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, Dec 22, 2011
2002 BMW 325 XI. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR COST *TGW THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 11V438000. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, TOO MUCH CURRENT/ELECTRICITY WAS FLOWING THROUGH THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR PANEL. BECAUSE OF THE VOLTAGE FLUCTUATION PROBLEM, THE REAR WARNING LAMP LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY TRIGGERED. THE INVOICE STATED THE CONTACTS, CONNECTORS AND WIRING WERE BURNT, THE CONNECTORS NEEDED TO REWIRED, AND THE CARRIERS AND REPETITIVE GROUNDS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2011
LEFT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT, AND THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I FIXED IT WITH ELECTRICIAN'S TAPE. TODAY, WENT IN TO HAVE THE FIX PRESCRIBED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V-438000, WHICH EXACTLY ADDRESSED MY ISSUE. BMW'S RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER, 2011 INCLUDES "THE LAMPS WILL ALSO BE CHECKED FOR PROPER FUNCTIONALITY. IF THEY ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, THEN THEY WILL BE REPAIRED WHICH COULD INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMP'S 8-PIN CONNECTOR HOUSING, IF NECESSARY". THUS, BMW IS COGNIZANT OF THE INESCAPABLE NEXUS BETWEEN A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE CONNECTOR AND DAMAGE TO THE HOUSING. WELL, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, ONLY THE FIXING OF THE GROUND CONNECTION IS COVERED BY THE RECALL AND BMW WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPLACING THE RUINED HOUSING (AND WITH THE WARRANTY "FIX", MY LIGHTS WOULD NO LONGER WORK BECAUSE MY REPAIR HAD BEEN ELIMINATED, PRESUMABLY BY THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW CONNECTOR WHICH WOULD NO LONGER INTERFACE WITH THE DAMAGED HOUSING). WHILE AT THE DEALER, CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND ULTIMATELY SPOKE TO "BOBBY". SHE VERIFIED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE HAD GONE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AS APPROPRIATE, GOTTEN THE DENIAL, AND TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF RECOURSE WITH RESPECT TO BMW: BMW WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. HAVING GIVEN THEM THEIR SHOT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AM NOW TAKING THE NEXT STEP (NOTIFYING YOU). SINCE I COULDN'T DRIVE AROUND W/O PROPER FUNCTIONING REAR SIGNAL LIGHTS, I PAID FOR THE NEW HOUSING. THE DEALER ATE SOME OF THE COST SO ONLY CHARGED ME $39.32, FOR $41.68 WITH TAX. UPON GETTING HOME, GOOGLED THE PART # AND GOT A PRICE OF ~$28. SO, THIS IS NOT HUGE DOLLARS (AND FOR ME ITS JUST A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE) BUT BMW SHOULD BE TOLD TO BEHAVE LOGICALLY AND FAIRLY, ADHERE TO THEIR OWN WORDS IN THEIR LETTER, AND REPLACE ANY HOUSINGS DAMAGED BY THE ISSUE CAUSING THE RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 5 MPH, HE NOTICED A WARNING LIGHT WOULD INFORM HIM THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE OWNER FOR THE WIRING IN THE TAIL LIGHTS.THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN A FIVE YEAR TIME SPAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 5, 2011
RECALL SUMMARY BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. CONSEQUENCE INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. REMEDY BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417. NOTES BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.INTERNETAUTOGUIDE.COM/10-12-2002-12-107/2002-BMW-3-SERIES-RECALLS.HTML#IXZZ1FHEGYUFC. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATE THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WOULD DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE PIGTAIL WIRE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL TO FUNCTION. THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY BUT AFTER SOME TIME THE TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT NOTICED ONE OF THE CONNECTING WIRES HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TURN SIGNAL HOUSING WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PIG TAIL WIRE CONNECTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE LIGHT BULB. UPDATED 12/15/11. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/11/12
Exterior lighting, Nov 23, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED INTERMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 18, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BWW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS BURNT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2011
CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V438000... CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10435174.... SOME IF NOT ALL BACK UP, BRAKE, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT MOST OF THE TIME.... MY VIN.# IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE ALL THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE DOING THE RECALL ON. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAYS MY CAR IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL... I AM VERY UPSET. ..PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2011
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2011
TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ON PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED. BULBS AND WIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED REPEATEDLY, HOWEVER THESE CHANGES HAVE NOT SOLVED THE ISSUE. FAR TOO MANY EXPERIENCES WHERE COLLISIONS HAVE ALMOST OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILED REAR EXTERIOR LAMPS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2011
