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2003 BMW 325iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 199 owner complaints about the 2003 BMW 325i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-428 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.

44
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the 325i median · #2 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Lowest repair rate 29%Owner complaints19927 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage92kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 1, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 BMW 325i has problems

199 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags628
Exterior lighting485
Electrical system436
Power train180
Latches/locks/linkages131
Engine and engine cooling110
Steering60
Suspension60
Visibility50
14 other systems402

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2003 BMW 325i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

42%repaired · 2021 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 20V-018 · Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles · 123,637 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

29%repaired · 2016 Q1

Air bags

Do not drive

Recall 14V-428 · Jun 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehicles · 163,619 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

32%repaired · 2017 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-318 · May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles · 133,934 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Do not drive

Recall 13V-172 · May 2, 2013 · 43,204 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 11V-438 · Aug 26, 2011 · 241,000 vehicles

Risk. INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other 325i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 325i median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 BMW 325i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONDP09002 · closed Aug 6, 2009
    No recall
  2. Rear Lamp IlluminationEA09019 · closed Sep 28, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-438
  3. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONPE09036 · closed Dec 22, 2009
    Led to recall 11V-438
In owners' words

What 325i owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I HAD MY AIRBAGS REPLACED BUT THE MAN SITTING IN THE SEAT IS ON WITH A AIRBACK IN HIS LAP I WAS TOLD THAT THE MRS CONTROL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THE BAD AIRBAGS MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS ISSUE, I WANT TO KNOW IF BMW IS GOINN TO TAKE CARE OF THIS, BECAUSE NONE OF THE…
Complaint 11090042 · Apr 25, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - CALL THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL AND WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A CALL WHEN THE PART FOR THE JOBS WAS RECEIVED. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
Complaint 11073554 · Feb 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE CURB AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MOMENTUM BMW, 10002 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX, [PHONE]). THE…
Complaint 11046333 · Nov 15, 2017 · 78,000 miles

Own a 2003 325i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.