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 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.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
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.
Structure, Jan 26, 2015
WHEN INSIDE, ALL DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN WITH EITHER THE HANDLES, THE INTERNAL LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON, OR THE UNLOCKING MECHANISM ON THE KEY FOB. STOPPING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE AND MOVING IT A FEW YARDS STOPPED THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME AND THE BMW DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY CONTROL MODULE. THEY DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WOULD PREVENT EXITING THE CAR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. *TR
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.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 20, 2015
ORIGINAR REQUEST CAR GONE FOR REPAIR: MAIN ISSUE; LEAK OF ANTI-FREE, PUMP ISSUE. HOSE REPLACEMENT. 2012 - PACKAGE RESULTS NO INCLUDED IN OUR ORIGINAL REQUESTS. SUSPENSION PROBLEM: TECH FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. NOTE BY CAR'S OWNER: WE WHEN AHEAD AND REPLACED BOTH, ALTHOUGH AROUND 90% OF MY DRIVE IS IN HIGHWAYS AND MY FREQUENT PASSENGER IS ONLY A 3 YEAR OLD BOY. REPAIR COST: US$400.00 --------------------------------------- 2015- CAR BROUGHT OVER THE DEALERSHIP FOR "COMPUTER PROGRAMMING" AS SERVICE WAS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. RECOMMENDED SERVICES BY THE DEALERSHIP: - "REPLACE REAR COIL SPRINGS WITH LOWER PADS. (BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN) NOTE: - ALTHOUGH, WE 'D LIKE TO MAKE THIS REPAIR WE DID NOT AGREED TO DO SO. - THE TAG PRICE SCALED TO US766.28 WITHOUT TAX AND WE'VE BEEN IN A TIGHT BUDGET. - YOU MAY TRY SEARCHING ONLINE FOR "BMW REAR COIL SPRINGS COMPLAIN, ISSUE OR PROBLEMS." THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS ON BMW'S REAR SPRING FAIL BUT STILL NOT RECALL, ( ALTHOUGH BY BMW OWN ADMISSION THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDER A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 12, 2015
VEHICLE HAS RECURRING LOCKING ISSUE. WHEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE, DOOR LOCKS STOP FUNCTIONING. PRESSING DOOR LOCK BUTTON WILL NOT WORK. PRESSING BUTTON ON REMOTE WILL NOT WORK. ATTEMPTING TO MANUALLY OPEN DOOR USING DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE LAST INCIDENT BOTH MYSELF AND MY CHILD WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE IN THE HEAT AND HAD TO CALL 911 AS WE DID NOT HAVE THE KEY TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. THE FRONT WINDOW HAD TO BE BROKEN AND WE HAD TO BE REMOVED THROUGH A WINDOW BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT RELEASE. WE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR HEAT STROKE. WHEN I INVESTIGATED, I FOUND A GIRL DIED DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL? YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED AND THIS IS A FATAL ISSUE. HERE IS THE LINK TO THE GIRLS DEATH: HTTP://WWW.LATIMES.COM/LOCAL/LANOW/LA-ME-LN-GIRL-TRAPPED-IN-BMW-DIES-20140509-STORY.HTML. *TR
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.
Air bags, Dec 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Engine, Dec 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V280000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 8, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FALL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL /ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 4/29/15*CN UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN
Electrical system, Nov 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB AND KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS BY USING THE KEY FOB AND KEY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE FIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. MA 09/22
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Air bags, Nov 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.