2003 BMW 318I Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 318I years
- Not enough data 5th of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 318I. That ranks 5th out of 6 318I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaints, 33%), typically at around 2,900 miles. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 3owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 BMW 318I problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 33% | 2,900 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2003 BMW 318I recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2003 BMW 318I.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Rear Lamp Illumination (EA09019) — opened Dec 18, 2009, closed Sep 28, 2011, led to recall 11V438000.
- Rear lamp illumination (PE09036) — opened Aug 7, 2009, closed Dec 22, 2009, led to recall 11V438000.
- Rear lamp illumination (DP09002) — opened Apr 8, 2009, closed Aug 6, 2009.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I was blinded tonight by the high intensity discharge headlights on a car 100 or more feet from me that was coming out of a gas station. I was in a parking lot across the highway from the gas station and becuase o being blinded i didn't see a road divider. My right front wheel hit it a a low speed…
Consumer states when vehicle idles it shuts off. Dealer states they can't duplicate the problem.*ak
Vehicle was parked in driveway when the vehicle rolled out into the street with the emergency brakes on. Ph
Other BMW 318I years
See all BMW 318I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 318I?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 318I?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2003 BMW 318I a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 318I model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.