2002 BMW M3: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (28% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The door central lock control module fails on all of the e46 bmw models where the passenger and driver can become trapped in the vehicle because the door locks cannot be unlocked in any way because of the faulty gm5 central locking module”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2020
“Upon inspection, vehicle's rear subframe mounting points show cracking and other signs of structural fatigue consistent with other similar vehicles that have undergone complete rear subframe failure. Vehicle's subframe needs to be reinforced and bmw settled in a class action suit regarding the issue, however, the issue was not escalated to a recall, possibly leaving thousands of unsafe vehicles on the road.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2018
“Passenger door would not open from inside or outside the car. Car was parked, door would not unlock after pushing remote or console button or when pulling door handle inside which normally unlocks it. This could be a death trap in case of fire! I hear there are known issues with the gm5 module.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“This car is subject to the airbag recall.I was first notified of this in september 2014. Since then, bmw has repeatedly put off the target date for this repair. Back in october 2014, an article in the financial times stated that replacement parts for the first 25% of the parts would not be available until february 2015. If bmw was aware of this in october 2014, why didn't they make alternate arrangements with another vendor and backcharge takata? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“I took my car into the bmw dealer for a inspection, they found the subframe/trunk floor was cracking and would not be able to put my car on a vehicle lift for further inspection and advised me it may not be safe to drive. Looking into this online this seems to be a common saftey problem with these cars. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2011
“I have a bmw m3 which has an smg transmission. I was driving and all of a sudden my car loses power to change the gears and my car started to jerk while on the road nearly crashing into another car. It turns out that the smg pumps for bmw m3 have always a high failure design flaw. The cost to fix that is also unbearable which nears the $5,000 mark. There has been forums going around that this is indeed a design flaw for bmw. I almost nearly got into a car accident, but thankfully I was ok. Please look into this matter as I feel as well as everyone else in the bmw comunittee that it should be a recall. Thank you for your time. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2011
“The exhaust cam hub tabs break off on the 2000-2008 bmw m3 models. If caught when only one tab breaks it can be replaced. If both tabs break completely off the engine will seize. There are hundreds of people with the same issue. Bmw na will not address this issue. *js”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2011
“Inspection at dealer, bmw of peabody, 221 andover street, peabody ma 01960, found both rear springs broken. I was told that this is quite normal for bmw 3 series. I believe that broken rear springs could contribute to loss of control and possible injury to persons.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2010
“Auto dimming mirror on 2002 bmw m3 coupe leaked and is now permanently dimmed on 3/4 of the mirror. It now inhibits my ability to see out the rear of my car. I have been told that the liquid is toxic and corrosive, however bmw still has not issued a recall. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw m3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, all of the exterior lamps would sporadically fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 108,000. The VIN was not available. Car should be included in NHTSA campaign id number 11v438000 same exact problems. Updated 10/19/2011 *ln”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact M3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 BMW M3 reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW M3. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 BMW M3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 BMW M3 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.