2002 BMW 7 Series recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
What could happen: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 7 SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V446000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Summary: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2002 BMW 7 Series owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (26), Airbags (21), Brakes (20), Electrical system (18), Engine (16).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/26/2020 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SBSR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BA…
02/24/2020 · Engine
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SOMEONE IN CASH. IT HAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES. WHEN ITS SITTING AND IDLING FOR A WHILE IT SMOKES TERRIBLY.
08/12/2019 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT CIRCULATE COOLANT TO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO MIS…
04/26/2019 · Electrical system · crash
CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT TOWED HOME THEN TO A BMW DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY CASS WENT OUT…
09/21/2018 · Electrical system
I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA JUST RECENTLY REGARDING THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM SINCE WE KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE GOT IT NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PURCHASED THIS CAR BACK FROM ME SINCE ALL I HAD IS MONEY LOSSES AND AGGRAVATION WITH THIS VEHICLE.
05/22/2018 · Electrical system
WE HAVE BEING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THIS CAR, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL BE FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DIES COMPLETLY LEAVING YOU STRANDED, THE CAR WILL CRANK OVER AND WONT START. WE HAVE TAKING TO THE SHOP AND WE HAVE EMAILS FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND THEY ADVICE THE REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND…
12/12/2017 · Airbags
AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER
07/26/2016 · Airbags
THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR HAS NOT TIGHTENING TENSION. THE RED LIGHTS ARE ON INDICATING THAT, FAULT IN PASS. - RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS.