2002 BMW M3 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2002 BMW M3 has 0 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to air bag system safety defects that have resulted in multiple recalls affecting both passenger and driver airbags.
The recalls involve a total of five separate campaigns addressing defects primarily in the air bag inflators. These defects pose a risk of inflator rupture due to excessive internal pressure or propellant degradation. Several of the recalls advise owners not to drive the vehicle until repairs are made.
Recalls- Passenger air bag inflator rupture. NHTSA recall 13V172000 affects 43,204 vehicles including the 2002 M3. The passenger side frontal air bag inflator may rupture upon deployment due to excessive internal pressure. This could cause metal fragments to hit passengers, potentially causing serious injury. Owners are advised not to drive affected vehicles until repairs are completed. Owners are notified by BMW and repairs involve free replacement of the air bag.
- Passenger air bag excessive pressure. Recall 14V428000 covers 574,007 vehicles including the 2002 M3. It addresses a similar defect with the passenger frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to excessive internal pressure during deployment. Metal fragments may seriously injure occupants. The recall instructs owners not to drive the vehicles until repair and provides free replacement of the air bag module.
- Driver air bag inflator rupture from moisture. Recall 15V318000 involves 419,235 vehicles with dual-stage driver frontal airbags. Moisture intrusion can cause inflator rupture when deployed, leading to metal fragments striking occupants and possibly causing serious injury or death. Owners are advised to not drive the vehicle until remediation and BMW will replace the driver air bag module at no charge.
- Passenger side inflator explosion risk. Recall 20V018000 affects 292,948 vehicles with non-desiccated Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators used as interim remedy parts. Propellant degradation from high humidity and temperature exposure may cause inflator explosions sending metal fragments into occupants. BMW notifies owners to schedule free passenger air bag replacement but does not advise not driving the vehicle.
- Driver air bag inflator rupture from replacement modules. Recall 17V047000 covers 230,117 vehicles including the 2002 M3. It addresses driver side air bag modules installed as replacement parts potentially containing defective inflators that may rupture due to propellant degradation. Owners must not drive the vehicle until repaired. BMW inspects and replaces affected air bag modules free of charge.
Owners who encounter repeated repairs or unresolved recall issues related to these air bag defects may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting with an attorney specializing in automotive safety and consumer protection can provide guidance on potential claims.
2002 BMW M3 Summary
2002
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
1559511
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2002 BMW M3
292948 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2002 BMW M3
230117 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: In 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 resulting in serious injury or death.
2002 BMW M3
419235 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: In 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 resulting in serious injury or death.
2002 BMW M3
574007 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: In 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 fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
2002 BMW M3
43204 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: In 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 injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Complaints
No complaints found.