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.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2016
THE FUEL PUMPS OF THE SUPER LOW EMISSION VEHICLES (SULEV) (PZEV) 325I MODELS (IN CA, ME, MA, NY AND VT) ARE ENCLOSED IN THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL TANK AND THERE IS A KNOWN 100% FAILURE. BMW HAS A 15 YEAR/150K WARRANTY BUT I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 192K AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. FOR KNOWN DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP OF THE FUEL PUMP, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL OR AT LEAST NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES. IN MOST CASES, EVEN WHEN UNDER WARRANTY THE BMW DEALERSHIPS GAVE OWNERS DIFFICULTIES AND RESISTANCE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE PART ALONE IS $6000, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. AS MANY OF THESE SULEV MODELS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD AND POTENTIALLY WOULD STOP RUNNING AT ANY POINT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP CLOGS OR GETS BLOCKED, THE DRIVERS ARE POTENTIALLY PLACED IN DANGER. MY 2003 325I DIED ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70MPH BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WEREN'T MANY OTHER CARS ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO BUT COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND IS BASICALLY DEAD IN THE WATER NOW. THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. AGAIN, ALTHOUGH THIS AFFECTS LATER MODEL SULEV CARS, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION, AS BMW SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND REPUTATION BY REPAIRING A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART THAT AFFECTED OR WILL AFFECT ALL SULEV MODELS. TYPICALLY THE FUEL PUMP FAILS PRIOR TO THE 150K MILEAGE, BUT APPARENTLY SINCE I RARELY ALLOW MY FUEL TANK TO GO BELOW A QUARTER TANK, I WAS ABLE TO GET AN ADDITIONAL 40K. REGARDLESS, I THINK A RECALL FOR THIS MAJOR DEFECT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE REAR LAMP WHICH DID INITIATE A RECALL. BMW SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND I WILL NEVER EVEN THINK OF BUYING ANOTHER BMW EVER AGAIN.
Engine, Mar 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3251. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ABNORMAL ODOR FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
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
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Jan 12, 2016
DRIVING THE CAR THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL AXIAL SYSTEM FELL OFF WHERE THE BALL BEARING HELD THE WHEEL ON 3/4" BALL BEARINGS FELL OFF THE CAR, AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS READY TO FALL APART AS WELL I WAS DRIVING AND AS I TURNED INTO THE AUTO SHOP DRIVEWAY THE WHEEL FELL APART GOOD THING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS NOT DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY OR EXPRESSWAY.
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.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 24, 2015
CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM NEAR TOTAL FAILURE WITH POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. ALSO, ON A MINOR NOTE, WINDSHIELD WASHER DOESN'T WORK. THE LOCK, WINDOW, WIPER, AND MAYBE OTHER RELAYS ARE LOCATED ON A CIRCUIT BOARD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BE SWAPPED OUT BY THE AVERAGE PERSON. THIS MEANS A HIGH REPAIR COST WHICH MEANS THAT AS THESE VEHICLES COME ONTO THE USED MARKET AND BEING THE AMAZING VALUE THAT THEY ARE, CURRENT OWNERS MAY BE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO HAVE THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY AND SIMPLY NOT USE THE LOCKS OR WHATEVER ELSE HAS A RELAY FAILURE. DUE TO THE SECURITY FEATURES AND SUCH ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CAR, IT BECOMES EASY FOR THE LOCKS TO BE ENGAGED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK AS THE PROBLEM IN THE RELAYS GETS WORSE. THE RELAYS NEED TO BE RELOCATED TO SOCKETS THAT ALLOW THEM TO BE INDIVIDUALLY REPLACED LIKE FUSES THE WAY MOST CARS HAVE THEM SO THAT THE PROBLEM DOESN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO GET WORSE AND RENDER CAR NEARLY UNUSABLE OR TRAP SOMEBODY INSIDE BEFORE A REPAIR IS POSSIBLE. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND THE LOCKS WERE IMPERFECT AT THAT TIME, IT IS ALSO KNOWN TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IN MOST VEHICLES' CASES. IN MY TIME WITH THE CAR IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, BUT SINCE I STILL HAVE LIFE LEFT IN MY BATTERY AND RECENTLY PURCHASED A WORKING REMOTE KEY, AND AM AN ABLE BODIED YOUNG PERSON, I WAS ABLE TO GET CREATIVE USING THE WINDOWS AND CARGO DOOR FOR ENTRY AND EXIT AND PLAN ON ATTEMPTING A TEMPORARY FIX, MAYBE JUST DISABLING LOCK SYSTEM, UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE REPAIR WHICH I'VE HEARD CAN COST HALF THE BOOK VALUE OF THIS VEHICLE!!! INSANITY!!! A TYPICAL RELAY REPLACEMENT IS AS SIMPLE AS BUYING A NEW ONE FOR WHAT MAYBE $5 AND PUTTING IT IN? JUST ADD A RELAY PANEL ON TOP OF THE FUSE PANEL. I DO LOVE THIS CAR YOU'VE MADE, BUT RELAYS FAIL, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPLACE THEM LIKE FUSES, JUST LIKE OTHER CARS.
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2015
THE LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003-2004 ZKW HID HEADLIGHTS WERE MADE OF SOME MATERIAL THAT DEGRADED WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT PRODUCED BY OEM XENON BULBS. THIS RESULTS IN A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN LIGHT OUTPUT AS THE REFLECTOR BECAME SCORCHED. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT INS AND OUTS, BUT 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.
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.