2003 Bmw 3 SERIES: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
92,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 51 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
Air Bags: 18; Exterior Lighting: 14; Electrical System: 10; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 4; Suspension: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Tires: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 17 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2005: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2012: 9; 2013: 5; 2014: 8; 2015: 6; 2016: 10; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10142434 · 2005-11-10 (November 10, 2005)
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO FILE A COMPLAINT BUT NOW IT IS WORSE. ONE OF THE TIRES FROM COOPER THAT I FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT BLEW OUT FORCING MY CAR UP ON TWO WHEELS. I MANAGE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT FLIPPING. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I AM KILLED OR SOMEONE IS HURT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10142434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143744 · 2005-11-28 (November 28, 2005)
I WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRE HAD A DEFECT BUT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ONE PERSON TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TIRE DEFECT BUT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SAY ANYTHING SINCE HE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BULGE CAUSED BY A POT HOLE BUT IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND LITERALLY LIFTED THE CAR UP ON TWO WHEELS. I WAS SO SCARED AND UPSET AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL THAT I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THEY SAID OH WELL. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE PUT ON LAST SUMMER. THEY BOUNCE CONSTANTLY BUT YET…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10143744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344930 · 2010-07-23 (July 23, 2010)
REAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY (TURN SIGNAL, PARKING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT) MALFUNCTIONS OCCASIONALLY AND NONE OF THE LIGHTS WORK THUS, POSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN VEHICLE IN MOTION, TURNING AND ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRE CONNECTOR IN THE ASSEMBLY IS BURNING OUT THUS CAUSING A SHORT, I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY CLEANING THE BURNED PARTS OF THE WIRE AND RECONNECTING AND PROTECTING WITH ELECTRIC TAPE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362231 · 2010-10-25 (October 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR BULB SEVERAL TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10436090 · 2011-11-16 (November 16, 2011)
THE COOLING FAN BROKE LOOSE SPONTANEOUSLY AND FLEW THROUGH THE AIR CUTTING THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND RIPPING THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS PRIOR THE HOOD HAD BEEN OPEN WITH PEOPLE STANDING AROUND LOOKING AT THE HOSES. HAD THE FAN BROKE LOOSE AT THIS TIME, I WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED PEOPLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10438952 · 2011-12-07 (December 7, 2011)
IN 2010 THE SUNROOF WENT BAD I TALKED TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM, IN AUGUST OF 2011 I NOTICED THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND BLINKERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPER,NOR WAS MY HORN,AND THE DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATORS ARE BINDING UP, ALSO A BRAKE HOSE FROM MY BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE ENGINE IS COLLAPSED IN TWO SPOTS. ??*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439132 · 2011-12-09 (December 9, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAIL LIGHT APPEARED TO BE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439284 · 2011-12-11 (December 11, 2011)
ZKW BI XENON HEADLIGHTS REFLECTORS BURN OUT OVER TIME. THE BOWLS ARE SHOT AND THEY WERE BLACK, BURNED TO A CRISP. THEY WERE MADE OUT OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH A CHROME COATING, INSTEAD OF A METAL REFLECTOR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR BMW. THEY GOT THE TAIL LIGHT WHICH WORKS FINE IN MY CAR, I NEED MY HEADLIGHTS TO SEE! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439284 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.