KnownCarProblems2003 BMW 325ci Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 325ci, most often about the air bags (37% of complaints). It is 6th of 7 325ci model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2003 BMW 325ci problems
Air bags
10 complaints · 37%Parts named most often: side/window.
Electrical
5 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 111,000 miles.
While travelling on route 50 in maryland at 55mph engine cut out completely. I lost power steering and brakes. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to side of road, turn off vehicle and restart it. I brought it to the dealership where I purchased it. They cannot diagnose it without at least $1100 worth of work (they…
While driving my 2003 BMW 325ci the engine will shut off. This causes: 1. Power steering stops functioining 2. I am unable to accelerate 3. Braking takes excessively long with engine off 4. Dashboard lights up.
Fuel system
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery.
There is a problem with the electronic throttle/engine management control module. Whenever accelerating from a stop, the car lunges forward, then stops and goes into a cycle where it does this "bucking" action a few times. The car is 2 years old, but has only done this for the past year. I've attempted to have this…
While travelling on route 50 in maryland at 55mph engine cut out completely. I lost power steering and brakes. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to side of road, turn off vehicle and restart it. I brought it to the dealership where I purchased it. They cannot diagnose it without at least $1100 worth of work (they…
Engine
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: engine.
While driving my 2003 BMW 325ci the engine will shut off. This causes: 1. Power steering stops functioining 2. I am unable to accelerate 3. Braking takes excessively long with engine off 4. Dashboard lights up.
While travelling on route 50 in maryland at 55mph engine cut out completely. I lost power steering and brakes. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to side of road, turn off vehicle and restart it. I brought it to the dealership where I purchased it. They cannot diagnose it without at least $1100 worth of work (they…
Suspension
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: front.
Vehicle with less than 35,000 miles suffers front control arm failue. After reviewing the data online I see this is a common defect. As an aviation technician I can state this is well above "normal wear and tear" and in fact presents a serious safety defect that the manufacturer has ignored. The control arms have been…
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325ci. While the vehicle was being inspected by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the rear driver's side coil spring was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 BMW 325ci recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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 activit
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
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].
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the window lifting anti-pinching device might not function properly.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 BMW 325ci
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 325ci?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (10 complaints); electrical (5 complaints, typically around 111,000 miles); fuel system (3 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 325ci have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the BMW 325ci?
- It is 6th of 7 325ci model years by number of complaints, with 27 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.