Vehicle report

2002 BMW 3 SERIES

Compare every BMW 3 SERIES yearNHTSA and EPA records

Service bulletins

54 bulletins

Technical service bulletins are instructions a manufacturer sent its dealers about a known fault. They are not recalls and the work is usually not free, but they are the clearest signal of a problem the manufacturer already knows about.

B063026

Other

Starter Return

B510819

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

SIB-12-21-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE CRANKS WITH NO START. *RM UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE

SIB-65-14-14

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SOME AIRBAGS, DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER, ARE IMPROPERLY DEPLOYING DUE TO A POSSIBLE INFLATOR NOT PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATIONS. MODEL 2001-2006 E46 (3 SERIES). *PE UPDATED 9/4/14. *PE

SIB-61-37-12

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: THE HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) BATTERY CELLS COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING SLEEP MODE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS

SIB122512

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: VEHICLE DOES NOT START: LOOSE GROUND Z6000 *4B. COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW NEW VEHICLE/SAV LIMITED WARRANTY. *JS

SIB270212

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS

SIB-11-02-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (MIL) LAMP IS ILLUMINATED AND A POWER REDUCTION IS CLEARLY PERCEPTIBLE. THIS SITUATION MAY OCCUR AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME WITH THE ENGINE ALREADY AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IF THE IGNITION IS CYCLED, THE ENGINE THEN USUALLY PERFORMS NORMALLY. *PE UPDATED 2/7/11. *PE UPDATED ON 06/09/2011. *KB UPDATED 8/10/11. *PE UPDATED 1/11/13. *PE

B63-03-12

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO FEBRUARY 27,2012. *JS

SI-B12-28-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAS ENTERED THE ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE AND THAT THE TURBOCHARGER BOOST IS REDUCED. E82, E88, E90, E92, E93, E60, E61, AND E71. ALL MODELS WITH NAY ENGINES. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 09/30/11. *PE

SIB-63-03-11

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: WIRING ON THE HEADLIGHTS MAY HAVE DETERIORATED DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND THE COVER NOT BEING SECURED PROPERLY. E60/E92. *RM UPDATED 9/30/11. *PE

SIB-65-75-06

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP (AWL) IS ILLUMINATED, TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP (POL). THE PROBLEM MAY BE INTERMITTENT. MICROCRACKS IN THE OC3 SEAT MAT. *PE UPDATED 9/30/11. *PE

SIB-72-01-11

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: E92. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ON THE FRONT DRIVER¿S OR PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DELIVER THE BELT. THE SAFETY BELT EXTENDER EXTENDS BUT THE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE ¿HAND¿ ON THE EXTENDER FAILS. THE SAFETY BELT IS TWISTED. THE EXTENDER WILL NOT OPERATE AND MAKES NOISE WHILE EXTENDING. *RM

SIB-12-15-11

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THERE ARE TROUBLE CODES STORED FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. *RM

SIB-61-01-11

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING INCLUDING: INSTRUMENTS, DOOR LOCKS, WIPERS, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. THERE MAY ALSO BE WARNING LIGHTS ON. K-CAN WIRING IN THE VEHICLE SHORTED. *RM UPDATED 10/5/11. *PE

SIB-23-01-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED REGARDING TRANSMISSION CONCERNS. *RM

SIB-72-05-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IS CAUSING ONE OR BOTH OF THE SEAT BELT ASSISTANTS TO NOT EXTEND FULLY OR MAY NOT EXTEND AT ALL. THE POSITION AT WHICH THE ASSISTANT COMES TO REST VARIES. E92. *RM

SIB-72-28-06

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: THE END OF THE SEATBELT ASSISTANT BREAKS/FALLS OFF WHEN RETRACTING. THE RETAINING TAB IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH. E92. *RM

SIB-12-16-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: A SOFTWARE ERROR IS CAUSING THE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THERE WILL BE STORED TROUBLE CODES. *RM

SIB-63-02-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: REAR BULB FAILURE. THE BULB OUT WARNING SHOWS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DIAGNOSIS SHOWS A FAULT FOR THE REAR LAMP. THE BULB OUT CAN BE DISPLAYED FOR 2 POSSIBLE CAUSES: POOR FIT BETWEEN THE BULB AND BULB HOLDER; BULB FAILURE CAUSED BY VIBRATION. *PE

