2002 BMW M3 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 30%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 BMW M3, 30% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,500 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 a Bmw M3 which has an smg transmission. I was driving and all of a sudden my car loses power to change the gears and my car started to jerk while on the road nearly crashing into another car. It turns out that the smg pumps for Bmw M3 have always a high failure design flaw. The cost to fix that is also unbearable which nears the $5,000 mark. There has been forums going around that this is indeed a design flaw for Bmw. I almost nearly got into a car accident, but thankfully I was ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #10430221, filed 2011-10, 123,456 miles“I own a 2002 Bmw M3. There are six camshaft bolts behind a plate cover. Bmw speced bolts that were too soft until 2004 when they changed bolt spec to a hardened steel with loctite. Prior to this the bolts had no loctite. The issue is starting to surface all over the web. The failure is that the bolts do not stay screwed in. They back out and stop against the plate cover. Eventually they shear off and if this happens it causes catastrophic failure to your engine. In my case I was going 15mph so the damage was only $10,000. The car hammered to a stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10344604, filed 2010-07, 64,000 miles“Bmw has had a rash of engine failures on their new e46 M3's. These failures usually (im my case and many others) has resulted in the engine actually blowing up. This is probably one of the most dangerous failures that could happen. Oil dumps all over the road, things lock up and you could easily lose control. Fortunately for me, I was able to get off the road and no one else was involved. Bmw has been replacing these motors under warranty, but will not disclose the reason for the failures or what has been fixed to insure it does not happen again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10006959, filed 2002-10, 5,623 miles“Multiple problems with the vehicel. The engine was replaced at 16000, the transmission (smg) was re[;aced at 20000, now the engine rev high at idel and send stron vibration to the cabin and steering column. Bmw of houston north, a local dealer in houston, tx, were less than helpful in trying to solve the current problem. It appears that they want to keep the problems with M3 quiet.”
NHTSA complaint #10031136, filed 2003-08, 15,000 miles“Bmw has had a rash of engine failures on their new e46 m3s. These failures usually(in my case and many others)has resulted in the engine actually blowing up. This is probably one of the most dangerous failures that could happen. Oil dumps all over the road, things lock up and you could easily loose control. Fortunately for me, I was able to get off the road and no one else was involved. Bmw has been replacing these motors under warranty, but will not disclose the reason for the failures or what has been fixed to insure it does not happen again. …”
NHTSA complaint #768005, filed 2002-10Related service bulletins
- 10032574Oct 1, 2009Bmw: voluntary emissions recall 08e-a03; m3 s54-dme reprogramming for catalyst conversion diagnosis. The dme programming, as originally installed, may cause the obd diagnostic to…
- 10030850Aug 1, 2009Bmw: thermostat housing inspection. The retaining springs of the thermostat housing quick release couplings for the coolant hoses may not be locked correctly. This situation may…
- 10029304Apr 1, 2009Bmw: as originally installed, the dme programming may cause the obd diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the efficiency of the catalytic converters. Model e46 (m3) coupe and…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 7% |
| 2005 | 3 | 25% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 12 | 30% |
| 2001 | 3 | 21% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% |
| 1997 | 3 | 16% |
| 1995 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW M3
8 complaintsAir bags
7 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 27, 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