2002 BMW E36
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 2002 BMW E36. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2002 BMW E36. Newest first.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Remedy
Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. the recall began on august 1, 2006. owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
Owner complaints
7 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure · Visibility › Windshield
The windshield molding IS susceptible to breaking up and the whole windshield has to be removed to reinstall the molding. Pretty bizarre for such an expensive car. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 BMW E36. while idling at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. the contact crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. the dealer did not inspect the vehicle. approximately eight months later, while driving in reverse and with…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 BMW E36. while idling at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. the contact crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. the dealer did not inspect the vehicle. approximately eight months later, while driving in reverse and with the brake pedal depressed, the engine rpm's increased to 750. the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. the current mileage IS 89,950 and failure mileage was 89,000.
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
BMW 325xi 2002 bought used in mint condition with 60000 miles drivetrain vibration related to transfer case output bearing. BMW international said that was too bad, but not concernd at the failure. Expected as that year had problems with transfer case bearings. *ak
- Electrical system
I am leasing a 2002 BMW 745li . I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. The car has gone to the BMW service center a total of 33 times for service mechanical & electrical problems. A few times car has broken down while driving and needed to be towed. This vehicle IS a manufacturer…
I am leasing a 2002 BMW 745li . I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. The car has gone to the BMW service center a total of 33 times for service mechanical & electrical problems. A few times car has broken down while driving and needed to be towed. This vehicle IS a manufacturer defect. I feel very unsafe in this car. I have contacted BMW of north america via phone, emails, and letters, they seem not to care? The service manager at the dealer ship told me that this BMW model year has been nothing but headaches and problems for them. I fear for the well being of my family when they enter this vehicle. The car shuts off while driving. This model has had so many problems that BMW of north america extended the warranty on the car from its original manufacturer's warranty. I am paying for a piece of metal! This vehicle IS one problem after another. I demand that BMW of north america stand by its product and purchase this vehicle back from me. The manufacturer (BMW of north of america) built a product that has defects. Their own technicians cannot fix this vehicle. I have taken this vehicle to 4 different BMW service centers. I have complete records. Again I demand BMW of north america to relieve me from this vehicle! *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
After 100,000+ miles of normal operation the 2002, BMW X5 4.4 began exhibiting unusual transmission operation. at random times, during start up, the transmission shifted to neutral, allowing the engine to rev very high, then engage in 1ST, causing an abrupt lurch forward. also, it will…
After 100,000+ miles of normal operation the 2002, BMW X5 4.4 began exhibiting unusual transmission operation. at random times, during start up, the transmission shifted to neutral, allowing the engine to rev very high, then engage in 1ST, causing an abrupt lurch forward. also, it will experience this disengagement sometimes when down shifting into passing gear, causing the engine to rev, and a loss of forward motion, and then an abrupt engagement, resulting in a major lurch forward. this was a major safety issue, as you cannot be certain the transmission will engage or disengage when pulling into traffic or performing passing maneuvers. after researching this problem there IS considerable information about this on the internet as it IS a common problem ,and has been identified now for more than 3 years. it IS related to zf supplied transmissions on BMW and jaguar vehicles, and IS attributed to the controlling software the BMW dealer suggested I replace the transmission at a cost of $7,600 , and has not indicated a willingness to explore software solutions or admit any common problem existed. reports on the internet indicated that sometimes a software update will cure this problem, and sometimes not, as it occurred in both old and new vehicles. as an expert in this field, I am still conducting my own analysis, but am coming to the conclusion that this IS a BMW and zf problem that needs further investigation by nhtsa as a critical safety hazard in the affected vehicles. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members · Suspension › Rear
I was hearing noises coming from the rear of the car took it into BMW, and they said the rear subframe was cracking. Then they proceeded to tell me that there was nothing they could do! Also the rear control arm bushing are bad which was caused by the rear or in reverse! *nm
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The buckle assembly that the driver's side seat belt buckle IS inserted into doesn't hold the buckle any longer. the driver's side seat belt IS no longer usable. the part IS to be replaced by the local BMW dealer (not under warranty), who will have the old part. *jb
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10245363When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customers key, the data is not updated or current.
- 10200242Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130BMW 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.
Every BMW E36 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.