2002 BMW M3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 3%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,045miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 2002 BMW M3, 3% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,045 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 am filing this complaint on behalf of myself and the countless others experiencing this potentially fatal defect in Bmw's smg pump unit. I was driving on the freeway for about 5 minutes when I noticed my car immediately shifted into neutral without me making that decision. I was in the middle of changing lanes when this happened. The smg warning light came on. I put my hazards on. The car abruptly slowed as it chose to shift back to 4th gear as I was going 65mph. I tried shifting back up to gear safely get to the shoulder but with no luck as the vehicle went back into neutral. …”
NHTSA complaint #10598930, filed 2014-06, 70,045 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 22% |
| 2016 | 3 | 60% |
| 2013 | 4 | 31% |
| 2012 | 2 | 33% |
| 2011 | 16 | 52% |
| 2010 | 4 | 27% |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% |
| 2008 | 20 | 24% |
| 2004 | 2 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 6% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW M3
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 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