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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Bmw 325CI problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

27 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 27 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior414.8%
Transmission and shifting27.4%
Engine operation27.4%
Steering behavior27.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
9
Electrical System
5
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Equipment:Electrical
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
Latches/Locks/Linkages
2
Suspension
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags9
Electrical System5
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Equipment:Electrical2
Exterior Lighting2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System2
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Suspension2

Air Bags: 9; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Equipment:Electrical: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 2; Suspension: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004
6
2005
2
2010
2
2011
1
2012
1
2013
1
2014
2
2015
5
2016
5
2017
1
2019
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20046
20052
20102
20111
20121
20131
20142
20155
20165
20171
20191

2004: 6; 2005: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 5; 2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10070413 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

JUNE 9, 2003 DEAR BMW, I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2003 BMW 325CI ON NOVEMBER 8, 2002 FROM ASSAEL BMW DEALER IN MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA. AFTER A MONTH OF OWNING IT, THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. WHEN I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR/ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER, AND IT?S AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION! THIS REALLY FRIGHTENED ME BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. A NEW CAR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THAT. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING WITH PASSENGERS, AND THIS…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070413 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10353603 · 2010-09-02 (September 2, 2010)

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. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353603 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10383861 · 2011-02-21 (February 21, 2011)

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 THINK ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM). AFTER $1100 THEY STATE IT WOULD BE AN EASY $200 FIX OR A SUBSTANTIAL $6-8000 FIX. I WILL BE BRINGING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AND COULD P…

Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383861 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10072235 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. CONDITION FORCED CONSUMER TO PULL VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. UNABLE TO RESTART UNTIL 30-60 SECONDS LATER. DEALER INSPECTED AND FIXED THE FUEL INJECTION. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072235 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10082081 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082081 at NHTSA ↗