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.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2006
2003 BMW 325I STALLS FREQUENTLY BECAUSE OF INSTABILITY. *KB THE VEHICLE STALLED ABOUT SEVEN TIMES AFTER BEING DRIVEN OFF THE LOT ON THE DATE IF PURCHASE. FROM DEC 2003 TO JUNE 2005 THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVE 11,000 BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ALLEVIATE THE STALLING CONDITION. THE DEALER BELIEVED THE STALLING WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STALLING IS DUE TO INSTABILITY AND THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE EASY FIXED BY UPDATING SOFTWARE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DOWNLOADED THE UPDATE FROM THE BMW-SIEMENS WEBSITE IN THE U.K. AND INSTALLED IT. SINCE THE SOFTWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY STALLED TWICE SINCE UPDATED, ONCE WHEN IN THE WRONG GEAR, AND ONCE WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS SET. *NM
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 11, 2006, crash
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SEE ME AND STRUCK ME AT FULL SPEED, PROBABLY AROUND 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD THAT IT SPUN AROUND AND SLID ABOUT HALF A BLOCK. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS, INCLUDING THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS, DEPLOYED, AND THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 13, 2006
ERRATIC IDLE. . . WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE RPMS REV IN SPIKES FROM 500 TO 1500, UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN. THE CAR NEVER RESETS TO A CONSTANT IDLE. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 8 - 9 TIMES OVER 18 DAYS TOTAL. NO SOLUTION. TECH TOLD ME BMW KNOW OF PROBLEM BUT HAS NO PLANS TO FIND A FIX. *JB
Tires, Wheels, Feb 9, 2006
I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON H1 FREEWAY WESTBOUND BETWEEN KAONOHI & PEARL CITY EXIT WHERE THE H1 WIDENING CONSTRUCTION IS ON PROGRESS JUST BEFORE 10:00 AM ON 2/2/06. THERE ARE SEVERAL LARGE SIZE GRAVELS ON THE FAR LEFT LANE I WAS DRIVING. BY THE TIME I SPOTTED, IT WAS TOO LATE TO CHANGE THE LANE FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE VEHICLE NEXT TO ME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY LEFT FRONT TIRE & RIM GOT HIT BY ONE OF GRAVELS & EXPLODED I HAD AAA TO CHANGE MY SPARE & NEEDED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER RIM & TIRE COST ME $450
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 12, 2005
THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING SINCE 11/2004, AND HAS HAD 6 DOCUMENTED SERVICES. AFTER LAST SERVICE ON 11/18/05, IT STALLED AGAIN ON 12/01/05 WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY. I HAD NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE THEN AND HAD IT TOWED AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 12/10/05. *JB
Tires, Nov 28, 2005
I WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRE HAD A DEFECT BUT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ONE PERSON TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TIRE DEFECT BUT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SAY ANYTHING SINCE HE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BULGE CAUSED BY A POT HOLE BUT IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND LITERALLY LIFTED THE CAR UP ON TWO WHEELS. I WAS SO SCARED AND UPSET AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL THAT I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THEY SAID OH WELL. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE PUT ON LAST SUMMER. THEY BOUNCE CONSTANTLY BUT YET COOPER DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR SO CALLED HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES. *JB
Tires, Nov 10, 2005
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO FILE A COMPLAINT BUT NOW IT IS WORSE. ONE OF THE TIRES FROM COOPER THAT I FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT BLEW OUT FORCING MY CAR UP ON TWO WHEELS. I MANAGE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT FLIPPING. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I AM KILLED OR SOMEONE IS HURT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *JB
Tires, Nov 4, 2005
I PURCHASED COOPER TIRES LAST SUMMER AND DO NOT HAVE 10,000 MILES ON THEM AND THEY ARE STARTING TO FALL APART. I HAD TO REPLACE ONE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS DAMAGE BECAUSE OF A POT HOLE. NOW I HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT HAS A KNOT IN IT AND I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE TIRE CAUSE BY A POTHOLE.. IT SEEMS LIKE I AM BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN AND BLONDE. TWO YEARS AGO MY DAUGHTER HAD TO HAVE ALL 4 OF HER TIRES REPLACED THAT WERE COOPER BECAUSE SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIAL HAD FLAT SIDES. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 5, 2005
TAIL LIGHTS FAILED ON MY 2003 BMW 330XI. THE SHOP FOREMAN AT MY BMW DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT HE HAS BEEN SEEING A LOT OF TAIL LIGHT FAILURES BECAUSE THE WIRING WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE LOAD AND THEREFORE THE WIRES HAVE BEEN FRYING OUT. MY WORK ORDER STATES REPAIRS WERE DONE TO DIAGNOSE & REPLACE MELTED TAIL LIGHT CONNECTORS AND WIRING. *JB
Tires, Sep 26, 2005
