BMW · 3 Series · 2002
0
Recalls
441
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 BMW 3 Series has no recalls and 441 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (142 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY GM5 MODULE WHICH CONTROLS LOCKING/ UNLOCKING DOORS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS. GOT STRANDED TODAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT UNLOCK MY CAR. THE KEY FOB WOULDN'T UNLOCK IT AND EVEN USING THE KEY IN THE DOOR DIDNT WORK. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM.
KEEPS LEAKING ENGINE OIL EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE CHANGES. (CITY STREET, CHICAGO ILLINOIS) STATIONARY MOST OF THE TIME. HASN'T BEEN MOVED SINCE LEAKING OIL. (TOO WORRIED)
WHEN PUTTING ON SEATBELT ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE THE SEATBELT WILL GO IN AND MOMENTS LATER DURING DRIVING IT WILL UNCLIQUE AND COME OFF THIS HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE NOT ALL THE TIME. JUST HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY MOSTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. YOU CAN HEAR IT CLICK AND SOMETIMES I EVEN PULL IT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLICKED IN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SOMETIMES AFTER I DO THAT IT WILL UNCLICK, IT HAPPENS MOSTLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT KNOW IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE REAR SEAT BELTS.
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS WITH SWICKLEY PA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS. THEY NEVER SHOW UP OR CALL TO CANCEL .THEY SET UP 3 RENTAL CAR DELIVERY DAYS NEVER CAME. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I'VE EVEN SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT RENTAL JUS TO HURRY AND GET DONE AND THEY STILL DON'T COME. I'VE CALLED OFF FOR THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL IT'S NOT DONE. SINCE I'VE BEEN FIRED BECAUSE OF THIS AND STILL NOT FIXED. THE LAST TIME I CALLED THE SHOCKLEY DEALERSHIP SAID NOW THEY WON'T DO IT BECAUSE I'M UNHAPPY WITH THERE SERVICE. I REALLY WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM REMEDY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT FROM THE RECALL. I AM A SINGLE FATHER OF 2 AND I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD FOR ME OR KIDS TO B INJURED IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT FROM INSIDE THE CAR. A SMALL ACCIDENT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. I AM GOING TO TRY TO CONTACT BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU NEXT
THE CAR'S WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE ALL 4 OF THEM ARE NOT WORKING ALSO THIS POWERING STEERING IS HARD AND THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE TAIL LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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
THE SMELL OF ELECTIRCAL FIRE AND THICK BLACK SMOKE POORED OUT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY STEARING COLUM. FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT AND ENGUFFED MY BMW TO NOTHING!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BROWN WIRE CONNECTED TO THE TAIL LIGHT HAD MELTED. THE DEALER (BMW OF FAIRFAX, 8427 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA 22031) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 242,266.
ON WEDNESDAY, SEOTEMBER 26 2018 - MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE SINCE FRIDAY, SEPT 21. IT HAD RAINED A GREAT DEAL THAT WEEKEND. AT 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND THE WINDOWS WERE BLACK FROM THE INSIDE. I HAD BEEN SMELLING A STRANGE ELECTIRCAL BRUNING SMELL ALL DAY. I DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.THEY ARRIVED AND INVESTIGATED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE DASH WAS STILL ON FIRE INSIDE. THE PILLAR AIRBAG HAD EXPLODED AND MELTED AND HAD SPEWED PLASTIC ON THE FRONT SEATS. THE UPPER DRIVER SIDE CORNER AREA OF THE WINDSHEILD WAS BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD CATAPLULTED INTO IT FROM BELOW. THE PILLAR BAG INFLATOR WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR AND WAS BURNT IN THE BOTTOM. THE DRIVER DOOR PANEL HAD DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 BMW 3 Series has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 441 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 BMW 3 Series.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 BMW 3 Series.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 BMW 3 Series are air bags (142 reports), exterior lighting (58 reports), electrical system (29 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2002 BMW 3 Series. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.