Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2002 BMW 3 Series, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every BMW 3 Series year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model. Naming may differ, or it predates EPA records.
6 open NHTSA investigations into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2002 BMW 3 Series Sedan w/SAB
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The parts named most often across 443 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
11 crashes · 1 fire · 15 injured · 1 death
14 fires
5 fires
1 injured
1 fire
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
2 complaint-reported fatalities on this model.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325CI. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V318000 (Air Bags) and 13V172000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repairs were completed. The vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact's husband stated that while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed to power on, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster was not working when the vehicle was brought to the dealer. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was not informed if the repair was covered by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the issue was between the contact and the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
I brought my 325ci into BMW Buena Park to have an airbag recall completed. There were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled with error codes. I returned the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes but on my way home the dash light returned and faults were present after taking to 2 independent specialists. I returned to the dealer and spoke to service manager who said they would review and let me know their findings. They never responded and left me with a car that is now unsafe to drive. I believe this is the result of poor workmanship in addressing an NHTSA recall and has turned a potential safety concern into a real one. I have contacted BMW USA about this as well.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that upon exiting the store, he observed fire emerging from the driver's side dashboard. The vehicle spontaneously combusted and was engulfed in flames. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The fire department was able to successfully extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was still in the parking lot where the incident occurred. A police officer was on the scene, but no report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the automated system confirmed there was no recall coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled with thick gray smoke which also came out of the trunk when they opened it. , the air bag was activated on the driver's side - the windshield was broken and the interior was a melted mess. The dashboard was melted on the driver’s side and the window was blackened. .the drivers side was where the damage had been from the accident. I do not think it coincidence. It seems i am not the only person whose bmw has spontaneously caught on fire. I did get bmw involved as far as sending documentation and talking to a rep. They of course were blameless. They did say they believe it was caused by an error made during a repair that allowed the rain water to get into the wiring. It had been raining hard for a couple days. But they could not say based on what i sent them if it was the body shop that did the most recent repair that made the error or it was done prior to that by another shop. But that they would not be investigating further. My much loved bmw been totaled and i will never what caused it.
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that approximately 7-months after the repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where a diagnostic test showed that a wire from the A-pillar connector to side air bags had high resistance. The dealer stated that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact stated that several days later the air bag warning light disappeared without the repair being performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44,743.
Air bags deployed after collision, vehicle has been released from Falcon Towing 15600 S Main St, Gardena, CA 90248 to Automobile Club for inspection. Injuries sustained from airbag deploying include, but are not limited to, lacerations, abrasions, bruising as a broken rib and collapsed lung.
2002 BMW 325 I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REMAINING EXPENSES.THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
I got a notice in the mail for an airbag recall. I called the number (877-225-0472) in early December. I was told to call Fremont BMW (510-360-5902) The first question they asked was: Did you buy your vehicle from us? I told them that the car is not currently registered. They told me to schedule a tow on my mobile phone. I don't have a mobile phone. The notice said that some of the dealers have mobile service where they come to your house. They said they would get back to me. That was over a month ago. I don't think BMW is taking this recall seriously.
LOSS OF POWER THE BATTERY DIES QUICK AND ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF RANDOMLY AND THE CAR HAS LOST ACCELERATION AIR BAG NEEDS REPLACED AND THE CAR MAKES NOISES
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761; (909) 402-3052) AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.
AFTER READING MANY FORUM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MY VEHICLE PROBLEM IS THE GM5 MODULE. THIS MODULE CONTROLS A WIDE SELECTION OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTION ON THIS CAR. THE FUNCTION THAT IS AT ISSUE IS THE CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING FUNCTION INITIATED BY THE KEY, KEY FOB OR LOCKING CONTROL BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE. BY RESEARCHING ONLINE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE BMW E46 MODEL HAS HAD A LONG PERIOD THAT THIS MODULE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THIS FAULTY MODULE (GM-5) WILL LEAVE YOU LOCKED OUT OF YOUR CAR AND OR ONCE INSIDE NOT ALLOW ANY OTHER DOORS TO OPEN BY ANY MEANS. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU MAY BE THREATENING SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AS IT SPANS YEARS OF PRODUCTION. I AM JUST REPORTING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WE HAPPEN TO KEEP OUR CARS ALONG TIME AND THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE AND FRUSTRATING PROBLEM.
Showing 12 of 443 complaints.