2002 BMW 3 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
40
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES
The 2002 BMW 3 SERIES has received a total of 40 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (6 complaints), Electrical System (6 complaints), and Electronic Stability Control Esc (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES
40 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTS TURNING BACK TO THE LEFT AFTER A RIGHT TURN. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND EVERY WEEK THE RESISTANCE IS HARDER TO OVERCOME. IT IS GETTING VERY CONCERNING ABOUT THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THIS PROBLEM.
2002 BMW 3 SERIES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT ANY ADDTIONAL RECALLS. *JS
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S PLUS TIRES 275/30/19 ON BMW M3 HAD BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. COULD HEAR RUBBER WHIPPING THE ROAD JUST PRIOR TO THE ABRUPTLY BURSTING. HAD TIRES INSPECTED AND TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CRACKING NEAR THE TREAD AND CENTER WEAR-BAR HAD PITTING IN THE RUBBER (15,622 MILES). CAR IS SELDOM DRIVEN AND ALWAYS GARAGED (CLIMATE CONTROLLED). TIRE STORE HAD SEEN IDENTICAL ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH SAME TIRE. DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE WITH SAME TIRES THAT POTENTIALLY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. LOST WARRANTY CREDITS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BRAND FOR FAMILY SAFETY. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE AND NEED TO BE REVIEWED FOR MATERIAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN. PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD A SPARE. ENDANGERMENT FROM POTENTIAL INJURY AND BEING STRANDED IN AN ISOLATED AREA.
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S PLUS TIRES 275/30/19 ON BMW M3 HAD BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. COULD HEAR RUBBER WHIPPING THE ROAD JUST PRIOR TO THE ABRUPTLY BURSTING. HAD TIRES INSPECTED AND TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CRACKING NEAR THE TREAD AND CENTER WEAR-BAR HAD PITTING IN THE RUBBER (15,622 MILES). CAR IS SELDOM DRIVEN AND ALWAYS GARAGED (CLIMATE CONTROLLED). TIRE STORE HAD SEEN IDENTICAL ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH SAME TIRE. DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE WITH SAME TIRES THAT POTENTIALLY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. LOST WARRANTY CREDITS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BRAND FOR FAMILY SAFETY. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE AND NEED TO BE REVIEWED FOR MATERIAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN. PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD A SPARE. ENDANGERMENT FROM POTENTIAL INJURY AND BEING STRANDED IN AN ISOLATED AREA.
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S PLUS TIRES 275/30/19 ON BMW M3 HAD BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. COULD HEAR RUBBER WHIPPING THE ROAD JUST PRIOR TO THE ABRUPTLY BURSTING. HAD TIRES INSPECTED AND TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CRACKING NEAR THE TREAD AND CENTER WEAR-BAR HAD PITTING IN THE RUBBER (15,622 MILES). CAR IS SELDOM DRIVEN AND ALWAYS GARAGED (CLIMATE CONTROLLED). TIRE STORE HAD SEEN IDENTICAL ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH SAME TIRE. DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE WITH SAME TIRES THAT POTENTIALLY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. LOST WARRANTY CREDITS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BRAND FOR FAMILY SAFETY. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE AND NEED TO BE REVIEWED FOR MATERIAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN. PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD A SPARE. ENDANGERMENT FROM POTENTIAL INJURY AND BEING STRANDED IN AN ISOLATED AREA.
Safety Rating for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB-12-16-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BMW: A SOFTWARE ERROR IS CAUSING THE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THERE WILL BE STORED TROUBLE CODES. *RM
SIB-72-01-10 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BMW VEHICLE: FRONT SAFETY BELT DOES NOT RETRACT SMOOTHLY OR JAMS. THE UPPER PART OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S FRONT SAFETY BELT DOES NOT ROLL UP FULLY OR ROLLS UP SLOWLY. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE INERTIA REEL IS INCORRECT AT THE FASTENING POINT. THE BELT IS TOUCHING THE GUIDE FUNNEL....
SI-B61-16-09 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
BMW: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OR INTERMITTENTLY. SYMPTOMS TYPICALLY INCLUDE VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND STARTING PROBLEMS. AFFECTED MAY BE THE EKP (ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED FUEL PUMP), AND CONTROL MODULES ON THE PT CAN OR CONNECTED TO THE 15WUP (WAKE UP) LINE. FUSE F70 MAY BE BLOWN. NO MODEL...
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2002 BMW 3 SERIES.
Investigation EA02012 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Closed
Opened:
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME
Other Model Years of the BMW 3 SERIES
- 1997 BMW 3 SERIES — 6 complaints
- 1998 BMW 3 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 1999 BMW 3 SERIES — 6 complaints
- 2000 BMW 3 SERIES — 111 complaints
- 2001 BMW 3 SERIES — 49 complaints
- 2002 BMW 3 SERIES (current)
- 2003 BMW 3 SERIES — 95 complaints
- 2004 BMW 3 SERIES — 93 complaints
- 2005 BMW 3 SERIES — 29 complaints
- 2006 BMW 3 SERIES — 288 complaints
- 2007 BMW 3 SERIES — 190 complaints