586396 · May 4, 2014 · 200,000 miles

Own a 2002 3 Series?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.