2002 BMW M3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 18%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 BMW M3, 18% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,500 miles. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“In november, 2020, I received a notification from Bmw that the previous fix to my airbag was only a temporary fix, and I needed to bring my car in for a permanent fix. In january, 2021, the airbag light went on. I am getting ready to start driving my cars on a regular basis again, so I took the car in this week for the airbag recall. They spent 2 hours, to allegedly replace a module. As I was getting ready to leave, the airbag light was still on. They said that wasn't part of the recall, and I needed to pay $200 to have it diagnosed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11397063, filed 2021-02, 149,000 miles“Bmw sent me a recall notice to replace the takata passenger side air bag. I contacted my dealer in late october. The dealer has not responded and Bmw USA says it does not know when parts may be available. The car was purchased in miami, fl new from a Bmw dealer and was located in the florida keys for approximately 3 years. I now live on the water in northern california where the humidity is typically 99% overnight and my deck does not dry all day due to high humidity. Summertime temperatures are in the upper 80s to low 90s with several days each summer above 100 f. …”
NHTSA complaint #10671005, filed 2015-01, 80,000 miles“This car is subject to the airbag recall.I was first notified of this in september 2014. Since then, Bmw has repeatedly put off the target date for this repair. Back in october 2014, an article in the financial times stated that replacement parts for the first 25% of the parts would not be available until february 2015. If Bmw was aware of this in october 2014, why didn't they make alternate arrangements with another vendor and backcharge takata?”
NHTSA complaint #10691544, filed 2015-03, 170,000 miles“Rear park distance control sounded and airbag warning light came on simultaneously. Software reprogrammed 2 times so far which corrected the airbag warning light. Warning light has come back on after each reprogramming as soon as park distance control sounds. Note: car has smg transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10134382, filed 2005-08, 19,000 miles“Dt: drivers side door air bag deployed while driving for no reason. There was no accendent, no pot hole, and no objects were hit. Took to dealer on friday, and they still have the car. The injuries were burns and bruises to the left arm.”
NHTSA complaint #10123825, filed 2005-06, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V018000Jan 15, 2020DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW M3 2000–2006, 330CI 2000–2006, 325CI 2000–2006 +11 more
- 14V428000Jun 11, 2018DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes…Covers: BMW M3 2001–2006, 330I 2001–2006, 325I 2001–2006 +4 more
- 17V047000Jan 20, 2017DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW M3 2000–2002, X5 2001–2003, 320 2000–2002 +7 more
- 15V318000May 28, 2015DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW M3 2002–2006, 330CI 2002–2006, 325CI 2002–2006 +9 more
- 13V172000May 2, 2013DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW M3 2002–2003, 325I 2002–2003, 330I 2002–2003 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10184591Nov 1, 2020SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149558Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
- 10148100Jun 1, 2014Special Technical Campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged vehicle manufacturers to conduct an investigation into air bags which may not…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 54% |
| 2012 | 4 | 67% |
| 2011 | 6 | 19% |
| 2010 | 8 | 53% |
| 2009 | 8 | 18% |
| 2008 | 9 | 11% |
| 2006 | 9 | 64% |
| 2005 | 4 | 33% |
| 2004 | 9 | 29% |
| 2003 | 15 | 28% |
| 2002 | 7 | 18% |
| 2001 | 1 | 7% |
| 1999 | 5 | 45% |
| 1998 | 2 | 14% |
| 1997 | 3 | 16% |
| 1995 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW M3
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW M3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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