2002 BMW M3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 20%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 BMW M3, 20% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Multiple incidents since the day after we purchased the car: ?driving in 4th gear (anywhere from 10 to 40 mins of driving) will suddenly feel as if clutch is engaged so I cannot accelerate, yellow transmission warning light comes on, then I have to coast to a complete stop and shut the engine off. It can take several attempts to restart the car to re-engage back into 1st gear. Noticed if I wait long enough, once the transmission warning light also turns off then I can restart back in first gear. All this while driving in auto mode. …”
NHTSA complaint #10470150, filed 2012-08, 77,500 miles“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 miles“On november 2nd, 2005, at 6:30 p.m., my family got into the M3. That included my wife in front, and three daughters in the back. We were on the way to meet my father for dinner. We had planned to take the 60 freeway westbound, of which the on ramp is off a street called chino hills parkway. To our shock, the freeway was jammed like a parking lot, so we proceed to make a u-turn to take an alternate side road. Travelling southbound on chino hills parkway at about 25 to 30 MPH in 2nd gear, the smg gear indicator goes to 0 . …”
NHTSA complaint #10141672, filed 2005-11, 45,000 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“2002 Bmw M3, repeated smg transmission failures rendering the vehicle inoperable. Bmw has no idea what is causing the problem. Bmw also damaged the vehicle trying to retrive it for yet another repair attempt. It may have started itself without the key in it while the tow truck was picking it up. Bmw is in a constant state of denial. Vehicle has been in the dealer 6 weeks now and counting and it has less than 8000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10056196, filed 2004-01, 7,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 3 | 23% |
| 2011 | 4 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 53% |
| 2008 | 37 | 45% |
| 2006 | 2 | 14% |
| 2005 | 2 | 17% |
| 2004 | 6 | 19% |
| 2003 | 14 | 26% |
| 2002 | 8 | 20% |
| 2001 | 4 | 29% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 21% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW M3
12 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 29, 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