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: exterior lighting
76 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, May 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE TAIL LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BROWN WIRE CONNECTED TO THE TAIL LIGHT HAD MELTED. THE DEALER (BMW OF FAIRFAX, 8427 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA 22031) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 242,266.
Exterior lighting, Nov 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LIGHT PANEL AND PLUG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
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.
Exterior lighting, May 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,722.
Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2016
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB ON ZKW LABELED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED REFLECTOR BADLY. REMOVED HEADLIGHT BULB DUE TO CHANCE OF CATCHING FIRE. HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND UNABLE TO MOUNT HEADLIGHT BULB. ISSUE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHERE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT STARTED LOOSING BRIGHTNESS AND SHINING TOWARDS RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. PULLED OVER AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. HOUSING IS BLACK FROM BURNING.
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR LIGHTS WOULD NOT OPERATE. AFTER REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. WHILE CHANGING THE LIGHT BULBS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS BURNED AND CHARRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, May 21, 2015
I WAS MADE AWARE OF A TWO OPEN SAFETY RECALLS FOR MY CAR. I AM TOLD THAT THE AFFECTED PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE ENSURED SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT THESE REPAIRS COULD ONLY BE DONE AT AN AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER. I CURRENTLY LIVE IN MISSOULA, MT AND THE NEAREST BMW CENTER IS 3 HOURS AWAY IN SPOKANE, WA. OBVIOUSLY, I CANNOT DRIVE 3 HOURS EACH WAY AND WAIT HOWEVER MANY HOURS OR DAYS THE REPAIRS TAKE TO HAVE THEM DONE AT THE BMW CENTER I AM TOLD HAS TO DO THEM. THE BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT IS NOT WILLING TO OFFER ANY HELP IN FIXING THIS SITUATION AND GETTING THESE RECALL REPAIRS DONE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 5, 2015
UNDER RECALL 11V438000 , BMW FOUND THE DEFECTIVE REAR LIGHTS. THEIR REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE A SINGLE GROUND WIRE WITH A LARGER GAUGE WIRE. THIS IS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE AND NOT A CORRECTIVE MEASURE. THE ULTIMATE CAUSATION OF THE LIGHT ISSUE IS THE TRUNK DOOR PINCHING THE HARNESS LEADING TO THE LIGHT, WHICH CAUSE THE WIRES INSIDE THE HARNESS TO BREAK. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY THE MECHANIC WHOM SAID WAS NOT COVERED BY THIS CAMPAIGN. HE SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAD TO ULTIMATELY PAY OUT OF POCKET AND FIX THIS MYSELF. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2013
I BOUGHT MY 2002 BMW 325I FROM SAN FRANCISCO BMW IN 2003, SO FAR I HAVE RECEIVED ONLY ONE NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE REAR LIGHT. I WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR A YEAR, DURING THAT PERIOD THEY DISCOVERED A FAULTY IDLE AIR VALVE AND THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT TRYING TO SAVE MONEY UNDER WARRANTY. I COMPLAINED MANY TIMES TO THEM ABOUT THE STALLING OF MY CAR ON THE STREETS, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I E-MAILED TO THE MANAGER WHO IGNORED MY COMPLAINT. FEARFUL FOR MY LIFE AND SAFETY I DARE NOT DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. I CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE AIRBAGS, THEY SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY CAR, I ASKED THEM TO SEND ME E-MAIL TO CONFIRM, THEY NEVER DID. THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK. THEIR BUSINESS LICENSE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2013
AFTER THE RECALL, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA09019 , I BROUGHT IN MY CAR AND THEY ADDED A GROUND WIRE THAT WAS TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH AN INTERMITTENT LIGHTS-OUT WARNING AT THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE ISSUE WAS STILL THERE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO BMW AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ALREADY ADDED THE GROUND CABLE AND THAT'S ALL THEY COULD DO. THE SAME ISSUE STILL EXISTS. UPON READING FURTHER REGARDING THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS THE WIRING HARNESSES HAD "MELTED" DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATED BY A FAULTY GROUND CABLE. THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE AND BMW REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUES CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY DESIGN. THEY QUOTED ME OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HARNESS AND CHARGED ME 1 HOUR OF LABOR @$195/HR TO FIND THAT OUT. THE FAULTY GROUND CABLE CREATED THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATING ISSUES WITH THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE REAR OF THE CAR LIGHTS. BMW SHOULD PAY NOT JUST TO PREVENT ISSUES BUT TO PAY FOR ISSUES ALREADY CREATED BY THIS FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 15, 2013
