repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2002 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 2002 BMW M3, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-047 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 BMW M3 has problems
40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Engine and engine cooling
8Power train2 crash/fire/injury
7Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
4Suspension
4Structure
2Visibility
1Exterior lighting
1Equipment
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 0 |
| Power train | 8 | 2 |
| Air bags | 7 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2002 BMW M3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator…
repaired · 2018 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other M3 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 M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 BMW M3, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONNo recall
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONLed to recall 11V-438
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE EXHAUST CAM HUB TABS BREAK OFF ON THE 2000-2008 BMW M3 MODELS. IF CAUGHT WHEN ONLY ONE TAB BREAKS IT CAN BE REPLACED. IF BOTH TABS BREAK COMPLETELY OFF THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. BMW NA WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *JS
I HAVE A BMW M3 WHICH HAS AN SMG TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOSES POWER TO CHANGE THE GEARS AND MY CAR STARTED TO JERK WHILE ON THE ROAD NEARLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SMG PUMPS FOR BMW M3 HAVE ALWAYS A HIGH FAILURE DESIGN FLAW. THE COST TO FIX…
I OWN A 2002 BMW M3. THERE ARE SIX CAMSHAFT BOLTS BEHIND A PLATE COVER. BMW SPECED BOLTS THAT WERE TOO SOFT UNTIL 2004 WHEN THEY CHANGED BOLT SPEC TO A HARDENED STEEL WITH LOCTITE. PRIOR TO THIS THE BOLTS HAD NO LOCTITE. THE ISSUE IS STARTING TO SURFACE ALL OVER THE WEB. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE…
Own a 2002 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.