2002 BMW 3 Series Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 4%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 BMW 3 Series, 4% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 200,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This is not as much a complaint as a request for help. Since march of 2013 I have replaced 5 throttle bodies and 3 gas pedal sensors, all oem parts. The problem that happened again today: driving at normal highway speed [55/60] the eml, traction control and brake warning lights all went on. Pulled over and turned off. Restarted, now service engine, eml, traction control and brake lights were on. Turned off, restarted, same lighting situation, very rough idle and car would not drive, as it was struggling for fuel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586396, filed 2014-05, 200,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10036984Jun 1, 2010Bmw: it is now possible to perform a fuel quality detection test on vehicles with an n54 engine.
- 10036981Jun 1, 2010Bmw: warning message on about low diesel exhaust fuel level and that the engine will not restart within 999 miles. The light comes on a few thousand miles earlier than a…
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery…
- 10033131Oct 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: engine cranks but does not start; fuel level gauge displays a sufficient amount of fuel, although the fuel tank is empty; fault code 2a1c (fuel level plausibility)…
- 10032989Dec 1, 2007Bmw: fuel level sensor repair procedure. The case where it is necessary to replace the right side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing does not need to…
- 10032814Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: s54-catalyst protection mode while the vehicle is low on fuel. Complaints that the vehicle has no power during heavy acceleration. Fuel reserve light is illuminated…
- 10032812Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: m54/m56-mixture too lean-fault codes 2882/2883 are stored in the dme. Complaints that service engine soon light is illuminated. The fault codes 2882/2883-fuel trim…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 2 | 29% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 19% |
| 2008 | 8 | 12% |
| 2007 | 12 | 10% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 17% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW 3 Series
6 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology