MYRModel Year Report

2002 BMW E46

○ Not enough data
2002 BMW E46
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:23:31.765Z

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW E46 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 3 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 1 complaints 1996 1997: 4 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaints 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaints 2004: 4 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005
2002: 2 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19902
19910
19920
19933
19943
19956
19961
19974
19980
19991
200018
20010
20022
20031
20044
20050

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 2 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

VISIBILITY

1 of 2 total reports mentions: visibility.

Show complaint excerpts

THE REARVIEW MIRROR LEAKED AND IT IS BLURRY NOW IN MY 2002 BMW M3. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF BMW'S. DEALER WON'T REPLACE AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20081231

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 of 2 total reports mentions: electrical system.

Show complaint excerpts

LOOK AT THIS - ANOTHER BMW RECALL IS IN ORDER MY BATTERY KEEPS GETTING FLOODED WITH WATER AND THEN THE CAR WON'T START UNDER SNOW THE ICE MELTS AND SOMEHOW GETTING INTO THE COMPARTMENT WITH THE BATTERY IN THE BOOT NOTHING ELSE IN THE BOOT IS...

NHTSA ODI report, 20150311

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060510 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL

Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

Campaign 06E040000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090408 — DP (closed 20090806)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090807 — PE (closed 20091222)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20091218 — EA (closed 20110928)

Rear Lamp Illumination

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 BMW E46 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E040000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2002 BMW E46 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW E46?

The most-reported component is visibility:rearview mirrors/devices, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 BMW E46 have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.