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 5 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 →
Equipment. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
67,000 miles · Nov 15, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW M ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS AND WAS SLIGHTLY SEPARATED. THE DEFECT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW M ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS AND WAS SLIGHTLY SEPARATED. THE DEFECT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #10484839
21,280 miles · Jan 29, 2006
Power Train
REAR DIFFERENTIAL SIMPLY DROPPED WHILE DRIVING. IT AND THE SUBFRAME HAVE TORN UP REAR SHEET METAL UNDER THE TRUNK. I HAVE A REPAIR IN PROGRESS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148924
18,000 miles · Oct 28, 2005
Structure
2002 BMW M ROADSTER TRUNK CROSSMEMBER (SUPPORTS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL) SEPARATING FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. SPOT WELDS PULLED OUT. DANGER OF THE WHOLE CROSSMEMBER SEPARATING FROM THE CHASSIS. CORRECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT IN TOLEDO, OH. CROSSMEMBER REINFORCED BY AN INTERNAL I-BEAM, WELDED TO NEW CUSTOM-FABRICATED SUPPORTS ON …
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2002 BMW M ROADSTER TRUNK CROSSMEMBER (SUPPORTS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL) SEPARATING FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. SPOT WELDS PULLED OUT. DANGER OF THE WHOLE CROSSMEMBER SEPARATING FROM THE CHASSIS. CORRECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT IN TOLEDO, OH. CROSSMEMBER REINFORCED BY AN INTERNAL I-BEAM, WELDED TO NEW CUSTOM-FABRICATED SUPPORTS ON THE LONGITUDINAL RAILS. THE OEM CROSSMEMBER IS NOW MERELY COSMETIC. DIFFERENTIAL COVER REPLACED BY ONE WITH A PAIR OF MOUNTS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE TO DISTRIBUTE LOAD. VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. JB
NHTSA ODI #10141099
45,000 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Power Train
THE REAR-SUBFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM THE TRUNK IN MY CAR. AS A RESULT, THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAS CRACKED AND THERE IS THE RISK OF THE DIFFERENTIAL TOTALLY SEPARATING FROM THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10133487
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
EquipmentUnknown Or Other
SPEEDOMETER ON NEW VEHICLE READS EXCESSIVLY HIGH (7 MPH AT 65 MPH). THERE WAS NOSPECIFIC INCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY STANDARDS REGARDING THIS, AS MANUFACTURER SAYS THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE ERROR. DATE BELOW IS ENTERED FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
NHTSA ODI #10000019
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.
2002 BMW M Roadster Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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