2002 BMW 3 Series Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 4%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2002 BMW 3 Series, 4% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 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.
“I have intermittent problems on hot days unlocking my car doors. My key button does not always open the door. I have to manually open the door. The real problem is when I'm inside the car, the unlock button does not work, even when I manually pull on the door handles from inside the car, the doors continues to be locked. This creates a very dangerous situation and a major safety hazard for all the passengers because the doors do not open. Once the car is cooler, they start to work again. I'm afraid that if I ever get into a car accident, nobody will be able to get out of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10344122, filed 2010-07, 123,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10030626Oct 2, 2009Bmw vehicles: doors will not unlock using the key fob or central locking button. *pe updated1/4/10. *pe updated 5/24/10.
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
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