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2002 BMW E36

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 7

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
200213
2003
Compare all E36 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
2Structure
2Electrical System
1Seat Belts
1Suspension
1
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2007
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 DEFECT. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CA…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10188521

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.