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED TIRE BLOW OUTS ON A TOTAL OF 4 TIRES ON MY 2003 BMW 330XI. ALL WERE CAUSED BY DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND STRIKING EITHER A POTHOLE OR A RAISED MANHOLE COVER. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE ALSO CRACKED THE ALLOY WHEEL WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. BMW SAYS THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED AND THE "WHEELS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR HITTING POTHOLES". SINCE WHEN ARE CARS ONLY DESIGNED FOR OPERATING UNDER PERFECT CONDITIONS? TOTAL REPAIR EXPENSE HAS BEEN NEARLY $2000. THIS RESULTS FROM WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DESIGN FLAW WHEREBY VERY LOW ASPECT RATIO TIRES ARE STANDARD ON CAR AND DO NOT OFFER SUFFICIENT IMPACT RESISTANCE LEADING TO EXPLOSIVE FAILURE OF TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FLAW AND SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL AND CONSUMER REIMBURSEMENT. OWNERS CANNOT VOLUNTARILY SIMPLY FIT DIFFERENT SAFER TIRES OFFERING MORE PROTECTION AS THE CARS TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, PER BMW. *JB
Air bags, May 12, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS BMW AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BOTH DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY AND THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE TWO AIR BAGS THAT DEPLOYED WAS ONE OF THE SIDE ABOVE THE WINDOW AND THE ONE AT THE ARM REST. HE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY WANT HIM TO SIGN A STATEMENT PRETTY MUCH TELLING HIM TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT AND NOT TO REPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OR HIS INJURIES TO ANYONE. IF HE SIGNS THE STATEMENT THEY TOLD HIM THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A REPLACEMENT CAR. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND HE SAYS THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT HE WANTED TO REPORT. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 28, 2005
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE/ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL MODULE. WHENEVER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD, THEN STOPS AND GOES INTO A CYCLE WHERE IT DOES THIS "BUCKING" ACTION A FEW TIMES. THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD, BUT HAS ONLY DONE THIS FOR THE PAST YEAR. I'VE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY BMW- HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR THE LAST EIGHT (8) MONTHS WITH NO RESULT. MY FAMILY REFUSES TO RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE JERKING MOTION MAKES THEM SICK. A BMW FIELD REPRESENTATIVE KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I HIRED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT WAS ABLE TO TRACE THE PROBLEM TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, BUT DOES NOT POSSESS THE BMW SOFTWARE OR EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR IT. NOW IT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT'S IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE LEFT TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS SINCE THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AND STOPS. A FEW TIMES I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS.
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2005
I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS AND THE IGNITION COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES NOW. THE EVENTS INCLUDE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMING ON AND THE CAR VIBRATING AND IDLING ROUGH. THE CAR EVENTUALLY STALLS AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND MUST BE TOWED. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION COILS BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER REPLACING ALL 6 COILS THE SECOND TIME, THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. THERE IS A DEFINITE DESIGN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR THAT BMW HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS.*AK
Suspension, Jan 3, 2005
SPORTS SUSPENSION IS CAUSING THE TIRES TO POP WHEN THE VEHICLE TENDS TO GO OVER A BUMP. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP, AND REPAIRS 3 TIMES.*AK
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2004
PASSENGER SIDE XENON HEADLIGHT OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. CAR HAD TO GO TO DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT PARTS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO FIX. FOR SAFETY I HAVE RESTRICTED VEHICLE TO DAYTIME DRIVING ONLY BECAUSE I CANNOT DEPEND ON THE HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. *JB
Tires, Wheels, Nov 23, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2003 BMW 325I LAST YEAR . FROM SAN DIEGO BMW AND I HAD 3 OR MORE TIRE BLOW OUT EVER SINCE , AND IS ALL FROM THE SAME SIDE OF THE CAR (LEFT REAR) . I GOT BRAND NEW TIRES , ROTATION ALIGNMENT , ANYTHING I CAN THINK OF. FROM THE SAME DEALER I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM . MY LAST TIRE BLOW OUT WAS ON NOV. 20,2004 FROM THE TIRE I HAD REPAIR ON AT THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT.)AND IT HAPPENED TWO DAYS AFTER I HAD MY CAR SERVICE, AND TIRE REPAIR . (I CALL THE SERVICE DEPT. ALL THEY CAN TELL ME WAS TO GET NEW TIRES. ) *JB
Air bags, Nov 18, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. UPON IMPACT,IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THERE WAS A FOUL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, Oct 29, 2004
DEFECTIVE 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION AT 17,000 MILES. *JB
