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BMW 3 SeriesModel year report

2002 BMW 3 Series Problems

Complaints
26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
92,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW 3 Series (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 3 Series. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and electronic stability control (3). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 24% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 92,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 54 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (1), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Was driving on a cloverleaf ramp in baton rouge, la. (hwy 61 & florida blvd.) when passenger side air bag deployed causing me to veer to the right. I then hit a drain on the curbing and blew out both right side tires and bent rims. Outside temp was 90* with no rain. ( not sure of exact vehicle mileage b/c car is in shop) I can get pictures if needed.”

NHTSA complaint #10605763, filed 2014-06, 130,000 miles

Electrical system: “I opened the passenger door in the morning after the car had been parked overnight. I had a hockey bag with approximately 25 lbs of equipment sitting on the passenger seat which I removed from the car and closed the door. I forgot something and went back to the car, about 40 seconds later, and saw a cloud of white smoke at the ceiling and I opened the door. The car had a strong smell of burning plastic/electronics. Whatever was burning stopped and there was no visible flame. I checked all the electrical switches and all the equipment seemed to work fine and no fuses were blown. …”

NHTSA complaint #10985819, filed 2017-05, 129,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “I was driving along and 3 dash lights came on indicating a problem. I checked and the lights meant the stability control wasn't working (first time this ever happened). Took the car to Bmw and was told one of two computers wasn't making this safety feature work. Cost of one was $1700.00 but they could not guarantee it would be the problem and I might need to then have a new 2nd computer at $3400.00. Or a total of $5100.00, I purchased the car new and the car has been driven gently. …”

NHTSA complaint #10546920, filed 2013-10, 71,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “Tail light, brake light and turn signal on passenger side of the vehicle has repeatedly failed. Bulbs and wires have been changed repeatedly, however these changes have not solved the issue. Far too many experiences where collisions have almost occurred due to the failed rear exterior lamps.”

NHTSA complaint #10434881, filed 2011-11, 130,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

24% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 129,000 miles.

10%0–1010%10–255%25–5014%50–7519%75–10033%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 92,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’03’05’10’12’144’16’18
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 BMW 3 Series. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
3 Series · sedan not rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 BMW 3 Series in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 54 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 54 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 3 Series

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2013213,7500———Stable
2012738,6343———Not enough data
20103059,2562——31 · FewerStable
20095368,0001——54 · TypicalStable
20086855,0002——50 · TypicalStable
200711560,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200620266,0503——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052570,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20047780,4500——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20037377,2170——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022692,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200136117,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20008895,5001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19996105,3301———Not enough data
1997567,6000———Not enough data

All BMW 3 Series model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW 3 Series have?

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 3 Series as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 BMW 3 Series is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.

Has the 2002 BMW 3 Series been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW 3 Series reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 92,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 129,000 miles; 24% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.