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
442 reports, newest first.
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, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CRUNCHING SOUND CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. ..UPDATED 11/28/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE WINDOWS, GETTING JAMMED, OR BECOMING STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. ALL OF THE REGULATORS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK SYSTEM NOT WORKING. SOMETIMES, THE BUTTON AND SWITCHES WOULD NOT WORK. UPDATED 11/29/30
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
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 17, 2012
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE IN EARLY APRIL OF 2012. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE SAID THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO A FIRING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WHICH HAS FAILED. THE MECHANIC RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT IT CAME BACK ON ABOUT A MONTH LATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $500. UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100K MILES ON IT. *TR
Seats, Jul 17, 2012
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, AN ELECTRIC SPORT SEAT UPGRADE, WILL NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE SEAT WILL STILL RECLINE BUT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED FOR PROPER LEG ROOM. THE MILEAGE WAS 99,500. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2012
THE RED POSITIVE WIRE TERMINAL OVERHEATED AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THE PROBLEM WOULD KILL THE BATTERY AND CAR WOULD NOT START. SHOP SAID DUE TO THE LOCATION (THE TRUNK) OF THE BATTERY THEIR WAS NOT ENOUGH GROUND. THE SHOP FIXED THE PROBLEM BY GROUNDING THE ENGINE. *TR
Air bags, Jul 9, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS. BMW PENSACOLA AND CENTURY BMW GREENVILLE, SC HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AFTER MANY VISITS AND $1000. IN REPAIR CHARGES. BMW PENSACOLA SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AND WOULD NOT REFUND MY CHARGES. CENTURY BMW WANTED ME TO PAY $775. TO TRY TO CHANGE A COMPUTER PART THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WOULD FIX IT. THEY REFUSE TO SAY IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK DURING AN ACCIDENT. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAYS IT IS A DEALER PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 5, 2012
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER MOVED FROM REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,500.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 27, 2012, fire
CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY. PARKED IN GARAGE AT 6:30PM. AT 7:20AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT A WHITE VAPOR/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILL OF THE BMW 330CI. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STARTED SINCE BEING PARKED THE EVENING BEFORE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHITE VAPOR TURNED INTO HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM BENEATH THE CAR AS IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AT THE FIRST NOTICE OF VAPOR AND FIREMEN ARRIVED 12 - 18 MIN. LATER, AT WHICH TIME THE FIRE WAS FULLY ENGAGED. TWO EXPLOSIONS EMANATED FROM THE CAR. THE FIRE AND ITS SIGNIFICANT HEAT CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO A PORTION OF THE HOME, INCLUDING A BENT LOLLY COLUMN AND BURNED FRAMING. IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OVER 2 HOURS TO FULLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH LED TO MAJOR SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE AS WELL. *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.
Engine, May 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED SLOWLY TO THE SHOULDER AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THERE WERE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, AT THE DEALER'S RECOMMENDATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
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.
Air bags, Feb 20, 2012
MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR AS I DO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEIR AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT MY AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR
Seat belts, Feb 20, 2012
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT QUIT RETRACTING. *TR
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 31, 2011
VEHICLE ROUTINELY STALLS WHEN ENGINE IS COLD AND CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE. WE BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE AND GO OVER THE SLIGHT BUMP AT THE THRESHOLD, AND THE CAR STALLS AND MUST BE RE-STARTED. SEEMS AS IF ENGINE IS IDLING VERY HIGH AS WELL. ONCE RE-STARTED, THE CAR SEEMS TO RUN OK. *KB
Electrical system, Dec 29, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE SMALL FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG SHOWED EVIDENCE OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, MELTING THE BATCH OF WIRES THAT CONNECTED THE PORT TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
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