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
489 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 7, 2011
IN 2010 THE SUNROOF WENT BAD I TALKED TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM, IN AUGUST OF 2011 I NOTICED THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND BLINKERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPER,NOR WAS MY HORN,AND THE DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATORS ARE BINDING UP, ALSO A BRAKE HOSE FROM MY BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE ENGINE IS COLLAPSED IN TWO SPOTS. ??*TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2011
RIGHT TAILLAMP FAILURE AND LEFT TAILLAMP INTERMITTENT OPERATION. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIR: RIGHT REAR TAILLAMP CONNECTOR AND BULB CARRIER CORRODED. DEALER REPLACED PIGTAIL HARNESS AND BULB CARRIER WITH UPDATED DESIGN: SOCKET HOUSING, TERMINAL, CONTACT, CABLE CONNECTOR, HOSE, INSULATION HOUSING, FLAT CONTACT, CABLE SOCKET AND BULB SOCKET. *TR
Air bags, Nov 29, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW 325XI WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I HIT ANYTHING AND I DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I INSPECTED THE CAR AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT. BMW INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND SOME DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND CLAIMED THAT THIS DAMAGE CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THIS DAMAGE DID NOT OCCUR AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. BMW WAS NOT INTERESTED IN FURTHER INVESTIGATING MY CASE AND STUCK WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT THE MINOR DAMAGE FOUND UNDERNEATH THE CAR CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. *KB
Exterior lighting, Nov 21, 2011
HEADLIGHTS FAIL RANDOMLY. HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, TURN OFF, TURN BACK ON. INDEPENDENT OF SPEED OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. BULB TESTING AFTER THIS FAILURE INDICATE THAT THE BULBS ARE NOT FAILING (THEY ARE NOT BURNED OUT). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 16, 2011
THE COOLING FAN BROKE LOOSE SPONTANEOUSLY AND FLEW THROUGH THE AIR CUTTING THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND RIPPING THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS PRIOR THE HOOD HAD BEEN OPEN WITH PEOPLE STANDING AROUND LOOKING AT THE HOSES. HAD THE FAN BROKE LOOSE AT THIS TIME, I WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED PEOPLE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2011
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO BURNT CONNECTOR PINS AND CONNECTOR HOUSING. INADEQUATE CONNECTOR/WIRE RATING. SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FROM A RESPONSIBLE CAR MANUFACTURER. UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. BLEMISH ON THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE MOSTLY PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT. OCCASIONAL FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT. NORMALLY THE LIGHT BULB WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, BUT OFTEN THE WHOLE LIGHTING UNIT IS CONSIDERED FAILING BY THE DEALER. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS EXTREMELY HIGH. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SIMILAR DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD FAIL INTERMITTINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY GROUND WIRE CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE EXTERIOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WIRES HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BULB HOLDER PANEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ UPDATED 02/17/12
Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS) BY HIS MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE VEHICLE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,250.
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 13, 2011
THE REAR STOPLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,346 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2011
XENON LIGHTS WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE 50,000 MARK. SHORTLY AFTER CAR KEPT GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, KEPT GETTING LOW VOLTAGE READINGS ON DIAGNOSTICS. ONE BMW DEALERS KEPT TELLING ME I NEEDED TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. ALL THEY WOULD DO IS PLUG THE CAR INTO THE COMPUTER AND SEE THE TRANNY READING ON THE SCANNER. THE REASON THERE WAS A TRANNY READING WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN FAIL SAFE MODE. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE TRANNY REBUILT AND I STILL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD CYCLE THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR AND CAR WOULD DRIVE FINE. IT KEEPS GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE EVERYTIME I START THE CAR. ITS HARDER TO GET IT OUT OF FAIL SAFE MODE IN THE WINTER WITH COLDER STARTS. *TT
Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TAILGATE LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RESISTOR CABLE AND THE OUTLET PLUG CONNECTED TO THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND ALTERNATED FUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL) BUT WAS NOT AWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 6, 2011
THE PASSENGER DOORS FAIL TO OPEN WITH THE INTERNAL DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS IS DUE TO FAILURE OF DOOR UNLOCK RELAYS IN THE GM5 MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE IF A FAILURE OF THE UNLOCK RELAY HAPPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOORS IN AN EMERGENCY TO RETRIEVE PASSENGERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2011
THE ZKW BRAND HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) / XENON HEADLIGHTS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY IN TO MY 2003 BMW 330I DEGRADED TO A POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT WAS ALMOST ZERO UNLESS I DROVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS AND/OR FOG LIGHTS ON. REPLACING THE BULBS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS BURNT "REFLECTOR BOWLS" WHICH ARE NOT REPLACEABLE. THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT $1000-1300 PER SIDE. I HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REPAIRED BY A SPECIALIST (AT A COST OF NEARLY $700) AS I WAS NOT READY TO PAY $2600 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS WITH ANOTHER SET OF ZKW ASSEMBLIES WHICH WOULD NO DOUBT FAIL LIKE EVERY SET OF ZKW HEADLAMPS INSTALLED IN 2003-2004 330I SEDANS. I DO NOT FEEL THAT HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE A 'WEAR AND TEAR' ITEM. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT. THE DETERIORATION OF LIGHT OUTPUT IS SLOW AND TAKES TIME, SO PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS UNTIL THEY ARE DRIVING WITH ALMOST NO OUTPUT ON THE ROAD. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 18, 2011
MY CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK RELIABLY VIA THE REMOTE CONTROL OR THE CENTER UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON. I CAN'T GET INTO THE CAR WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS. THE GENERAL MODULE(GM5) IS GOING BAD AND THE CAR WILL ONLY UNLOCK WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A NORMAL ISSUE WITH MY 2003 BMW 330I. HOPEFULLY BMW WILL FILE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM SO I DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE $790 THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2011
IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED BY ZKW, THE REFLECTIVE BALLASTS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND MELT, THEREBY DECREASING LIGHT OUTPUT. THE DARKNESS IS BARELY ILLUMINATED, THEREBY MAKING DRIVING AT NIGHT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS NO KNOWN DEALER PART TO REPLACE OR UPGRADE, SAVE FOR PURCHASING EXPENSIVE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIREDOR EXAMINED BY TECHNICIANS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2011
ZKW MANUFACTURED XENON HEADLAMPS FOR BMW 330I E46 CARS. THE PROJECTORS BECOME SCORCHED OVER TIME, CAUSING DANGEROUSLY LOW LIGHT OUTPUT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 17, 2011
THE LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003-2004 ZKW BRANDED HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE XENON OEM HID HEADLIGHTS ON THE 3 SERIES BMW FROM THAT MODEL YEAR (SEDAN) WERE MADE OF SOME PAINTED MATERIAL THAT DEGRADED WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE OEM XENON BULBS. THIS RESULTS IN A SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED LIGHT OUTPUT AS THE REFLECTOR BECAME SCORCHED. IF IT'S BAD ENOUGH, THERE IS NO LIGHT BEING PROJECTED ON THE ROAD AND IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE ANYTHING WITH THE NORMAL HEADLIGHTS. EITHER THE HIGH BEAMS HAVE TO BE USED OR THE FOGLIGHTS HAVE TO BE TURNED ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT BMW AND ZKW WERE AND ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AS THE NEWER, REDESIGNED HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT OEM HEADLIGHTS COST $1200 FOR EACH SIDE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL GRINDING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS FAILED. THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT THE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THE WARNING LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.