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, Aug 20, 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 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2015
I HAVE RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE RECALLS FOR AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS ON MY CAR. THE FIRST WAS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THAT RECALL WAS RECEIVED IN 2014. IT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO HAVE MY FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED. IN JULY THIS YEAR I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL SAYING THAT I NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH DESCRIBES THE SAME RISK: "...RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE FRONT DRIVER OR OTHER PASSENGERS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." IF BMW HAS CREATED A CAR THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN MY INJURY OR DEATH, SHOULD IT NOT BE REASONABLE FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY? SHOULD IT NOT BE REASONABLE THAT I AM GIVEN A LOANER BMW AT THEIR EXPENSE (INCLUDING INSURANCE) WHILE THEY FIX THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR? WHY TWO SEPARATE RECALLS? WHY DID THEY NOT FIX BOTH AIRBAGS AT THE SAME TIME? WHY DOES IT TAKE MONTHS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT?
Air bags, Jul 29, 2015
BMW OF CHAMPAIGN , ILLINOIS HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR MY AIRBAGS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH THEIR ATTORNEY, DAVID SHOLEM. HIS RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO HANG UP ON ME OR NOT RESPOND AT ALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AS THEY HAVE AGNOLIGED ( COPY AVAILABLE). I HAVE ASKED FOR AT LEAST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER BMW DEALER NEARLY 100 MILES AWAY TO RELIEVE THE HARDSHIP THEY CREATED. BMW CHAMPAIGN IS LOCATED LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE.I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM BMW OF CHAMPAIGN WITH AN OPEN RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED AS BEING "FULLY RECONDITIONED.
Air bags, Jul 29, 2015
2003 BMW 330CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG RECALL INSTALLATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE AIR BAG PART INSTALLED, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITH NO EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND A MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
Air bags, Jul 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2015
2003 BMW 325I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAGS RECALL #14V-428 ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR THAT WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2014, MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. *JB MA 10/15/2015 UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
Air bags, Jun 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIR IN WHICH THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT FLUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED AND THAT THE COMPONENTS SHIFTED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A DATE THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 21, 2015
FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN EARLY 2003, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ON INDEFINITELY. THE BMW DEALER TURNED THE ALERT LIGHT OFF SEVERAL TIMES, AND DID NOT FIX THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT IT WAS ONLY THE SENSOR AND THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO MURRAY BMW IN DENVER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND THE DEALERSHIP MERELY TURNED THE ALERT LIGHT OFF INDICATING THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, AND NOT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE REPAIR WAS NEVER MADE. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE SENSOR. WHEN THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL REMAINED ON, AND THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE WHEN PURCHASING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE!
Air bags, Apr 22, 2015
HELLO, I RECEIVED A PASSENGER AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014 FOR MY BMW 325 CI YEAR 2003 AND HAVE TRIED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE CALL WITH TWO BMW DEALERSHIPS IN NJ (BLOOMFIELD AND JMK IN SPRINGFIELD) SINCE THIS DATE. BOTH DEALERSHIPS KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS A BACK ORDER ON THE PARTS AND STATE THAT THEY HAVE PLACED MY NAME ON A WAITING LIST. EVERY TIME I CALL THEM (IT IS APRIL 2015 NOW) I GET THE SAME STORY AND IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY UNREASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO HAVE SOMEONE WAIT FOR SUCH A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. I KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG REPLACED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2015
ALMOST 6 MONTHS AGO, I WAS NOTIFIED BY BMW ABOUT A RECALL BECAUSE OF AIR BAG(S) AND WAS ADVISED THAT I WOULD BE CALLED SHORTLY FOR REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED BMW NUMEROUS TIMES BY PHONE AND MAIL AND EVERY TIME WAS ADVISED THAT PARTS SHOULD BE IN SHORTLY. IF THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS FOR SO LONG, THERE SHOULD BE SOME ALTERNATE. KNOWING A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT CORRECTING IT AND LETTING THE DRIVER(S) ON A CHANCE FOR A TRAGEDY SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3301. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART 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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Air bags, Feb 6, 2015
