2003 BMW 3 Series recalls and problems
No recalls and 73 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 3 Series.
Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 BMW 3 Series recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Most reported problems
Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE (2111 W GROVE PKWY…
BRAKE LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES GETS STUCK ON ONCE THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS PRODUCES NO ERROR CODES. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH. I CHANGED THIS AND IT DID NOTHING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS BRAKING AS THE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL…
2003 BMW 325I LOW FUEL STALL
TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF GEAR AND SHUT CAR DOWN, WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION DURING NORMAL USE. VEHICLE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN COLD, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF BADLY DESIGNED SMG TEMP SENSOR AND NEGLIGENTLY DESIGNED COMPUTER LOGIC THAT SHIFTS TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AND SHUTS CAR DOWN.
THE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE A FLAW IN THE PLASTIC PROJECTOR HOUSING. THE HOUSING GETS TOO HOT AND MELTS AND THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS SEVERELY RESTRICTED. THIS HAPPENS TO 100% OF THE HEADLIGHTS MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE HEADLIGHTS MELTS AND THE LIGHT CAN NO LONGER BE…
3 Series model years compared
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 88 | 3 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 | 73 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 | 77 | 1 | 3 |
| 2005 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 | 202 | 6 | 1 |
Across all years, the 2006 3 Series has the most complaints (202). All BMW 3 Series years →
Questions
- Does the 2003 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 BMW 3 Series as of October 27, 2026.
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 3 Series?
- Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is exterior lighting (23 complaints), followed by air bags (21).
- How many 2003 BMW 3 Series complaints mention a crash or fire?
- 3 of 73 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 30, 2019.