2002 Bmw M3 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Bmw M3.

20012003
Complaints
48
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2002 Bmw M3 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#16 complaints

AIR BAGS

Avg mileage:110,600 mi
#25 complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Avg mileage:28,208 mi
#35 complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Bmw M3.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
AIR BAGS6110,600 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE528,208 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4141,522 mi
POWER TRAIN453,636 mi
SUSPENSION3129,735 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2123,456 mi
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2115,000 mi
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2126,400 mi
STRUCTURE:BODY2137,000 mi
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW160,000 mi
ENGINE170,045 mi
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING186,000 mi
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS184,000 mi
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS1115,000 mi
SUSPENSION:REAR184,000 mi
TIRES1775,000 mi
UNKNOWN OR OTHER195,000 mi
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL115,000 mi
VISIBILITY150,000 mi
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES182,585 mi

Recalls for 2002 Bmw M3

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,559,511 vehicles.

20V018000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
~292,948 affected

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.

14V428000AIR BAGS
~574,007 affected

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.

17V047000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
~230,117 affected

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.

15V318000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
~419,235 affected

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.

13V172000AIR BAGS
~43,204 affected

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.

Other Bmw M3 Years

Wider context: See the full Bmw M3 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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