2002 BMW M3
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 19 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2003 | 54 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 82 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
30% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
THE EXHAUST CAM HUB TABS BREAK OFF ON THE 2000-2008 BMW M3 MODELS. IF CAUGHT WHEN ONLY ONE TAB BREAKS IT CAN BE REPLACED. IF BOTH TABS BREAK COMPLETELY OFF THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120321
AS AN OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE I AM CONCERNED BY THE SAFETY, RELIABILITY AND RESALE VALUE ISSUES RAISED BY OVER 80 ENGINE FAILURES. THESE HAVE BEEN CATALOGUED AT URL HTTP://MEMBERS.ROADFLY.COM/JASON/M3ENGINES.HTM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20020917
ENGINE BLEW UP WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AFTER PULLING OVER CONSUMER FOUND A LOT OF PIECES TO ENGINE ON FLOOR, AND OIL WAS EVERY WHERE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020409
20% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040130
WHILE DRIVING AND CHANGING GEARS COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE. HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR A THIRD TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE, AND REPLACED TWICE.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020116
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 20120810
18% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DT: DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO ACCENDENT, NO POT HOLE, AND NO OBJECTS WERE HIT. TOOK TO DEALER ON FRIDAY, AND THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR. THE INJURIES WERE BURNS AND BRUISES TO THE LEFT ARM.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20050601
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA ODI report, 20231013
13% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
UPON INSPECTION, VEHICLE'S REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS SHOW CRACKING AND OTHER SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL FATIGUE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNDERGONE COMPLETE REAR SUBFRAME FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180823
Also filed under SUSPENSION
I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE BMW DEALER FOR A INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THE SUBFRAME/TRUNK FLOOR WAS CRACKING AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PUT MY CAR ON A VEHICLE LIFT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND ADVISED ME IT MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121009
HOOD SENSOR WILL INDICATE THAT HOOD IS CLOSE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL OPEN. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020805
10% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
BMW M 3 parked in the driveway and had been turned off for several hours I was wax the car when I noticed a puff of smoke coming out of the air condition vent so I sat in the driver seat to investigate out of habit I close the door I planed to open...
NHTSA ODI report, 20220926
SAFETY TIMELINE
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safe
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement p
Campaign 13V172000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014.
Campaign 14V428000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016.
Campaign 15V318000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017.
Campaign 17V047000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V018000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 BMW M3 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V172000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V428000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V318000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V047000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V018000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 BMW M3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 BMW M3 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW M3?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW M3 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.