NOTICED THAT LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL IS OUT AT TIMES. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET ARE BURNT. FAULT 36 (TURN INDICATOR, FRONT LEFT, FAULTY) IS SET IN FAULT MEMORY. CHECKED LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET ARE BURNT. REPLACED FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HAD BECOME VERY DIM. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT LOOKED AT THE LIGHT AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE WIRES THAT HAD BECOME MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2012
THE REPORT IS IN RESPONSE TO NOT BEING INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SOME VEHICLES SEEM TO BE EXCLUDED FOR NO REASON FROM THE RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY WIRING. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 11V438000. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2012
RIGHT REAR TURN-SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY--SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR FROM BEHIND WHEN I WAS CHANGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2012
BMW NORTH AMERICA SENT OUT A RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2011 FOR THE REAR LIGHTS ON THEIR 3 SERIES CARS. THEY ADVISED CONSUMERS THAT THEY SHOULD GO TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERS FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ALREADY COMPLETED AND PAID FOR. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW UNTIL I WROTE TO THEIR NEW CEO FOR NORTH AMERICA, MR.WILLISCH, ASKING WHAT I SHOULD DO TO GET THEM TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR RECALL. HE HAD HIS SECRETARY CALL ME AND ASK ME TO FAX THE RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO HER, WHICH I DID. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL I CALLED AGAIN. SHE THEN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID I SHOULD BE HEARING SOMETHING FROM BMW SOON. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM PRINCETON BMW FOR THE COST OF ONE REPAIR TO THE REAR LIGHTS. HOWEVER, I FAXED RECEIPTS FOR 2 REPAIRS TO THE RIGHT REAR LIGHTS AND 1 REPAIR TO THE LEFT REAR LIGHTS. TO DATE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW ABOUT REIMBURSING ME FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS.. HOW CAN YOU HELP ME GET REIMBURSED FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS TO MY 3 SERIES CAR? *TR UPDATED 10/1512
Exterior lighting, Aug 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT RESPONDED AND FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 30, 2012
THIS CAR IS 2002 BMW 330CI. I NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A TAIL LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULBS, HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG HAD SOME DAMAGE IN THE MIDDLE AND LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT HAD A CONNECTOR IN THE MIDDLE GONE. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE RECALL CENTER WHO STATED MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I NOTICED A LOT OF THE BMW MODELS WERE COVERED INCLUDING 330I AND THE 330XI. I ALSO WENT TO A BMW DEALER WHO AGAIN SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I DON'T WANT TO BE PULLED OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW. *TR UPDATED 8/7/12 *CN
Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2012
I FOUND THAT MY REVERSE LIGHT WAS OUT LATE IN JULY AND TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I'VE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE E46 MODEL AND I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF RECALL OR COMPENSATION FOR THE INADEQUACY OF THE REAR LIGHTS IN THIS MODEL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET AND WIRING MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS) BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LIGHT BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,751.
Exterior lighting, May 15, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED, BUT IT WAS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY THAT WAS BURNED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE HOUSING ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 DID NAME INCLUDE US SPECIFICATION BMWS MADE OUTSIDE THE US. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ALL REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL TO STOP WORKING. INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 18, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY INCLUDING THE HAZARD LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL NUMBERS: 11V438000 ( EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS), 11V438000 ( EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS), AND 11V438000 ( EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GROUND WIRE WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THAT HE SHOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE TO THE ASSEMBLY. IN ADDITION, THE GROUND WIRES MELTED THE CONNECTOR HOUSING AND THE CONNECTORS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS HAD FAILED.THE CONTACT THEN DISCONNECTED THE WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF $1,300. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.