2002 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 442 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 18 involved a crash and 31 involved a fire. 22 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
68 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325CI. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V318000 (Air Bags) and 13V172000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repairs were completed. The vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact's husband stated that while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed to power on, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster was not working when the vehicle was brought to the dealer. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was not informed if the repair was covered by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the issue was between the contact and the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Mar 3, 2024, fire
My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled with thick gray smoke which also came out of the trunk when they opened it. , the air bag was activated on the driver's side - the windshield was broken and the interior was a melted mess. The dashboard was melted on the driver’s side and the window was blackened. .the drivers side was where the damage had been from the accident. I do not think it coincidence. It seems i am not the only person whose bmw has spontaneously caught on fire. I did get bmw involved as far as sending documentation and talking to a rep. They of course were blameless. They did say they believe it was caused by an error made during a repair that allowed the rain water to get into the wiring. It had been raining hard for a couple days. But they could not say based on what i sent them if it was the body shop that did the most recent repair that made the error or it was done prior to that by another shop. But that they would not be investigating further. My much loved bmw been totaled and i will never what caused it.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jul 7, 2023, fire
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2020
AFTER READING MANY FORUM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MY VEHICLE PROBLEM IS THE GM5 MODULE. THIS MODULE CONTROLS A WIDE SELECTION OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTION ON THIS CAR. THE FUNCTION THAT IS AT ISSUE IS THE CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING FUNCTION INITIATED BY THE KEY, KEY FOB OR LOCKING CONTROL BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE. BY RESEARCHING ONLINE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE BMW E46 MODEL HAS HAD A LONG PERIOD THAT THIS MODULE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THIS FAULTY MODULE (GM-5) WILL LEAVE YOU LOCKED OUT OF YOUR CAR AND OR ONCE INSIDE NOT ALLOW ANY OTHER DOORS TO OPEN BY ANY MEANS. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU MAY BE THREATENING SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AS IT SPANS YEARS OF PRODUCTION. I AM JUST REPORTING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WE HAPPEN TO KEEP OUR CARS ALONG TIME AND THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE AND FRUSTRATING PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2020
HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY GM5 MODULE WHICH CONTROLS LOCKING/ UNLOCKING DOORS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS. GOT STRANDED TODAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT UNLOCK MY CAR. THE KEY FOB WOULDN'T UNLOCK IT AND EVEN USING THE KEY IN THE DOOR DIDNT WORK. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Electrical system, Jan 7, 2019, fire
THE SMELL OF ELECTIRCAL FIRE AND THICK BLACK SMOKE POORED OUT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY STEARING COLUM. FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT AND ENGUFFED MY BMW TO NOTHING!
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 24, 2018, fire
ON WEDNESDAY, SEOTEMBER 26 2018 - MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE SINCE FRIDAY, SEPT 21. IT HAD RAINED A GREAT DEAL THAT WEEKEND. AT 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND THE WINDOWS WERE BLACK FROM THE INSIDE. I HAD BEEN SMELLING A STRANGE ELECTIRCAL BRUNING SMELL ALL DAY. I DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.THEY ARRIVED AND INVESTIGATED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE DASH WAS STILL ON FIRE INSIDE. THE PILLAR AIRBAG HAD EXPLODED AND MELTED AND HAD SPEWED PLASTIC ON THE FRONT SEATS. THE UPPER DRIVER SIDE CORNER AREA OF THE WINDSHEILD WAS BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD CATAPLULTED INTO IT FROM BELOW. THE PILLAR BAG INFLATOR WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR AND WAS BURNT IN THE BOTTOM. THE DRIVER DOOR PANEL HAD DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE BLOWER MOTOR EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FOR THE THIRD TIME AFTER BEING REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PETER PAN BMW (1625 ADRIAN RD, BURLINGAME, CA 94010 650) 204-7600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT A FAULT IN THE WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 23, 2017
WHILE DRIVING OUR CAR THE DASH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL LOOSE ALL POWER. WE HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE WITH KEY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR THEN ALL LIGHTS ARE OFF AND CAR IS COMPLETELY DRIVABLE. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IS BEING DRIVEN. ALSO WITHIN THE SAME MONTH THE LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF OR BY THE POWER BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. AS WELL AS OUR 4 WAY INDICATOR WHICH IS ON SAME SWITCH AS THE POWER LOCK BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS.
