KnownCarProblems2003 BMW 325xi Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 325xi, most often about the air bags (45% of complaints). It is 4th of 7 325xi model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory4 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 325xi problems
Air bags
14 complaints · 45%I was driving my 2003 BMW 325xi when the driver side airbags deployed suddenly. I do not believe that I hit anything and I did not see any damage on the vehicle when I inspected the car after the deployment. BMW inspected the car and found some damage underneath the car and claimed that this damage caused the…
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, she hydro-planed and crashed into a tree. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed for cause of air bag failure. The contact was not injured. The manufacturer was…
Lights
5 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 124,000 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that the tail lights and turn signals failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting: turn signal). The manufacturer was notified of the…
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the exterior warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating the tail lights were not functioning. The contact stated the tail lights and brake lights failed to function intermittently and the wires had melted. The vehicle…
Engine
4 complaints · 13%Brought in my car to local mechanic three times for oil leak (oil on driveway, oil light sensor on dashboard illuminated). In each case, I thought the problem was fixed but after two weeks the dashboard oil light came on again. I thought my mechanic was inexperienced with BMW's, so I took it to a BMW dealer and all…
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 10%I have an issue with my 2003 BMW 325xi. The fuel injectors are leaking/squirting gasoline out of the housing. I did some research and found that I am not the first with this issue. Every person I've seen post this issue lives in a colder part of the u.s. And it happens when it gets cold. I happen to live in wyoming…
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. When turning the ignition off, an abnormal noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. The contact observed smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the expansion tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
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 325xi 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
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].
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Lights: turn signal
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 325xi
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 325xi?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (14 complaints); lights (5 complaints, typically around 124,000 miles); engine (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 325xi 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 325xi?
- It is 4th of 7 325xi model years by number of complaints, with 31 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.