2002 Bmw E36 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
88,048 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 7 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Suspension:Rear: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
2006: 2; 2007: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10188139 · 2007-04-17 (April 17, 2007)
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 CERT…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,955 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10194899 · 2007-06-28 (June 28, 2007)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188521 · 2007-04-22 (April 22, 2007)
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 TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10188521 at NHTSA ↗