TAILLIGHT ELECTRICAL FAILURE. BRAKE AND TAILLIGHT FAILED AS A RESULT OF MALFUNCTIONING GROUND. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2011
DASHBOARD INDICATOR REPORTS RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT NOT FUNCTIONING THOUGH LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONING. REAR RIGHT TAILLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL HAVE CEASED TO FUNCTION TWICE SINCE PURCHASE ON 10/10/11. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THIS CAR NOT COVERED BY CURRENT RECALL (11V438000). *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2011
LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, FOUND SHORT IN SOCKET HOUSING, NO GROUND CONNECTED TO LEFT OR RIGHT REAR HOUSING UNITS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE END OF OCTOBER FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS), 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) AND 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OF THE MENTIONED RECALLS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 11, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE BRAKE AND TAILLIGHTS FAILED BECAUSE THE WIRING WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT WAS ADVISED BY A PERSONAL FRIEND THAT IF HE COULD GROUND THE WIRES AND KEEP THEM SEPARATED FROM THE HARNESS, THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE RESOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Exterior lighting, Oct 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE DID NOT WORK AR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE LIGHTS WERE REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/30/12
Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTINGLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING TAIL LIGHTS), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 1, 2011
THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IN THIS CURRENT RECALL. : HTTP://WWW.BLOOMBERG.COM/NEWS/2011-09-01/BMW-RECALLS-241-000-CARS-IN-U-S-FOR-REAR-LIGHT-MALFUNCTION-2-.HTML I HAVE CALLED IN TO BMW, BUT THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A 2002 325I, WHICH WAS MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE ONLY COVERING SPECIFIC VIN'S EVEN THOUGH MY MODEL YEAR WAS MENTIONED. 1. CAR TAIL LIGHTS PERIODICALLY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. SO MY CAR HAS THE TAILLIGHTS OFF IN THE DARK WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. 2. THE FAILURE AT FIRST WAS INTERMITTENT, NOW IS LIKELY PERMANENT. CARS BEHIND ME CAN NOT SEE ME SIGNAL IN TURNING SITUATIONS AND CAN NOT SEE ME AT NIGHT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. OPENING UP THE HOUSING SHOWS THE CONNECTORS BURNED AND PARTS OF THE PLASTIC HOUSING FOR THE CONNECTOR IS BURNED. THE ISSUE HAD TO DUE WITH THE CONNECTOR, WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT HAS TOO MUCH CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND BURN OUT THE HOUSING AND THE CONNECTOR. 3. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED, I JUST SWITCHED THE LIGHT BULBS. APPARENTLY THIS WAS NOT THE REAL ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2011
THE LEFT BLINKER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AND, AS A RESULT, REAR TAILLIGHT BULB OUTAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD ALL OTHER LIGHTS WERE OK. BMW DEALERSHIP MECHANIC DIAGNOSED TAIL LIGHT GROUND WIRING ISSUE: INSPECTION REVEALED THAT WIRES WERE MELTED INSIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT HOUSING AND COULD CAUSE FIRE. RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH TAIL LIGHT COMPONENTS BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL GROUND, CARRIER REPLACEMENTS FOR BULBS. REPLACEMENT SUPPLIES ON WORK ORDER INCLUDED SOCKETS, INSULATION HOUSING, CONNECTORS, SHRINKING HOSE. AFTER RESEARCH ON CONSUMER WEBSITES, I FOUND OUT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. MY BMW 325I IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD (2002) WITH ONLY 30,250 MILES ON IT. THIS KIND OF FUNDAMENTAL FLAW SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT BMW'S EXPENSE, NOT OURS. BMW NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS COMMON AND POTENTIAL DEADLY ISSUE. *KB
Exterior lighting, Aug 10, 2011
TAIL LIGHT WARNING APPEARED ON DASH, INDICATING REAR TAIL LIGHT OUT BUT ALL LIGHTS WERE WORKING AS EXPECTED. I REPLACED ALL LIGHT BULBS AND WARNING LIGHT ON DASH WOULD APPEAR INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY MY REAR BLINKER STOPPED WORKING; I REMOVED THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, AND DISCOVERED A BURNT SOCKET WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE BROWN WIRE, SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A SHORT PERHAPS CONNECTION WASN'T PROPERLY GROUNDED. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 19, 2011
REAR TAILIGHT BULB OUTAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD ALTHOUGH LIGHTS WERE OK. BMW MASTER MECHANIC DIAGNOSED TAIL LIGHT GROUND WIRING ISSUE: INSPECTION REVEALED THAT WIRES WERE MELTED INSIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT HOUSING AND COULD CAUSE FIRE. RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH TAIL LIGHT COMPONENTS BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL GROUND, CARRIER REPLACEMENTS FOR BULBS. REPLACEMENT SUPPLIES ON WORK ORDER INCLUDED SOCKETS, INSULATION HOUSING, CONNECTORS, SHRINKING HOSE. BECAUSE I WAS AWARE OF MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, NEGOTIATED A REDUCED PRICE FOR WORK. *TR