Electrical system, May 15, 2017
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 OPENED THE DOOR. THE CAR HAD A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC/ELECTRONICS. WHATEVER WAS BURNING STOPPED AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLAME. I CHECKED ALL THE ELECTRICAL SWITCHES AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT SEEMED TO WORK FINE AND NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. THE BURNING SEEMED TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER AS THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF THE SEAT COVER HAVING SMOOTH MARKS ON THE SURFACE (INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL PEBBLE SURFACE) WHERE IT MIGHT HAVE MELTED. I'M NOT SURE IF THE SEATS ARE REAL LEATHER OR SIMULATED.
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2017
CAN NOT UNLOCK CAR IN ANY WAY. THE RELAYS IN THE GM5 MODULE WHICH GIVE POWER TO THE ACTUATORS BECOME WEAK AND CAN NOT OPEN CAR. CAR CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH CAR KEY AS KEY HOLE IS ALSO ELECTRONIC. IN THE END I CANT GET INSIDE THE CAR.
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2017
LOCKS OCCUPANTS IN CAR AND CANNOT ELECTRICALLY OR MECHANICALLY UNLOCK. MANY BMW OPERATORS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON INTERNET BUT NO RECALL EXISTS FOR DEALERSHIPS TO REPAIR/REPLACE. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING OR ANYTIME THE SYSTEM LOCKS THE DOORS TRAPPING OCCUPANTS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AT ANY SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MESSAGE BOARD DISPLAYED "EXTERIOR LIGHTING FOR THE REAR RIGHT SIDE". THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2016
FINAL STAGE UNIT (AKA BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR) KEEPS FAILING AND SHORTING OUT INTERNALLY CAUSING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS AND RELATED OBD2 WARNINGS AS WELL AS BATTERY DRAIN. I HAVE REPLACED THIS PART 5 TIMES AND 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2015
LOOK AT THIS - ANOTHER BMW RECALL IS IN ORDER MY BATTERY KEEPS GETTING FLOODED WITH WATER AND THEN THE CAR WON'T START UNDER SNOW THE ICE MELTS AND SOMEHOW GETTING INTO THE COMPARTMENT WITH THE BATTERY IN THE BOOT NOTHING ELSE IN THE BOOT IS WET - NOT EVEN ON THE PLASTIC PLATE THAT COVERS THE BATTERY BUT IT GETS INTO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND THERE IS NO DRAIN FOR THE WATER TO GO SO MY CAR FAILS TO START MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE WEBSITE IS THIS ALSO CHECK ON BIMMERFEST - TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COMPLAINING TO BMW WHICH WON'T DO THE RECALL YOU NEED TO FORCE THEM TO DO THE RECALL HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=949111 THEY SHOULD BE FIXING THE LEAK WHEN THEY DO THE LAMP RECALLS WHICH IS ALSO PROBABLY CAUSING FAILURE TO START ISSUES NEXT ISSUE IS THE WINDOW REGULATORS - GOOGLE THAT ISSUE YOU WILL SEE THE INTERNET IS FLOODED WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING THEY CAN'T GET THEIR WINDOWS TO ROLL UP ON THIS CAR I HAVE VERY LITTLE MILEAGE FOR A 2002 - UNDER 50K AND YET I AM ALREADY REPLACING MY THIRD WINDOW REGULATOR - THAT IS THE REGULATOR ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS WENT AND ONE OF THE BACK WINDOWS NOW WENT - $200-400 REPAIR JOB BIG PROBLEMS WITH BMW AND I CALLED THEM AND COMPLAINED AND THEY WON'T REIMBURSE UNLESS THERE'S A RECALL WHICH THEY SAID THEY'VE NO INTENTION OF DOING TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THESE ISSUES FOR IT NOT TO BE A BMW RECALL - THEY WON'T PASS YOUR CAR FOR INSPECTION WITH THE WINDOW DOWN OBVIOUSLY ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 2, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND EVIDENCE OF A FIRE WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND BURN MARKS WERE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED AND THE CEILING PANEL WAS BURNED AND HANGING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 29, 2014
ABS, BRAKE LIGHTS WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ON. POSSIBLE DSC INOP. POTENTIAL CRASH ISSUE. ORIGINAL OWNER WITH APPROX. $13,000 IN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECEIPTS. 95K MILES ON CAR. NO NOTIFICATION/RECALL FROM BMW. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Oct 6, 2014