SIB-72-01-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: FRONT SAFETY BELT DOES NOT RETRACT SMOOTHLY OR JAMS. THE UPPER PART OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S FRONT SAFETY BELT DOES NOT ROLL UP FULLY OR ROLLS UP SLOWLY. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE INERTIA REEL IS INCORRECT AT THE FASTENING POINT. THE BELT IS TOUCHING THE GUIDE FUNNEL. MODELS E90, E91 AND E92. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SIB-65-36-09

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR. *RM

SIB-63-02-01

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

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

SIB-11-08-03

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SIX DIFFERENT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE M54 ENGINE COULD HAVE VALVE COVERS BREAK IN COLD WEATHER AND RUIN THE ENGINE. THIS IS DUE TO MOISTURE ACCUMULATION. *RM

SIB-11-02-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON WITH DIESEL ENGINES. *RM

SIB-13-02-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO PERFORM A FUEL QUALITY DETECTION TEST ON VEHICLES WITH AN N54 ENGINE. *RM

SIB-13-06-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. THE ENGINE WILL ONLY OPERATE TO 1500 RPMS AND LACKS POWER. THERE IS A SOFTWARE APPLICATION ERROR. *RM

SIB-13-07-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: THERE IS A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL IN HIGH ALTITUDES DURING COLD WEATHER. THERE MAY BE SIX DIFFERENT FAULT CODES. *RM

SIB-16-03-10

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: WARNING MESSAGE ON ABOUT LOW DIESEL EXHAUST FUEL LEVEL AND THAT THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART WITHIN 999 MILES. THE LIGHT COMES ON A FEW THOUSAND MILES EARLIER THAN A RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. *RM

SIB-28-02-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS IS BEING USED ON MANY MODELS TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF DOUBLE-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *RM

SIB-32-04-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM

SIB-16-02-09

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

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 WELL. IN SOME CASES, EPC DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY IN THE ILLUSTRATION, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARTS DESCRIPTION. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SIB-51-19-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLES: DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON. *PE UPDATED1/4/10. *PE UPDATED 5/24/10. *PE

SIB-12-07-06

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ILLUMINATED-FC 23F4 MAP THERMOSTAT. IN SOME VEHICLES HAVE INSUFFICIENT HEAT. E90, E91 (3 SERIES), E60, E61 (5 SERIES) 3/06 AND E83 (X3 SERIES) 9/08. *PE

SIB-16-08-06

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLES: ENGINE CRANKS BUT DOES NOT START; FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYS A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FUEL, ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY; FAULT CODE 2A1C (FUEL LEVEL PLAUSIBILITY) IS STORED IN MSV80. RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DISLODGED FROM ITS BRACKET DUE TO INCORRECT ASSEMBLY. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 4/29/11. *PE

SIB-41-02-09

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLES: REAR AXLE CARRIER (SUB FRAME) SUPPORT PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, A FRACTURE IN THE STEEL BODY STRUCTURE COULD FORM IN THE AREA AROUND ONE OF THE REAR AXLE CARRIER MOUNTING POINTS. AS A RESULT, A DISTINCT CLICKING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE AREA OF THE REAR AXLE CARRIER DURING CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. MODEL E46 (3SERIES). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SI-28-02-09

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: COMPLAINT THAT THE N (NEUTRAL) SYMBOL IS BEING DISPLAYED IN THE KOMBI AND THE MESSAGE TRANSMISSION IN N, SHIFT TO P WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF IS DISPLAYED IN THE CC WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATES TO A STOP. IN REALTY, THE TRANSMISSION STAYS ENGAGED IN A FIRST OR SECOND GEAR AND DOES NOT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL, AS INDICATED BY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. E90, E92, E93 (3 SERIES) 2002-2009. *PE

SI-B61-16-09

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OR INTERMITTENTLY. SYMPTOMS TYPICALLY INCLUDE VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND STARTING PROBLEMS. AFFECTED MAY BE THE EKP (ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED FUEL PUMP), AND CONTROL MODULES ON THE PT CAN OR CONNECTED TO THE 15WUP (WAKE UP) LINE. FUSE F70 MAY BE BLOWN. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. E93 (3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE). *PE

SI-B64-05-09

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: WATER LEAKS INTO EITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE FOOTWELL DURING FAST CORNERING. INSUFFICIENT SEALING AT THE POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND THE CONDENSATION DRAIN HOSE. *PE