LAST YEAR WE WERE NOTIFIED BY BMW US THAT OUR CAR WAS BEING RECALLED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION AND BMW DEALERS WERE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN WE HAVE CONTACTED BMW US NUMEROUS TIMES AND OUR LOCAL SAN FRANCISCO BMW DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE REPEATEDLY TOLD THE SAME ANSWER THAT WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACING THE AIR BAG. FINALLY, WE WERE ABLE TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR BMW LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR FEBRUARY 4, 2015. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR THERE, WE WERE TOLD ONCE AGAIN, BY THEIR 'SERVICE CONSULTANT RUBI HUEY, THAT THERE ARE STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX IT AND THEY COULD NOT EVEN GIVE US AN APPROXIMATE DATE AS TO WHEN THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS SITUATION NOT ONLY THAT BMW IS NOT MAKING THE NECESSARY EFFORT TO RESOLVE THIS DANGEROUSLY ESSENTIAL AND HAZARDOUS REPAIR WHICH IS NECESSARY TO BEING ABLE TO SELL THE CAR, WHICH IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR US. WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM SOON. THANK YOU. *JS
Air bags, Feb 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED ,THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V428000 (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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Air bags, Jan 26, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 2, 2015
IN SEPTEMBER 2014 I RECEIVED A NOTICE RE: RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-428 FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURE OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUSLY INJURING THE FRONT PASSENGER OR OTHER PASSENGER. BMW HAS DONE NOTHING TO REPLACE THIS AIR BAG. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN THAT 4 MONTHS HAVE PASSED WITH NOTHING RESOLVED. I, ALONG WITH OTHER BMW DRIVERS, ARE AT RISK AND WE NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION FOR ALL OF US. *TR
Air bags, Dec 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Dec 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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.
Air bags, Dec 23, 2014
RE: CAMPAIGN # 14V-428 I RECEIVED AN 'IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' REGARDING A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH VIA EMAIL AND PHONE CALLS WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO NO AVAIL. THEY ADVISE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS YET. MY DEALER, HABBERSTAD, HUNTINGTON, NY ALSO ADVISES THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. I AM ON A LIST TO BE SERVICED WHEN PARTS ARE RECEIVED. THIS LETTER IS DATED SEPTEMBER 2014, IT IS NOW DECEMBER 23, 2014 AND I AM STILL RIDING IN A DEATHTRAP. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO HAVE ANY FRONT PASSENGERS OR STORE ANYTHING ON THE SEAT! I CANNOT HAVE MY 3 GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR OR ANY OTHER PASSENGERS. THIS IS ABSURD! I HAVE GIVEN BMW 3 FAIR OPTIONS: 1-SECURE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO MAKE MY AUTO SAFE...2-GIVE ME A LOANER UNTIL SUCH TIME...OR BUY THE CAR FROM ME AT A VERY FAIR PRICE (AS I COULDN'T SELL IT PRIVATELY) SO I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. WHY ISN'T THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY, AND WHAT IS BEING DONE BY THE NHTSA TO ENSURE THIS??? *TR
Air bags, Dec 22, 2014
BMW ISSUED RECALL 13V-172000 IN MAY 2013 AND EXPANDED TO RECALL 14V-428000 IN SEPTEMBER 2014 TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. IN THEIR LETTER TO NHTSA WITH REGARDS TO RECALL 14V-428000 THEY NOTED THEY SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH PARTS TO PERFORM THE RECALL IN OCTOBER 2014. AN UPDATE TO THE RECALL NOTICE ON THE NHTSA SITE STATES "A SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED WHEN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE, ON DECEMBER 1, 2014", HOWEVER I HAVE NOT RECEIVED SUCH NOTICE AND WHEN I CONTACTED BMW THEY STATED ON 12/15/14 "DUE TO A HIGH DEMAND FOR PARTS, WE ARE EXPERIENCING SHIPMENT DELAYS BUT DO ANTICIPATE RECEIVING AN INCREASE IN INVENTORY SUPPLY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS". THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THEY ESTIMATE THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. THE RECALL NOTES THAT IN A COLLISION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE AND METAL FRAGMENTS COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE A PASSENGER. BASED ON THE LACK OF ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION FROM BMW, AND THEIR RECENT STATEMENT THAT THE REPAIR COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ON THEIR LACK OF URGENCY TO RESOLVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN AT LEAST SINCE JULY 16, 2014, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN KNOWN ON MAY 2013 WHEN THE ORIGINAL RECALL 13V-172000 AFFECTING A LOWER NUMBER OF VEHICLES WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED. *TR
Air bags, Dec 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.