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, 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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 9, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2015
VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT PROPERLY FUNCTION; I.E WILL NOT UNLOCK BY KEY FOB. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE AND UPON RESEARCHING THE INCIDENT, I DETERMINED THIS IS A COMMON FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER. DOOR WILL ALSO REMAIN LOCKED WHILE PUSHING THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DOORS WILL ALSO REMAIN LOCKED WHEN ENGAGING THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE (ENGAGING DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE IS SUPPOSED TO UNLOCK THAT DOOR). THIS TYPE OF FAULT RAISES MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK EVERY DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE LOCKING MECHANISM SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WHILE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WOULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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?
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.
Seats, Aug 18, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOLE. THE CONTACT DEACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER AND POURED WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT PARTS OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WERE MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXPANSION TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I EQUIPPED WITH ZKW BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED AND DIMINISHED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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.
Seats, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT HEAD REST WAS TURNED AT AN ANGLE THAT PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM DRIVING COMFORTABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RAIL WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE ABNORMAL AND BOTH SEATS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Engine, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND FILLED THE DRIVER'S CABIN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED OIL BETWEEN THE VALVE GASKET AND THE HEAD GASKET AS WELL AS OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE OIL DIP STICK WAS REMOVED, HOT OIL SHOT OUT ONTO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS BURNED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Steering, Jun 9, 2015
POWER STEERING PUMP BREAKING, LOOKED UP ONLINE AND ITS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE CAR, VERY DANGEROUS IF DRIVING DOWN ROAD WHEN IT BREAKS, ESPECIALLY IF ITS A KNOW PROBLEM
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 2, 2015
ON 4/27/2015, DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 5:30 PM, THE CAR STOPPED MOVING FORWARD AND DID NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDDLE. FORTUNATELY, DUE TO SLOW TRAFFIC, WE DID NOT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT NIGHT AND/OR AT USUAL TRAFFIC SPEEDS, WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. 911 RESPONDED, PUSHED US TO THE SHOULDER AND THEN AAA TOWED THE CAR.
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!
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 23, 2015
DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ON A FEW DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *TR
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