SI-B-34-11-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLES: TEILECLEARING FOR DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC). A PART REPLACEMENT AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED BY SUBMITTING A TC CASE IN PUMA BEFORE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DSC COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED IN THE MODEL SECTION OF THIS BULLETIN: DSC CONTROL MODULE, DSC HYDRO UNIT, AND YAW RATE SENSOR. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SIB-12-12-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SERVICE ENGINE LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. DME FC 2A15 MINOR LEAK AND 2A16 SUPERFINE LEAK IN EVAPORATION SYSTEM. TANK VENTILATION CORRUGATED HOSE MAY CONTACT THE LOW SIDE AIR CONDITIONING PRESSURE LINE ALUMINUM FERREL. THIS CONTACT MAY CAUSE A SMALL LEAK. *PE

SI B52 05 08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: SEAT FRAME DESIGN CHANGED FOR 392 (3 SERIES COUPE) PRODUCED UP TO MAY 2007. ON EARLY PRODUCTION E92S, THE SOCKET WHICH SECURES THE SEAT BACKREST RELEASE CABLE TO THE RELEASE MECHANISM COULD PULL FREE FROM THE RELEASE MECHANISM. *PE

SI B63-04-08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: HEADLAMP MOISTURE: FAULT DIAGNOSTICS. WATER OR CONDENSATION IN ONE OR BOTH HEADLAMPS. MODELS 5 SERIES, 6 SERIES, 7 SERIES, X5, X6, 1 SERIES, AND 3 SERIES. MODEL YEARS 2000-20008. *PE

SI B63 02 08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

REAR BULB FAILURE. MODEL E92 (3 SERIES COUPE) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 21, 2008 ARE AFFECTED. THE BULB OUT WARNING SHOWS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE

SI B11 13 07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND 335XI; E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES) 535I AND 535XI, ALL WITH N54 ENGINE FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION TO JANUARY 17, 2008 PRODUCTION. *PE

SI B12 01 08

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

N52 EDK THROTTLE JAMMING FAULTS 2D09, 2CED AND 2CEC. MODEL E90 AND E91 (3 SERIES) AND E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES), ALL MODELS UP TO 11/2005 WITH N52 ENGINE. *PE

SIB-16-01-06

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIR PROCEDURE. THE CASE WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SIB-11-14-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: N54 TURBOCHARGER WASTE GATE CONTROL NOISES AND OPERATION. AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE, A SLIGHT RATTLE NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS NOISE IS SIMILAR TO A MECHANICAL TYPEWRITER. IN ADDITION, THE COMPLAINTS OF A SLIGHT REDUCTION OF POWER SIMILAR TO AN INCREASED TURBO LAG. THE VACUUM SUPPLY TO THE WASTE GATES MAY BE RESTRICTED OR BLOCKED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SIB-12-20-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: M54/M56-MIXTURE TOO LEAN-FAULT CODES 2882/2883 ARE STORED IN THE DME. COMPLAINTS THAT SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. THE FAULT CODES 2882/2883-FUEL TRIM, MIXTURE TOO LEAN ARE STORED IN THE DME. POSSIBLE CAUSES MAY INCLUDE-INCORRECT AIR FILTER, UNMETERED AIR OR A DEFECTIVE AIR MASS METER. *PE

SIB-12-24-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: S54-CATALYST PROTECTION MODE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS LOW ON FUEL. COMPLAINTS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION. FUEL RESERVE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL LEVEL, WHEN MEASURED WITH THE SERVICE TESTER, IS BELOW 10 LITERS. WITH THE FUEL LEVEL LOW AND UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS (HEAVY ACCELERATION, CORNERING OR RACING), THE FUEL SUPPLY MAY BE INADEQUATE, CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT LEAN MIXTURE TO BE RECORDED BY ALL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS. *PE

SIB-22-01-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLE: NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/RIGHT SIDE. A GRINDING OR SCRAPING NOISE MAY BE HEARD WHILE CORNERING AT VEHICLE SPEEDS UP TO 30 MPH. THE NOISE IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE WARM UP PHASE AND MAY CHANGE INTENSITY DURING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE SUPPORT IS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE MOUNT. *PE

SIB-34-078-07

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

BMW VEHICLES: DSC DISABLING FUNCTION. DSC OFF FUNCTION HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN M5 AND M6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

630306

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

POOR CONNECTION AT REAR LAMP CONNECTOR. BMW. MODEL E46. *KB MODEL E46 (3 SERIES). UPDATE 8/8/2008. *PE

120405

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND/OR VEHICLE OVERHEATS. BMW E90 (3 SERIES) ALL E90 (3 SERIES) AND E60 (5 SERIES) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH N52 ENGINE. *TT

Reading this report

Complaint counts are reports filed with NHTSA, not failure rates. A common model collects more of them than a rare one that breaks more often.