BMW 3 Series, 5 Series Recall R/2002/025: Possible Detachment Of Ball Bearing From Front Suspension Strut Top Mounting, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Book soon
- How serious
- 22 Feb 2002
- Launched
- 2,023
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2002/025
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series, 5 Series vehicles built between 6 November 2001 and 20 November 2001. The ball bearing in the front suspension strut top mounting may not have been securely fitted. The dealer will replace both front suspension strut mounts. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The ball bearing in the front suspension strut top mounting may not have been securely fitted. If the weight of the car is taken off of the road wheel for any reason the bearing may became displaced with a risk of personal injury or damage to the suspension.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBLE DETACHMENT OF BALL BEARING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION STRUT TOP MOUNTING Defect: It is possible that the ball bearing in the front suspension strut top mounting may not have been securely fitted. If the weight of the car is taken off of the road wheel for any reason the bearing may became displaced with a risk of personal injury or damage to the suspension. Remedy: Replace both front suspension strut mounts.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: possible detachment of ball bearing from front suspension strut top mounting.
The Fix
The dealer will replace both front suspension strut mounts.
Are You Affected?
3 Series, 5 Series built between 6 November 2001 and 20 November 2001 may be included. BMW estimates 2,023 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2002/025. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, 7 Series, 7 Series - High Security and 2 moreChecking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness | Urgent | R/2026/092 | |
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series and 3 moreReplace the driver’s airbag: takata PSDI-5 | Urgent | R/2025/327 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 5 SeriesProgram control units (CoC documents) | Low | R/2026/075 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2002/012 on 31 Jan 2002, for engine cooling fan may fail. The one launched after it was R/2002/026 on 4 Mar 2002, for front suspension lower arm may detach. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2002 and suspension recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2002/025, launched 22 February 2002. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.