2002 Bmw E36 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:windshield (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Suspension:rear (1)
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (4)
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.
Equipment 2023-11-13 · B000706 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
when using the key reader to retrieve information from the customerãâ¢ãâãâs key, the data is not updated or current.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices 2021-06-01 · B630516 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
Exterior Lighting 2010-08-01 · SIB-63-02-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. *rm
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2009-12-01 · SIB-16-02-09 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. in some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit is
What owners report
2007-08-24 · Visibility:windshield“the windshield molding is susceptible to breaking up and the whole windshield has to be removed to reinstall the molding. pretty bizarre for such an expensive car. *tr…”
2007-06-28 · Vehicle Speed Control · 89,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw e36. while idling at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. the contact crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. the dealer did not inspect the vehicle. approximately eight months later, while driving in reverse and with the brake pedal depressed, the engine rpm's increa…”
2007-05-12 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · 58,000 mi“bmw 325xi 2002 bought used in mint condition with 60000 miles drivetrain vibration related to transfer case output bearing. bmw international said that was too bad, but not concernd at the failure. expected as that year had problems with transfer case bearings. *ak…”
2007-04-22 · Electrical System“i am leasing a 2002 bmw 745li . i have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. the car has gone to the bmw service center a total of 33 times for service mechanical & electrical problems. a few times car has broken down while driving and needed to be towed. this vehicle is a manufacturer defect. i feel very unsafe in this car. i have contacted …”
2007-04-17 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 100,955 mi“after 100,000+ miles of normal operation the 2002, bmw x5 4.4 began exhibiting unusual transmission operation. at random times, during start up, the transmission shifted to neutral, allowing the engine to rev very high, then engage in 1st, causing an abrupt lurch forward. also, it will experience this disengagement sometimes when down shiftin…”
2006-11-21 · Suspension:rear“i was hearing noises coming from the rear of the car took it into bmw, and they said the rear subframe was cracking. then they proceeded to tell me that there was nothing they could do! also the rear control arm bushing are bad which was caused by the rear or in reverse! *nm…”
2006-07-17 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly · 87,095 mi“the buckle assembly that the driver's side seat belt buckle is inserted into doesn't hold the buckle any longer. the driver's side seat belt is no longer usable. the part is to be replaced by the local bmw dealer (not under warranty), who will have the old part. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.