2002 BMW M3

These recalls apply to the make, model, and year of your car – and should be fixed as soon as possible.

5 Recalls for 2002 BMW M3

Recall Date Component Summary
2020-01-15 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

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.

2017-01-20 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Remedy:

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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2015-05-28 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

2014-07-16 AIR BAGS

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 Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Remedy:

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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

2013-05-03 AIR BAGS

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 safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Remedy:

BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

These are complaints about vehicles like yours and some can only be found here. Do they sound familiar?

1 Complaints sent to the Center for Auto Safety for 2002 BMW M3

skip to NHTSA complaints

Date Component  
2022-03-27 engine

38 Complaints submitted to NHTSA for 2002 BMW M3

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Date Component  
2021-02-19 AIR BAGS
ODI Number: 11397063
2020-07-15 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ODI Number: 11339459
2016-11-25 AIR BAGS
ODI Number: 10927889
2018-08-23 STRUCTURE:BODY | SUSPENSION
ODI Number: 11121830
2017-08-19 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODI Number: 11016342
2015-03-02 AIR BAGS
ODI Number: 10691544
2015-01-08 AIR BAGS
ODI Number: 10671005
2014-06-17 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ENGINE | POWER TRAIN
ODI Number: 10598930
2012-10-09 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | SUSPENSION
ODI Number: 10479377
2012-08-10 POWER TRAIN
ODI Number: 10470150
2012-03-21 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ODI Number: 10452496
2011-12-27 POWER TRAIN
ODI Number: 10441289
2011-10-14 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ODI Number: 10430221
2011-09-16 EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ODI Number: 10425786
2011-06-18 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ODI Number: 10407375
2011-05-15 SUSPENSION
ODI Number: 10401828
2011-03-01 VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
ODI Number: 10386028
2010-07-21 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ODI Number: 10344604
2010-06-14 VISIBILITY
ODI Number: 10336211
2008-07-01 STRUCTURE:BODY | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | SUSPENSION:REAR
ODI Number: 10232969
2006-03-05 TIRES
ODI Number: 10151805
2005-11-03 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ODI Number: 10141672
2005-08-27 AIR BAGS
ODI Number: 10134382
2005-06-01 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ODI Number: 10123825
2004-01-30 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ODI Number: 10056196
2003-08-05 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ODI Number: 10032123
2003-08-09 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ODI Number: 10031136
2003-06-06 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ODI Number: 10022599
2003-04-29 POWER TRAIN
ODI Number: 10016725
2002-10-02 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ODI Number: 10006959
2002-08-05 STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
ODI Number: 8015533
2002-04-09 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ODI Number: 8007127
2002-01-16 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ODI Number: 8002288
2002-09-19 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ODI Number: 767428
2002-09-19 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ODI Number: 767419
2002-09-14 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ODI Number: 767173
2002-10-30 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ODI Number: 769078
2002-10-02 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ODI Number: 768005
Is the government investigating the safety of your vehicle? Find out here.

9 Investigations for 2002 BMW M3

Date Opened Date Closed Component  
2009-08-07 2009-12-22 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2009-08-07 2009-12-22 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
2009-08-07 2009-12-22 EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2009-08-07 2009-12-22 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2009-04-08 2009-08-06 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2009-04-08 2009-08-06 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
2009-04-08 2009-08-06 EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2009-04-08 2009-08-06 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2009-04-08 2009-08-06 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Manufacturers tell dealers about repairs for on your car. But they won’t tell you – unless you know to ask. Knowledge is power.

23 Service Alerts for 2002 BMW M3

Date Description
2021-04-01 011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degree

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2021-04-01 045000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degree

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2020-11-01 141000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SERVICE ACTION – HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2020-11-01 350000 EQUIPMENT

SERVICE ACTION – HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2020-11-01 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

SERVICE ACTION – HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2019-04-01 140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2019-04-01 140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2018-02-01 140000 AIR BAGS

In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2019-01-01 140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2019-01-01 140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2014-12-01 030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles. INFORMATION 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less tha

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2015-09-01 030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 04 14 dated December 2014. Designates changes to the bulletin. INFORMATION 1.Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses d

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2015-09-01 034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 04 14 dated December 2014. Designates changes to the bulletin. INFORMATION 1.Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses d

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2014-06-01 140000 AIR BAGS

Special Technical Campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged vehicle manufacturers to conduct an investigation into air bags which may not deploy correctly. BMW is cooperating with this request. Takata is

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2018-07-01 030000 BRAKES (PWS)

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles:

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2011-07-01 022520 SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2006-02-01 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BREMI IGNITION COIL REPLACEMENT ON S54 ENGINE. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SI120803 DATED MAY 2004. *EH *SC

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2009-08-01 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK RELEASE COUPLINGS FOR THE COOLANT HOSES MAY NOT BE LOCKED CORRECTLY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A COOLANT LEAK. MODELS AFFECTED ARE M3 SEDAN (E

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2009-08-01 062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK RELEASE COUPLINGS FOR THE COOLANT HOSES MAY NOT BE LOCKED CORRECTLY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A COOLANT LEAK. MODELS AFFECTED ARE M3 SEDAN (E

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2010-08-01 120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2009-12-01 072100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WEL

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2009-04-01 063100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

BMW: AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THE DME PROGRAMMING MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MODEL E46 (M3) COUPE AND CONVERTIBLES. *PE

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2009-04-01 063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

BMW: AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THE DME PROGRAMMING MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MODEL E46 (M3) COUPE AND CONVERTIBLES. *PE

Click to view a copy of the full alert on NHTSA's website (select "Manufacturer Communication")

2002 BMW M3

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