2003 BMW 325I Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 325I years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 325I. That ranks 2nd out of 15 325I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (62 complaints, 31%), typically at around 92,300 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 11 fires, 12 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 199owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 7complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 BMW 325I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 62 | 31% | 92,300 | “takata air bags” (27%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 48 | 24% | 76,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 43 | 22% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 9% | 49,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 13 | 7% | 104,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 6% | 53,882 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 3% | 40,400 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 3% | 47,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 3% | 92,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 3% | 106,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 2% | 168,589 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 2% | 37,618 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 2% | 2,200 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2% | 71,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | 119,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 2% | 42,800 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1% | 126,500 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 1% | 77,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 1,600 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1% | 11,100 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | 10,075 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 BMW 325I recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bagsDo not drive
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Air bagsDo not drive
Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Exterior lighting:turn signal; exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lights
Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the window lifting anti-pinching device might not function properly.
Risk: Occupants could be pinched by a window that is being closed.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the electronic control unit for the window lifting anti-pinching device. Owner notification began may 27, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain passenger and sport wagon vehicles with automatic transmissions, with the engine running, and the vehicle at rest, an increase of engine idle speed (up to 1,300 rpm) may occur.
Risk: If a gear is selected, the driver may feel as if the vehicle is being pushed.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began may 5, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
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.
On June 28,2024, after parking and turning off the ignition switch, the dash started smoking and within minutes the whole dash and front of car were on fire. The car almost completely burned to the ground before the fire department could get there. The car was recently serviced at a BMW for an air…
The xenon projector bowls in the headlight assembly on both sides of the vehicle have slowly been burning. The bowl is made of plastic and with the heat of the xenons burns the plastic creating not only a fire hazard but also greatly reduces the effectiveness of the headlight beam, rendering it…
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 bmw 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the fire arsonist investigator filed a report and provided a case number. The vehicle was not towed to a dealer and was…
The door locks stop working periodically where only the drivers door will unlock with the key. At that time, the rear and passenger doors will not unlock with the remote or the button in the center console or by pulling on the door release inside the doors. The bmw usually unlocks the door with the…
Driving on 12/12/2019 on interstate highway about 65mph, going straight, when all of a sudden rear wheels (this is rwd - 2003 bmw 325i) locked up completely - the vehicle went forward at about 45 degrees sideways before it straightened out when the speed dropped. Thankfully i did not hit anybody…
Other BMW 325I years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 325I | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 325I | 1 | 3 |
| 2010 325I | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 325I | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 325I | 1 | 3 |
| 2007 325I | 1 | 3 |
| 2006 325I | 515 | 7 |
| 2005 325I | 71 | 4 |
| 2004 325I | 147 | 4 |
| 2003 | 199 | 7 |
| 2002 325I | 162 | 6 |
| 2001 325I | 151 | 6 |
| 2000 325I | 1 | 2 |
| 1999 325I | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 325I | 31 | 2 |
See all BMW 325I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 325I?
Owners most often report air bags, exterior lighting, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 62 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 325I?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 BMW 325I a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 325I model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.