The 2002 BMW E36 has 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (2 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints7filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E060000 · Jun 29, 2006 · 87,745 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Frame and members
2
0
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension Rear
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
1
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 28, 2006Structure 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
May 1, 2006 · 89,000 miles · crashVehicle 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 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.
Jan 7, 2007 · 58,000 milesPower 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
Apr 18, 2007Electrical 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 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…
Apr 7, 2007 · 100,955 milesPower 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 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…
Nov 20, 2006Structure › Frame and members 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
Jul 16, 2006 · 87,095 milesSeat 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.