repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 54 owner complaints about the 2003 BMW M3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-428 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 BMW M3 has problems
54 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
14Power train
5Suspension
5Structure
4Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system
3Engine
3Exterior lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
108 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 15 | 4 |
| Power train | 14 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 10 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2003 BMW M3 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.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
no report yet
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. 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…
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. OCCUPANTS COULD BE PINCHED BY A WINDOW THAT IS BEING CLOSED.
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 M3 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 M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 BMW M3, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONNo recall
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONLed to recall 11V-438
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was…
TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET TO MY 2003 BMW M3, BUT READING ABOUT THE TAKATA RECALL AND WHAT THE AIRBAGS ARE CAPABLE IS SCARING ME TO DEATH. MY 5 YEAR NEPHEW LOVES RIDING AROUND TOWN IN HIS UNCLE'S "RACE CAR". EVEN THOUGH I RARELY GO FASTER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW BY…
TAKATA RECALL - THIS IS A 2003 CAR I USED TO LEASE. BMW STILL HAS ME AS THE LESSEE OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS TURNED IN TO BMW IN 2006. SOMEONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT GET THIS RECALL BECAUSE OF POOR RECORD KEEPING. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENCE. I HAVE OTHER LEASED BMW'S THAT STILL HAD ME AS…
Own a 2003 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.