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, 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.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2016
WHEN STARTING THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN IN COLD TEMPERATURES (-25 C OR COLDER) THE FUEL INJECTORS LEAK SIGNIFICANTLY. IT APPEARS AS IF THE BODY OF THE INJECTORS SHRINKS SUCH THAT THE INJECTOR PULLS AWAY FROM THE FUEL RAIL. A STEADY STREAM OF FUEL IS OBSERVED OUT OF SEVERAL INJECTORS. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING IS ENOUGH TO OBSERVE A STEADY STREAM OF FUEL EXITING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL ENOUGH HEAT HAS BUILT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO WARM THE INJECTORS AND CAUSE THEM TO SEAL AGAINST THE FUEL RAIL. WHILE DRIVING IN TEMPERATURES AROUND 25 C, THIS USUALLY TAKES 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO WARM UP ENOUGH TO STOP THE LEAKING.
Air bags, May 2, 2016
2002 BMW 325I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Air bags, Apr 12, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE...UPDATED 05/09/16 *BF
Air bags, Apr 11, 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Apr 7, 2016
I BOUGHT MY BMW 330I E46 2002 5 YEARS AGO AND NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AFTER THE FIRST DRIVE. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THE CODE THAT THREW THE LIGHT ON WAS (P0741). I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE DETERMINED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE GAS MILAGE, HARD SHIFTING AT TIMES AND MOST LIKELY SHORTENED TRANSMISSION LIFE. THIS PROBLEM AS HAS CAUSE MY CAR TO NOT BE ABLE TO PASS SMOG!
Air bags, Apr 7, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL"-WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF A BMW 325I SERIES, 2002 AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL.
Air bags, Apr 7, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE 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.
Air bags, Apr 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN JULY 2015 STATING THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THEY WILL LET ME KNOW WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR BEFORE IT IS REPAIRED?
Air bags, Apr 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. 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 NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 30, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL 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. THE VIN WAS INVALID. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ *TR
Air bags, Mar 22, 2016
TAKATA RECALL- I ASSUME THAT YOU RAE ENABLING TAKATA TO BE OFF THE HOOK FROM RESPONSIBILIITY TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS BECUASE 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 OBAMAS 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 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).' *BF
Air bags, Mar 2, 2016
RECEIVED RECALL ON AIRBAGS IN 2015 CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THEM. BOTH OF THEM NEED REPLACED THIS IS NOT SAFE...HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE THESE.
Air bags, Feb 16, 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 RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 3, 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 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.
Air bags, Feb 2, 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 NEEDED TO PERFORM 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seat belts, Feb 1, 2016
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY, THE PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT LEANED FORWARD, EXTENDING THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT FROM ITS RETRACTOR. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN THE PASSENGER SAT UPRIGHT AND WILL NOT RETRACT NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND.
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.
Air bags, Jan 27, 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ *CN
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2016
THIRD WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON MY 2002 BMW 325 - THREE DIFFERENT WINDOWS. I FINALLY GOT SICK OF IT AND CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE WINDOWS GO DOWN & YOU CAN'T GET THEM BACK UP. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND EASILY FOUND TONS MORE COMPLAINTS. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE GOOD ON - IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND ANYONE WHO ALREADY PAID TO FIX IT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. CHEAP ROTTEN PARTS. HERE'S ONE EXAMPLE OF WHAT I SAW WHEN I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET -. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/REAR-WINDOW-REGULATOR-455 AND HERE IS ANOTHER ONE HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=802143. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2016
FINAL STAGE UNIT (AKA BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR) KEEPS FAILING AND SHORTING OUT INTERNALLY CAUSING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS AND RELATED OBD2 WARNINGS AS WELL AS BATTERY DRAIN. I HAVE REPLACED THIS PART 5 TIMES AND 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2016
PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MATT SENSOR FOR PASSENGER WEIGHT AND AIRBAG INFLATION RATE IS INOPERATIVE AND BROKEN.
Air bags, Jan 22, 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 RECALL 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2016
POSSIBLE TAKATA INFLATORS - MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TRAVELING DOWN I-40 WESTBOUND IN MIDWEST CITY, OKLAHOMA AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE, SIDE AIRBAG AND OVERHEAD AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION. PLASTIC AND DEBRIS FLEW IN OUR FACES/BODIES, WHITE POWDER FILLED THE CAR, AND I SWERVED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR IN THE PROCESS BECAUSE MY EYES WERE WATERING AND I COULD NOT SEE VERY WELL, NOT TO MENTION WAS IN A DAZE BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE. I HAVE PICTURES, BUT THEY WILL NOT UPLOAD TO THIS SITE FOR SOME REASON. THEY ARE JPG.
Air bags, Jan 8, 2016
I WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 15V-318 IN JULY 2015. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF INFLATED ON IMPACT. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. INSKIP BMW ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PART. IF IT IS THIS DANGEROUS, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?