2002 BMW Z3 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW Z3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW Z3. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by steering (2) and brakes (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,500 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags2 33%
- Steering2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Seat belts1 17%
Example complaints
Steering: “Two times we have been unable to disengage the steering wheel locked. We have had to get the car towed to dealer for service. We thought that the first time was a mistake, then it happened a second time. No matter how hard we tried, we could not get the steering wheel unlocked to drive the car, even though we had the key. The vehicle was in the parking position and we could not get the steering wheel to move. We have a automatic transmission with a key lock. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811359, filed 2015-12, 102,000 milesBrakes: “2002bmw Z3. The ABS/dsc system malfunctions at speeds above 40mph. The right front brake engages and abruptly forces the car to pull hard right. The ABS lights on the display panel. No bumps or bad road conditions were experienced prior to or at the time this malfunction occurs. This is a very serious safety issue endangering not only the driver, but all vehicle drivers in proximity.”
NHTSA complaint #11258709, filed 2019-09, 35,200 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,200 and 69,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 BMW Z3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z3 Coupe RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Z3 Coupe RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 BMW Z3 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Exterior lighting. Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10037702Jun 1, 2010Engine cooling. Bmw: when at lower speeds or stopping the engine idle dips too low because of a software problem.
- 10036979Jun 1, 2010Steering. Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Fuel system. Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet…
Other model years of the BMW Z3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 6 | 50,500 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 19 | 42,600 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2000 | 34 | 71,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 39 | 88,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 30 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 47 | 88,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 30 | 74,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All BMW Z3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW Z3 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW Z3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 BMW Z3 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 2002 BMW Z3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW Z3 get?
The EPA rates the 2002 BMW Z3 (Z3 Coupe, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW Z3 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,500 miles and the middle half falls between 35,200 and 69,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.