2003 BMW 3 Series Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 BMW 3 Series recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2003 BMW 3 Series.

Most common 2003 BMW 3 Series problems

Problem areas named in the 73 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Exterior Lighting	25
Air Bags	21
Electrical System	12
Structure	5
Power Train	4
Latches/Locks/Linkages	4
Suspension	4
Tires	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	3
Fuel System, Gasoline	2

What owners report

2019-08-30, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE (2111 W GROVE PKWY, PLEASANT GROVE, UT 84062, (801) 443-2000) WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *TT CONSUMER STATED HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE. *JB

2019-06-16, Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES GETS STUCK ON ONCE THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS PRODUCES NO ERROR CODES. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH. I CHANGED THIS AND IT DID NOTHING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS BRAKING AS THE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL BURN OUT THE BULBS AND MELT THE HOUSING IF CONSTANTLY ON. THIS CAN BE REPRODUCED EITHER WHILE PARKED OR IN MOTION.

2018-02-24, Engine
2003 BMW 325I LOW FUEL STALL

2017-07-31, Electrical System
TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF GEAR AND SHUT CAR DOWN, WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION DURING NORMAL USE. VEHICLE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN COLD, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF BADLY DESIGNED SMG TEMP SENSOR AND NEGLIGENTLY DESIGNED COMPUTER LOGIC THAT SHIFTS TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AND SHUTS CAR DOWN.

2016-11-27, Exterior Lighting
THE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE A FLAW IN THE PLASTIC PROJECTOR HOUSING. THE HOUSING GETS TOO HOT AND MELTS AND THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS SEVERELY RESTRICTED. THIS HAPPENS TO 100% OF THE HEADLIGHTS MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE HEADLIGHTS MELTS AND THE LIGHT CAN NO LONGER BE PROJECTED OUT CORRECTLY. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE NOW BRIGHTER THEN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE SAFELY DRIVEN AT NIGHT. SPARE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHTS AT A COST OF OVER $2000. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE.

2003 BMW 3 Series questions

Does the 2003 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2003 BMW 3 Series at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 3 Series?

Based on 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Exterior Lighting (25), Air Bags (21), Electrical System (12).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 BMW 3 Series has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.