Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data
2002 BMW 3 Series recalls
Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2002 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.
Recall summary by component10
NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h| Component | Campaigns | Park‑it |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | – |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | – |
| Service brakes, air | 1 | – |
| Suspension | 1 | – |
Safety recalls10
NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h| Jan 15, 202020V018000 | Air bags: frontal passenger sideAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 20V018000
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| Oct 2, 201919V698000 | Air bags: frontal driver sideAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 19V698000
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| Jun 11, 201814V428000 | Air bagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 14V428000
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| Jan 20, 201717V047000 | Air bags: frontal driver sideIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 17V047000
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| May 28, 201515V318000 | Air bags: frontal driver sideIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 15V318000
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| May 2, 201313V172000 | Air bagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 13V172000
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Merged from NHTSA model names: 320i, 323ci, 323i, 323it, 325ci, 325i, 325it, 325xi, 325xit, 328ci, 328i, 330ci, 330i, 330xi, 323, 325, 330, 320. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.
Owner complaints by component442
NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h| Component | Complaints | % |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 151 | 34 |
| Exterior lighting | 76 | 17 |
| Electrical system | 68 | 15 |
| Engine | 27 | 6 |
| Visibility | 26 | 6 |
| Power train | 25 | 6 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 5 |
| Suspension | 19 | 4 |
| Tires | 18 | 4 |
| Steering | 17 | 4 |
| Structure | 13 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 3 |
| Equipment | 9 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 2 |
11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.
Latest reports
- Air bags
“The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325CI. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V318000 (Air Bags) and 13V172000 (Air Bags).”
- Air bags
“I brought my 325ci into BMW Buena Park to have an airbag recall completed. There were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled…”
- Engine
“The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that upon exiting the store, he observed fire emerging from the driver's side dashboard. The vehicle spontaneously combusted and was engulfed in flames.”
Other BMW 3 Series model years
- 200613 recalls1,243 complaints
- 20054 recalls227 complaints
- 20044 recalls554 complaints
- 20037 recalls475 complaints
- 20029 recalls427 complaints
- 20019 recalls530 complaints
- 20009 recalls692 complaints
All years: 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000
Other BMW models
- 2002 X54 recalls102 complaints
- 2002 5 Series5 recalls92 complaints
- 2002 7 Series3 recalls94 complaints
- 2002 M35 recalls40 complaints
- 2002 M52 recalls6 complaints
- 2004 X31 recall138 complaints
- 2003 Z44 recalls414 complaints
- 2008 X69 recalls5 complaints
- 2013 X15 recalls102 complaints
- 2019 X711 recalls48 complaints
- 2008 1 Series8 recalls87 complaints
- 2014 4 Series6 recalls69 complaints
2002 BMW 3 Series recall questions
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns for the 2002 BMW 3 Series. The most recent, 20V018000 (reported January 15, 2020), concerns air bags. 6 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.
What are the 2002 BMW 3 Series recalls for?
The largest group is air bags, with 6 campaigns. Others: exterior lighting (1), service brakes, hydraulic (1), service brakes, air (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 BMW 3 Series?
Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 151 complaints out of 442 filed with NHTSA (34%). Across all complaints, owners reported 18 crashs and 31 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How do I check if a recall is open on my 2002 BMW 3 Series?
Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.
Check a specific BMW by VIN
Need the factory options too? See the BMW build sheet & window sticker guide.