Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2002 BMW M3 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints: 2about this part
Share: 5%of 40 total for the year
Median mileage: 66,292miles
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 BMW M3, 5% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,292 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.

“Auto dimming mirror on 2002 Bmw M3 coupe leaked and is now permanently dimmed on 3/4 of the mirror. It now inhibits my ability to see out the rear of my car. I have been told that the liquid is toxic and corrosive, however Bmw still has not issued a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10336211, filed 2010-06, 50,000 miles

“The rear mirror in my vehicle is a self-dimming one. While parked in the garage overnight, I came out to a significant discoloration in the glass, almost like there was water inside of the mirror. I figured it would need replacement, but did not think it would deteriorate so fast. The next evening, I parked in the garage again. I came out the next morning and the discoloration had worsened. I noticed splatter all over the area underneath the mirror. It appears the fluid had leaked out and dripped all over my shifter, trim, window buttons, and cupholders. …”

NHTSA complaint #10386028, filed 2011-03, 82,585 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

Year	Complaints	Share of year
2011	1	3%
2008	1	1%
2005	2	17%
2004	7	23%
2003	4	7%
2002	2	5%
2001	1	7%
1998	2	14%
1997	4	21%

Other parts of the 2002 BMW M3

Engine cooling
12 complaints Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints Air bags
7 complaints Electrical system
4 complaints Body and structure
4 complaints Suspension
4 complaints Engine
1 complaints Equipment
1 complaints Exterior lighting
1 complaints Other or unknown
1 complaints Tires
1 complaints Vehicle 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