Electronic stability control, Service brakes, Air, Power train, Oct 25, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 2003 325XI ON COUNTY HIWAY SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE RIGHT TURN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM TRANSMISSION AREA (PREVIOUS FAILURE OF TRANS. COMP. MODULE @ 1500 MILES-REPLACED BY DEALER) AND VEHICLE LOCKE UP, HARD ENOUGH FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE TO MOVE FORWARD AGAINST THE SEAT BELTS. PRESSED ON ACCELARATOR, MOTOR RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT RESPOND. DODGE TRUCK STRUCK MY VEHICLE IN REAR, DRIVER AND WITNESSES SAW NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR OTHER INDICATION I WAS STOPPED OTHER THAN NOT MOVING FORWARD. SHUT CAR OFF. HAD TO RESTART CAR TO MOVE SAME TO SIDE OF ROAD, RESPNDED NORMALLY. TOWED TO DEALER, UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL. BMW TO SEND ENGINEER TO SHOP.*AK
Suspension, Oct 19, 2004
VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES SUFFERS FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILUE. AFTER REVIEWING THE DATA ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. AS AN AVIATION TECHNICIAN I CAN STATE THIS IS WELL ABOVE "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND IN FACT PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS IGNORED. THE CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN SINCE THEY HAVE NOT BE REDESIGNED. THIS IS THE TYPE OF FAILURE THAT NHTSA WAS CREATED TO PREVENT, THE MFG HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO ADVISE OWNERS OR TO INSPECT WITHOUT A FAILUE. THIS FAILURE CAN RESULT IN THE FRONT WHEELS COMMING OFF THE VEHICLE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.*AK
Air bags, Sep 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OVER AN BUMP IN THE ROAD PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 17, 2004
YOU NEED TO GET THOSE STUPID, DANGEROUS BRIGHT LIGHTS OFF THE ROAD. NOT ALL OF US HAVE PERFECT EYES. EVEN A SMALL CATARACT CAUSEES A LOSS OF SIGHT AND THESE LIGHTS MAKE IT MUCH WORSE. CHECK WITH AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THE SAME THING. MY FRIEND HERE IN POORTLAND OREGON JUST GOT BACK FROM MINN. & WIS. AND HE WAS MAD AS HELL ABOUT THE BRIGHT LIGHTS HE HAD TO CONTEND WITH. SO WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT AFTER THE FACT ON THE ACCIDENTS. WHY DON'T YOU GET THESE UNSAFE THINGS OFF THE ROAD. YOU NEED TO FORCE A SYSTEM ON VEHICLES THAT THEY CAN ONLY GO SO FAST ACCORDING TO THEIR WEIGHT. THIS STUPIDITY ABOUT PUTTING A SENSOR TO TELL THE DRIVER WHEN HE HAS A LOW TIRE IS STUPID AT BEST. WHY DON'T YOU FORCE SERVICE STATIONS TO GO BACK TO SERVICE STATIONS THE WAY THEY WERE IN THE 1950S. I CHECKED THOUSANDS OF TIRES, COOLENT LEVEL, & JUST BASIC STUFF UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL AS WASHED THOUSAND OF WIND SHIELDS. THE COUNTRY HAS GONE TO HELL IF YOU ASK ME. THE GOVERNMENT HAS RUINED ALOMST EVERY THING THEY GET INVOLVED IN. LET US KEEP SOME OF OUR MONEY & WE WILL DO IT OUR SELVES. STUDEBAKER & KAISER-FRAZER WERE VERY SAFE VEHICLES BUT THEY WERE EXPENSIVE FOR THEIR DAY. YOU CAN'T SELL SAFETY. I WENT TO GOGGGLE & PUT IN DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION. FOUND THIS SITE AS NO. ONE. THEN WIGGLED AROUND AND FOUND THIS SITE. IT IS WAY TOO HARD TO FIND. REX R. BAHR @ POORTLAND OREGON U.S.ALIENS. *AK
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2004, fire
2003 BMW 325I 4 DOOR OWNED BY ME FOR 3 1/2 MONTHS DESTROYED IN FIRE. BMW HAD SENT LETTER TO ME REGARDING MANUFACTURING PROBLEM & TO BRING INTO DEALERSHIP FOR CORRECTION. PRIOR TO PROBLEM, I DID HAVE HAVE SLOW STARTING/CRANKING PROBLEMS. CAR BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP ON 2/21/04. ON 2/23/04, DRIVING FIRE STARTED IN RIGHT REAR AREA OF MY TRUNK, NEAR BATTERY. CAR TOTALLED BY INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2004
BMW 325I PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2003. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. MY CAR WOULD JERK VERY HARD WHEN APPROACHING TO A STOP. MY CAR STARTED TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR SOMETIMES IT DID NOT EVEN START. IN JUNE 2003 A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AFTER I INITIALLY PURCHASE IT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT DID NOT REGISTER ANY FAULTS IN THE COMPUTER. A MONTH LATER TOOK IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ANOTHER MONTH PASSD TOOK IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE JERKING PROBLEM. BMW TECH SAID THAT THEY NEEDED TO UPGRADE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE WHICH THEY DID AND THE JERKING STOPPED. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED IS MY CAR STALLING. SINCE PURCHASED DATE MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND MY CAR CONTINUES TO DIE OUT ON ME. SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN START, I HAD TO TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE. SUMMARIZE CURRENT PROBLEMS: RANDOMLY DOES NOT WANT TO START AND SOMETIMES MY DOORS DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY REMOTE. *AK
Tires, Jul 19, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH MICHELIN TIRES ON 2003 BMW 330 CI.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD A DAMAGED MICHELIN TIRE REPLACED BUT ONLY FOUR MONTHS LATER THE NEW TIRE IS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE OLD TIRE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TIRES BECAME TOO HOT THEREFORE CREATING 3-4 INCH BUBBLES AROUND THE WALL WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR. *NM