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 | 8 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
15% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA ODI report, 20231013
13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.
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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
13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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
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 air bags issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 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 air bags, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW M3 have?
5 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.