2003 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 489 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 17 involved a crash and 21 involved a fire. 26 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: air bags
158 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Apr 23, 2025
While I was driving the air bags went off.
Power train, Air bags, Structure, Jun 7, 2020, crash, fire
THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY HOUSE AND THE TRANSMISION STARTED SLIPPING AS WELL AS IT CATCHING AND BREAKING ONE OF THE AXLES LEAVING THE CAR TO BE STUCK NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE PERIOD SURELY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR GETTING HIT AND THE FUEL TANK EXPLODING MY AUNT WANT NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE CAR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND AGAIN THIS CAR DIDN'T ALLOW THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY THE LOCATION IS UNKOWN
Air bags, Dec 8, 2019
WENT THROUGH A POT HOLE IN THE FREEWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED..AIR BAG ONLY SHOW HALF FILL..MY SPEED ABOUT 60 MPH..IS THIS HOW IT WORKS. NO DAMAGED EXCEPT NEEDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
Air bags, Aug 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE (2111 W GROVE PKWY, PLEASANT GROVE, UT 84062, (801) 443-2000) WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *TT CONSUMER STATED HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE. *JB
Air bags, Jan 5, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF
Air bags, Apr 25, 2018
I HAD MY AIRBAGS REPLACED BUT THE MAN SITTING IN THE SEAT IS ON WITH A AIRBACK IN HIS LAP I WAS TOLD THAT THE MRS CONTROL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THE BAD AIRBAGS MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS ISSUE, I WANT TO KNOW IF BMW IS GOINN TO TAKE CARE OF THIS, BECAUSE NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WORK WITHOUT THE MRS MODULE I HAVE NO PROTECTION IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST BMW NEEDS TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST.
Air bags, Engine, Feb 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - CALL THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL AND WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A CALL WHEN THE PART FOR THE JOBS WAS RECEIVED. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 10, 2018
STALLING, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, DEAD BATTERIES, SWERVING
Air bags, Jan 22, 2018
THANK YOU VERY MUCH JO WHAT I DID TAKE CARE OF THE AIRBAG OR
Air bags, Dec 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WEATHERFORD BMW OF BERKELEY (735 ASHBY AVE, BERKELEY, CA 94710) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED ON 11/23/16. THE AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON AND WAS NEVER RESET BY THE DEALER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE. TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT IS UNRESOLVED, STILL ON
Air bags, Dec 12, 2017
I HAVE HAD BOTH AIR BAGS REPLACED AD THE AIRBAG MAN DOES NOT GO OFF I WAS TOLD THAT THE MRS CONTROL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WILL WORK UNTIL THE MRS CONTROL UNIT IS REPLACED. I WANT TO KNOW IS BMW GOING TO REPLACE THE UNIT I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MISHAP CAUSED THE MRS CONTROL UNIT TO GO BAD.
Air bags, Nov 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE CURB AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MOMENTUM BMW, 10002 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX, 855-645-6452). THE AIR BAG WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; THEREFORE, THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN FOR FREE. THE AIR BAG WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A TAKATA SETTLEMENT NOTICE AND WAS REFERRED TO 833-619-7579. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2017
I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE THROUGH A FORM I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL "AIRBAGRECALL" AND MY VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL. BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL, I TRIED TO CALL THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL, AND THEY COULDN'T HELP ME.
Air bags, Nov 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF FAILED AND CAUSED WATER OT ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONCERNED THAT THE WATER WOULD DAMAGE THE CARPET, DASHBOARD, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGONOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. CONSUMER PUT IN NEW ENGINE. NEW RUG IS MESSED UP NOW BECAUSE OF SUNROOF LEAKS. UPDATED 9/13/18*JB
Air bags, Sep 20, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A STROKE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THAT METAL FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE MOUTH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE MOUTH AND LOST A TOOTH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2017
HI I HAVE TWO BMW'S THAT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. I LEARNED ABOUT IT 6 WEEKS AGO. MY FIANC AND I HAVNT BEEN ABLE TO USE OUR VEHICLES IN ALMOST 2 MONTHS! I EVEN CALLED AND WENT TO THE BMW OF AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD ORDER THE AIR BAG FOR THE ONE AND OUR SECOND CAR THEY WOULD WRITE THE ORDER UP WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP . NEEDLESS TO SAY I EVEN BROUGHT OVER A DEALERSHIP MEMO FROM BMW BECAUSE I WORK IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND HAVE ACESSS TO IDENTIFIX.COM, I SHOWED THEM THE NOTICE WHERE THEY HAVE TO GIVE CUSTOMERS LOANER VEHICLES OR PAY UP TO $68 A DAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. THEY KEEP IGNORING MY CALLS.
Air bags, Sep 6, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION IN JUNE OF 2016. THE DEALER (BMW OF EL PASO, 6318 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX, 79925) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR, AND THAT THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THEY HAD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2017
THIS RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS IN MY BMW IS AFFECTING HOW I GET TO WORK EVERYDAY, I DON'T DARE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK SO I AM RELIYING ON OTHERS TO GET ME TO WORK AND I AM OFTEN LATE TO WORK BECAUSE OF THIS, WHICH IS GETTING ME IN TROUBLE AT MY JOB. I AM AT RISK OF LOSING MY JOB AT THIS POINT.
Air bags, Aug 14, 2017
TAKATA RECALL -
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jul 19, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MALFUNCTIONED BY BLINKING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN USE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE HIXSON BMW AND WALKER BMW DEALERS WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, May 10, 2017, crash
TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON 05/05/2017. I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS HIT SO HARD THAT I WAS DRIVEN INTO AN AUTOMOBILE THAT WAS WAITING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO MAKE A TURN. BOTH SIDES OF MY AUTOMOBILE WERE DAMAGED. THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD TAKEN THE AUTOMOBILE TO THE DEALER WHEN I RECEIVED THE AIR BAG RECALL APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO.
Air bags, Feb 5, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. AFTER CONTACTING BMW NEAREST DEALER THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. THEY TOOK MY CAR INFORMATION AND SAID WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVE THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK.
Air bags, Jan 6, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 21, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.