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, 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
Electrical system, May 19, 2011
FAILURE OF THE GENERAL MODULE 5 WHICH RESULTS IN FAILING TO OPENING THE DOOR VIA THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE CENTER CONSOLE AND KEY REMOTE. THIS WILL ALSO RESULT IN THE DOUBLE LOCKING MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE TO WHICH PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE PROPERLY EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MECHANICALLY (MANUAL LOCKS DO NOT WORK) FORCED TO LEAVE EITHER THROUGH THE WINDOW, TRUNK THROUGH REAR SEAT IF THE CAR HAS THIS FEATURE OR POSSIBLY ONLY THROUGH DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IF THE LOCKS FAIL ELECTRONICALLY THE PASSENGERS INSIDE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRIGGER A MECHANICAL WAY OF EXITING THE VEHICLE.
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
Air bags, Apr 19, 2011, crash
TL*THE DRIVER OWNED A 2002 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FATALLY INJURED AND DIED ON THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2011
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO NOTED MY TAIL/TURN SIGNAL LIGHT OUT INDICATOR ON DASH, BUT ALL BULBS WERE GOOD. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT THEN BECAME CONSTANT ON LEFT LIGHT INDICATOR. WENT ON BMW INTERNET FORUM AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO 3-SERIES ASCRIBED TO GROUND NOT GOOD ENOUGH, BURING PIN/PORT ON CONNECTOR. INDEED THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING/CONNECTOR. I SPLICED ANOTHER GROUND WIRE TO THE ORIGINAL AND CONNECTED TO THE HOUSING AS DESCRIBED IN THE ONLINE FORUM AND SEEMS TO WORK FOR NOW, BUT I FEEL NOT HAVING AN OPERABLE TURN SIGNAL ON THE REAR OF THE CAR COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 28, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE ORIGIN TO BE ELECTRICAL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2011
2002 BMW 325I SEDAN, 48,000 MILES WHEN BROWN WIRE AT PLUG ON REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY CORRODED OUT AND FORMED BLACK BURNED RESIDUE, AFTER RE ATTACHING THE WIRE, SYMPTOM RESURFACED AT 74,000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IN A FIRE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL WAS CORRODED AND EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HOUSING FIXTURE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 BMW 325XI BUT THERE ISN'T A 2003 YEAR TO ENTER FOR SOME REASON. BOTH TAIL LIGHTS AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. HAZARD LIGHT AND MAIN LOCK NEXT TO HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON HAVE GONE OUT COMPLETELY, DASH WARNING LIGHT HAVE ALSO GONE OUT BUT HAVE SINCE BEEN FIXED WITH FUSES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 29, 2010
2002 BMW 330CIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GEARS DO NOT ALWAYS SHIFT DOWN WHEN NEEDING TO STOP, OFTEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND CONTINUE AT THE SAME SPEED. *TGW THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE VANOS UNIT WHICH CONTROLLED THE CAMSHAFT AND IS PART OF THE ENGINE. *JB
Suspension, Dec 12, 2010
BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE CRACKED/BROKEN AT APPROX 55,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. BMW WILL NOT WARRANTY A REPLACEMENT SET OF SPRINGS. *TR
Visibility, Oct 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE LIFT REGULATOR AND POWER WINDOW MOTOR ON EVERY WINDOW EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,192. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN UPDATED 01/27/11
Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. HE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO FUNCTION UNTIL HE REMOVED THE REAR LIGHTING COVER IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE WIRES. HE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY RECEIVED A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WERE BLOWN OUT. WHEN HE EXAMINED THE BULBS HE WOULD NOTICED THAT THEY WERE FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS HAVE STOPPED UNLOCKING. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN UNLOCK THEM SINCE THEY WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN USING THE KEY, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BUT NOT THE OTHER DOORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2010
THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LAMP WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FAST DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL BLINKER AND REDUCED ILLUMINATION OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LAMP. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THIS IS PROBLEM IS DESCRIBE IN THE INVESTIGATION ACTION NUMBER: EA09019. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE LOCKS ON THREE OF THE DOORS WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN WHEN ACCESSING AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 01/12/11*LJ UPDATED 02/23/11
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 30, 2010
BEGINNING MID-SUMMER 2010, THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN WORKING ERRATICALLY. THE SITUATION HAS PROGRESSED AND OFTEN I MUST REACH THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE CENTER LOCKING SYSTEM ALSO DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS IA A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS HAZARD AS A PERSON COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN THE LOCKED VEHICLE AFTER A CRASH BECAUSE THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 21, 2010
2002 BMW 325I REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. BMW AMERICA SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL THESE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLES ARE 8 YEARS OLD. IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2010
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE OR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE INSIDE THE CAR (THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN SO I COULD REACH INSIDE) I HAD TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND CLIMB ACROSS THE SEAT TO GET INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE BUTTON BETWEEN THE SEATS TO UNLOCK ALL OF THE DOORS ALSO FAILED TO OPEN ANY OF THE LOCKS. THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH BESIDE IT STILL WORKED, SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM ISN'T DUE TO THAT FAULTY SWITCH. THIS DOOR LOCKS RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND IT HASN'T YET RETURNED IN THE FIVE DAYS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2010
I HAD GOTTEN RAIN ON MY HAZARD AND LOCK BUTTON ON MY 2002 BMW 325I. AT FIRST I HAD THE HAZARDS GOINGS OFF AT NIGHT UP TO FIFTEEN TIMES PER NIGHT FOR A WEEK STRAIGHT. "I HAD TO RUN OUTSIDE AND HOLD DOWN THE HAZARD BUTTON UNTIL THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. NOW THE LIGHTS JUST BLINK THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT ONCE OR TWICE WHILE IGNITION IS OFF OR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO NOT TO MENTION THE LOCKS GO OFF REPEATEDLY ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP TO SEE WHAT SHOULD BE DONE NEXT. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 31, 2010
BMW 2002 330I 4 DOOR SEDAN. THE RAIN GUTTERS SURROUNDING BOTH THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE COME LOOSE AND PREVENT THE DOORS FROM CLOSING TIGHT. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT FULLY CLOSE. BMW SERVICE CONFIRMS THAT THE ADHESIVE HOLD THE GUTTER CLIPS IN PLACE FAILS AS DO THE CLIPS THEMSELVES. IN A CONVERSATION WITH BMW THEY CALL THIS WEAR AND TEAR AND REFUSE TO REPAIR THE GUTTERS! IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE PROPERLY CLOSED. NO DEATH OR INJURY YET BUT THE POTENTIAL IS CERTAINLY THERE. BMW SUGGESTED REPLACING THE GUTTERS FOR $450. WHICH ACCORDING TO THEM IS THE ONLY "CURE" FOR THE FAILURE. THIS SAFETY FAILURE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2010, fire
2002 BMW 325I SEDAN, ELECTRICAL FIRE IN LEFT REAR TRUNK DUE TO SHORT IN REAR DRIVE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, BROWN GROUNDING WIRE MELTED HOUSING, UNIT NOT WORKING. *TR