AFTER COMPLETING A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES COMING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND BRINGING VEHICLE TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EGRESS OUT OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ISSUE, PASSENGER DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED. DOOR REMAINED LOCKED WITH SEEMINGLY NO MECHANICAL LINK TO DOOR LATCH. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE, ALSO UNABLE TO DO SO. PASSENGER HAD TO EGRESS VEHICLE THROUGH DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN DESPITE REPEATED USE OF UNLOCK BUTTON ON CENTER CONSOLE AND UNLOCK FEATURE ON KEYLESS ENTRY. AUTOMATIC LOCKING ON DRIVE OFF LOCKED DOORS, OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN DOOR BY ANY MEANS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2014
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 HANDLES. IN A NON STRESSFUL SITUATION, GOT OUT BY ROLLING DOWN WINDOW AND INSERTING KEY IN DRIVER DOOR TO UNLOCK. FOR PANIC SITUATIONS BOUGHT A WINDOW SHATTER TOOL TO BREAK WINDOWS TO GET OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 7, 2014
NONE OF THE PASSENGER LOCKS OPEN, AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. NO ONE CAN GET OUT. *JS
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 4, 2014
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 OVER AND TURNED OFF. RESTARTED, NOW "SERVICE ENGINE, EML, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS" WERE ON. TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, SAME LIGHTING SITUATION, VERY ROUGH IDLE AND CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE, AS IT WAS STRUGGLING FOR FUEL. UNPLUGGED THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR": CAR STARTED, DISPLAYED NO WARNING LIGHTS, DROVE FINE ABOUT 8 MILES TO REPAIR SHOP. CODE READ SHOWS, "THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR", REPLACED..SAME PROBLEM WITHIN MINUTES OF DRIVING. A LITTLE INTERNET RESEARCH ON E46 FINDS THIS AN ALL TO COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 23, 2014
BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED GOOD WITH VARIOUS SERVICE PROVIDERS YET VEHICLE HAD A PERSISTENT BATTERY DRAIN WITCH WOULD ONLY APPEAR AFTER CAR WAS ON THE ROAD AND DRIVING. AFTER CAR STOPPED RUNNING DUE TO LOW BATTERY IT THEN WOULD NOT RESTART. NO WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON UNTIL JUST A MINUTE OR TWO PRIOR TO ENGINE QUITTING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MONROVIA BMW IN MONROVIA CA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALTERNATOR WAS FAULTY. INSTALLED NEW (NOT REBUILT) SPECIFIED ALTERNATOR AND NEW BATTERY AND 5 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK. FURTHER OWN PERSONAL INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW AND I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT FROM BMW TECH'S AT TIME OF INSPECTION AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A SYSTEM PROBLEM WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL "BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR" OF "FINAL STAGE UNIT" (FSU) AND ITS INTERNAL RESISTOR FAILS. THIS PART HAS HUNDREDS OF WRITE UPS ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS AND HAS GONE BACK MANY YEARS. WHEN THE PART FAILS IT LEADS TO A WHOLE VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AFFECTED VEHICLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FULL ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND LEAD TO A CRASH. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE COILS AND THESE ARE ALSO PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT COULD BE BEING IMPACTED BY THIS FSU / RESISTOR PROBLEM. FIRE AND OR OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 29, 2013
THE BATTERY OF THE CAR DRAINS OUT EVERY MORNING AND I NEED TO JUMP START MY CAR EVERYDAY IN THE MORNING. I HAVE GOT THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE CHARGING CIRCUIT CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO FAULTS WITH THOSE. THE BATTERY IS ONLY AN YEAR OLD. I SUSPECT THAT SOMETHING IS RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND AFTER ENGINE STOP OR THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH IS DRAINING OUT THE BATTERY. *TR