CarRecallWatchThe 2003 BMW E36 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Power Train (3 reports).
0Recalls
13Owner complaints
2Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your E36?
2003 BMW E36 recalls
No safety recalls on file for the 2003 BMW E36.
Most common 2003 BMW E36 problems
Problem areas named in the 13 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
What owners report
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 BMW 325I IN DECEMBER 2007. TODAY (JANUARY 21, 2008), MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND PARKED SAID VEHICLE IN HER REQUIRED PARKING SPACE. THAN ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER CAME IN AND INFORMED HER THAT THE BMW STARTED BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND SOME HOW STARTED WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE CAME WITH A REMOTE START FEATURE WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE KEY. THE KEYS WERE ON THE DESK AND MY WIFE WAS NOT IN THE SAME BUILDING THERE THE KEYS WERE. MY WIFE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKING ON THEIR COMPUTER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. *TR
DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT (20-30 SECONDS) WHEN COLD. HAZARD ON HILL AND ENTERING TRAFFIC. *TR
DOUBLE VANOS SYSTEM ON SEVERAL MODELS OF BMW FROM 1999 TO 2006, HAVE DEFECTIVE VANOS SYSTEMS. THE E39 DOUBLE VANOS (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT) HAS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. THIS DOUBLE VANOS CAN BE FOUND ON 6-CYL ENGINES M52TU, M54, AND M56, FOUND IN SEVERAL MODEL CARS, E39, E46, ETC, YEARS 99-03. THE MALFUNCTION SYMPTOMS ARE ALMOST ALL SUBTLE AND MOSTLY GO UNNOTICED. THEY INCLUDE LOWER GAS MILEAGE, LOWER PERFORMANCE, DEGRADED EMISSIONS CONTROL, AND POSSIBLY OTHERS. THE M52TU ENGINE (99-00) HAS ONE FURTHER MALFUNCTION SYMPTOM WHICH IS FAR FROM SUBTLE. IT OCCURS ON COLD WEATHER COLD ENGINE STARTS AND TAKES THE FORM OF REPEATED ENGINE ATTEMPTED STALLS AND POSSIBLY A COMPLETE ENGINE STALL. THE EN
2003 BMW 525I WITH 56K MILES. DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS WARMING UP AND FEW SECONDS LATER, ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING A WHOLE. THE ENGINE AND HEATER WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND DEALER AGREED WITH FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW S10 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTERMARKET CHROME RIMS ONLINE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE RIMS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND SHATTERED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
2003 BMW E36 questions
Does the 2003 BMW E36 have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2003 BMW E36 at this time.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW E36?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (3), Tires (2), Electrical System (2).
How do I check if a recall on my 2003 BMW E36 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.