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, Mar 8, 2016
PURCHASE A 2003 BMW 325I ON 11-18-2016 . UNABLE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER DUE TO THE OUTSTANDING TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. THE DEALER IS NOT A BMW STORE AND I DON'T BLAME THEM FOR LETTING A CUSTOMER GET INTO A UNSAFE VEHICLE. BMW IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THE REPAIR OF THESE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 1, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL? WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL FOR AN AIRBAG PROBLEM IN JULY 2015. WE CONTACTED OUR DEALER COAST BMW NISSAN AT 12100 LOS OSOS VALLEY RD. SAN LUIS OBISPO CA, 93401 (TEL. 805 543-4423) SEVERAL TIMES AND WERE TOLD THEY WERE WAITING FOR PARTS AND WOULD CALL US WHEN THEY WERE AVAILABLE. WE HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AND BELIEVE THEY ARE NEGLECTING THEIR OBLIGATION IN THIS MATTER. WE FEAR OUR SAFETY IS AT RISK.
Air bags, Feb 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. 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.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE JUNE 2105, DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED PARTS. CAR WAS ORIGINALLY A CALIFORNIA CAR, IN NORTH CAROLINA SINCE 2015. WHEN WILL PARTS BE AVAILABLE?
Air bags, Feb 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V3180000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ
Air bags, Feb 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WERE RECEIVED IN 2014. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ UPDATED 04/12/16.*JB
Air bags, Jan 20, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - IT'S BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE TAKATA RECALL WAS EXPANDED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE ON MY CAR & THERE'S STILL NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE IT'S OVER A YEAR & A HALF SINCE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL BEGAN. THE COMPANY REFUSES TO SIMPLY DISCONNECT THE POTENTIALLY DEADLY AIRBAG. NOTE, AUTOS HAVE NOT HAD AIRBAGS MUCH LONGER THAN THEY HAVE HAD THEM - AND MINE IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY. I HAVE ASKED FOR A "LOANER CAR" BUT HAVE NOT YET HEARD THEIR RESPONSE. TO ME, NO ACTION WITHOUT A TIMELINE TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM IS RIDICULOUS AND COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jan 15, 2016
I HAVE BEEN ON HOLD SINCE THE FALL OF 2014 ON A DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. THE DEALER HAS NO INVENTORY AND NO ETA. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. DODGE CHANGED MY AIRBAG (ALSO TAKATA) WITHIN 10 DAYS OF MY RECALL NOTICE. IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF WITH BMW. PENALIZE THEM LIKE YOU DID FCA
Air bags, Jan 12, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - 15V318 IT HAS BEEN JUST OVER 7 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW FOR THE DRIVERS-SIDE AIRBAG RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST SINCE IT CAME OUT, BUT THERE ARE STILL NO AVAILABLE PARTS. THERE ALSO IS NO INTERIM REMEDY. AT THIS POINT, I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF METAL FRAGMENTS COMING THROUGH THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG. THIS HAS CAUSED A LOT OF ISSUES WITH MY HOUSEHOLD, AND IS CAUSING UN-DUE WEAR ON MY OTHER VEHICLE, AS WELL AS COSTING MUCH MORE MONEY FOR THINGS LIKE FUEL AND MAINTENANCE. I AM HAVING TO DRIVE HUNDREDS OF EXTRA MILES EVERY WEEK, ALONG WITH HAVING TO JUMP THROUGH NUMEROUS SCHEDULING HOOPS. I ASKED ABOUT ANY KIND OF A LOANER/RENTAL CAR PROVIDED VIA BMW, AND I WAS TOLD NO, THERE IS NO SUCH THING. AFTER 7 MONTHS, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF RESOLUTION, EVEN IF IT IS A TEMPORARY ONE (ARE THERE TEMPORARY AIRBAGS OF SOME SORT? SOMETHING THAT MAKES THE CAR SAFE AGAIN, AT LEAST UNTIL THE PERMANENT PARTS COME IN?). EVEN WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES, I STILL FEEL I AM ONE OF THE "LUCKY FEW" WITH THIS RECALL THAT HAS A SECOND VEHICLE. I CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW THINGS WOULD WORK OUT IF THE ONLY CAR I HAD COULD SEND SHRAPNEL AT ME IN THE EVEN OF AN ACCIDENT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN. EVEN IF IT'S TEMPORARY. 7 MONTHS OF NO PROGRESS IS FAR TOO LONG, EVEN IN A RECALL OF THIS SCALE.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2016
I AM CONCERNED I GOT A LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL IN JULY AND IT IS NOW JANUARY AND I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHY HAS IT TAKEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS TO FIX IT. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BUT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Dec 16, 2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAG) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 24, 2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V3198000 (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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 9, 2015
2003 BMW 325CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACEMENT NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL 14V-42B. *SMD
Air bags, Nov 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2015
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY ABOUT TWO AIR BAG RECALLS, ONE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ONE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE, AFFECTING MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE VERIFIED THAT THEY HAVE MY CORRECT ADDRESS. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM FOR EACH INCIDENT, TWICE IN 2014 FOR THE FIRST RECALL AND ONCE ON 9/24/2015 FOR THE CURRENT RECALL.THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY DO NOT CONTACT ME.
Air bags, Sep 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. 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.
Air bags, Aug 20, 2015
I GOT A RECALL LETTER ON JULY 2015 OF MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG BEING DEFECTIVE. I ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RECALL. IT TOOK 7 MONTHS TO GET IT REPLACED. I'M TOTALLY SCARED AND ANXIOUS TO DRIVE MY CAR. I SAW SOMEONE GET BURNED FROM AN AIRBAG RECENTLY AND AM SUPER SUPER SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. IVE CALLED A COUPLE TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK. CAN'T ANYTHING BE DONE?