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.
Air bags, Aug 29, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS AND THEY DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 26, 2016
BMW DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TAKATA AIRBAGS
Air bags, Aug 25, 2016
IT'S BEEN 15 MONTHS SINCE BEING NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL AND I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE MY CAR IS ONE OF THE OLDEST IN THE RECALL DATE RANGE AND IT IS THE DRIVER AIR BAG, WHICH IS THE ONE POSITION ALWAYS OCCUPIED IN THE VEHICLE AND BY ME. THERE IS ALREADY 140,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S MY DAILY DRIVER SO I BELIEVE IT IS AT RISK. HUMIDITY IS HIGH IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA WHERE THIS CAR HAS BEEN FOR IT'S LIFE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG IN THE CAR HAS NOT EVEN BEEN DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT IT FROM GOING OFF GIVEN I ALWAYS WEAR A SEAT BELT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A REPAIR CAN BE MADE.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS AND BRUISES ON THE LEFT ARM FROM THE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 17, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 17, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED 12/05/16.*JB
Air bags, Aug 11, 2016
RECEIVED INITIAL CONTACT FROM BMW IN SEPTEMBER 2014. "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". CAMPAIGN 14V 428 AND 15V 318. WHEN WILL THESE RECALLS BE RESOLVED?
Air bags, Aug 9, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 6, 2016
TAKATA RECALL OF FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL OVER A YEAR AGO. I AM STILL BEING TOLD BY BMW THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS UNAVAILABLE.. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WRONG TO WAIT WELL OVER A YEAR TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR! AND I'M STILL WAITING. I JUST SPOKE TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. I'D LIKE TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF SO PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Air bags, Aug 2, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MY 14 YEAR-OLD BMW'S DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAS STILL NOT BEEN REPLACED (RECALLED 05/27/2015)
Air bags, Jul 29, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2016
TAKATA RECALL HELLO, I'M AT MY BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW (BMW OF FAIRFAX) TO HAVE SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL AND NOTIFIED THE SERVICE CENTER AS TO WHEN I CAN GET MY AIR BAGS FIXED. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A DEFINITIVE TIME LINE. I WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TODAY TO HAVE REGULAR SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR AND AGAIN THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN EXACT TIME LINE. THEY SAID, "MAYBE A YEAR BUT WE'RE NOT SURE." I ALSO ASKED IF BMW IS STILL OFFERING THEIR CAR RENTAL PROGRAM UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED BUT THE SERVICE CENTER SAID BMW IS NO LONGER OFFERING THIS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SERVICE CENTER DOES NOT WANT TO PERFORM THE WORK AS I'M SURE THIS IS AT A MAJOR COST TO THEM.
Air bags, Jul 19, 2016
IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE MY CARS AS FIRST PLACED ON RECALL DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS, FIRST FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SINCE LAST JULY THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BASED ON THIS BEING AN UNREASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. I LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE TAKATA AIR BAGS ARE MORE APT TO BE DANGEROUS IN THIS WARM AND HUMID CLIMATE.
Air bags, Jul 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 13, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL.THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 7, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *JS
Air bags, Jun 25, 2016
DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 03/22/2016DATE OF INCIDENT: 05/04/2015COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGSNHTSA ID NUMBER: 10850988CONSUMER LOCATION: CHAPPAQUA, NY ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COMPLAINT EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE HELP 0 AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS CRASH:NO FIRE:NO NUMBER OF INJURIES:0 NUMBER OF DEATHS:0 MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): NOT AVAILABLE SUMMARY: TAKATA RECALL- I ASSUME THAT YOU ARE ENABLING TAKATA TO BE OFF THE HOOK FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE IT COSTS THEM TIME AND MONEY TO MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENTS AROUND THE CLOCK. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD RATHER WATCH DEATHS FOR TAKING MONEY FROM TAKATA AS PER OBAMA'S ORDERS.I WAS NOTIFIED A LONG TIME AGO THAT THE AIRBAG IN MY 2002 BMW 330XI WAS DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE. I HAVE CALLED BMW AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE DEADLY AIRBAG. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN OVER 2 HOURS PER DAY TO COMMUTE TO WORK AND BACK. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS AS A NEGLIGENT RESULT FOR NOT REPLACING THE AIRBAG, I WILL COMMENCE LEGAL ACTION AND MY NEGLIGENCE ATTORNEY WILL RUB HIS HANDS FOR YOU BUYING HIM A BIGGER HOME, WITH THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER, BMW, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR NOT ENFORCING THE AIRBAG RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jun 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB