2002 Bmw 3 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Exterior Lighting (3) · Electrical System (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 3 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-05-05 · B063026 · Other
starter return
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-10-01 · SIB-12-21-10 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: service engine soon light is on. the vehicle lost power and the engine cranks with no start. *rm updated 5/19/15. *pe
Air Bags:frontal 2014-06-01 · SIB-65-14-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not produced to specifications. model 2001-2006 e46 (3 series). *pe updated 9/4/14. *pe
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2012-12-01 · SIB-61-37-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: the high-voltage (hv) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle is prevented from entering sleep mode for an extended period of time. updated 03/11/2013 *js
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2012-12-01 · SIB270212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: dsc warning light is on. the warning lamps for dsc, abs and brake warning illuminated. there may also be a warning in the control display for chassis control system failure. *js
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-05-22 · Steering · 150,000 mi“the steering wheel resists turning back to the left after a right turn. the problem is getting worse. it is my daily driver and every week the resistance is harder to overcome. it is getting very concerning about the safety aspects of this problem.…”
2018-01-26 · Air Bags“2002 bmw 3 series. consumer writes in regards to airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired and requested information about any addtional recalls. *js…”
2017-11-24 · Wheels · 92,000 mi“michelin pilot sport a/s plus tires 275/30/19 on bmw m3 had blow out on freeway at normal speeds of 65 mph. could hear rubber whipping the road just prior to the abruptly bursting. had tires inspected and technician found excessive cracking near the tread and center wear-bar had pitting in the rubber (15,622 miles). car is seldom driven and always …”
2017-05-15 · Electrical System · 129,000 mi“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 a cloud of white smoke at the ceiling and i opene…”
2017-02-28 · Service Brakes · 130,000 mi“while driving in the rain, the mk60 abs/dsc unit failed leaving me without stability control and antilock brakes. very unsafe.…”
2016-09-17 · Air Bags · 97,320 mi“takata recall, i have a 6 month old baby, i just got this car and the airbag light was on at idle and won't go away. i know the first and only owner. i know that it's been on for a while now. i am extremely concerned for the safety of my son. this must be adressed..…”
2016-04-07 · Air Bags“"takata recall"-we are the second owners of a bmw 325i series, 2002 and have not received any information about a defective takata airbag recall.…”
2015-12-23 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 3 series. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed to perform the recall repair was unavailable. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribution disconnect. updated 02/23…”
2015-06-01 · Unknown Or Other · 90,000 mi“the car stalls when you accelerate from a stop and you are making a left or right hand turn. this has happened several times over the years and happens without warning. today it stalled in a parking lot but the last few times it has stalled in an intersection creating a potentially very dangerous situation. we have taken the car to the dealership s…”
2014-11-07 · Air Bags · 80,000 mi“the bmw dealership in san francisco keeps cancelling my appointments for my airbags to be replaced. i have been waiting since june. they cannot offer any assistance to helping me get my airbags replaced. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.