2003 Bmw M3: complaints, problems and recalls

MY CAR WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE RESULTING IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR BEING INDENTED 11" FROM IT'S NORMAL POSITION. THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR WAS ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. BMW INVESTIGATED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE ANGLE ON IMPACT WAS FROM BACK TO FRONT WHICH DID NOT TRIGGER THE AIR BAG. THE BODY SHOP, THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR ALL SAID THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021313 at NHTSA ↗

BMW M3 2003 WITH SMG TRANSMISSION SURGES BADLY IN FIRST GEAR OCCASIONALLY WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. THIS IS QUITE DISCONCERTING WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND THE AUTO WON'T ACCELLERATE PROPERLY.

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028346 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2003 BMW M3. JUST THIS WEEK A COVER (PART#51717892955) ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE BROKE. BMW MADE IT OUT OF PLASTIC (WHY?). THE SERVICE MANAGERS SAY A ROCK OR BUMP COULD CAUSE THIS PART TO BREAK IN TWO PARTS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. WHEN THE PART BROKE IT WENT IN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ANOTHER CAR RAN OVER IT. I'M UNSURE IF ANY DAMAGE OCCURED TO THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE BMW SERVICE MANAGER AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE SEES 3 OR 4 BMW M3S A WEEK WITH THIS BROKEN COVER. THIS PART BEING BROKEN WILL NOT AFFECT THE CARS DRIVAB…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030443 at NHTSA ↗

THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL. AFTER INVESTIGATING LOUD NOISES FROM THE TRUNK AREA, I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS TANK HAS IMPLODED, AND THE COMPONENTS WITHIN HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND EVERYTIME THEY THINK THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, SOON AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058376 at NHTSA ↗

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN IT WAS HARD TO TURN. ITS WAS AS IF SOMETHING WAS HOLDING ON TO IT.*AK THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY

Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081574 at NHTSA ↗

2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND DECIDED TO PUT THE TOP DOWN. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS AND HAVE PERFORMED THIS OPERATION A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES (I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA). I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH WHEN I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW AND NOTICED THAT THE STOWAGE LID WAS COMPLETELY UP. I PULLED OVER AND PERFORMED THE OPERATION, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED SOS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST ME. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, I TOOK THE CAR TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE CAR …

Owner-reported narrative. 6,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086688 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOW OUT. MECHANIC REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087533 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE. VEHICLE WAS MAKING A GRINDING/HUMMING NOISE. DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT LET HIM DRIVE VEHICLE OUT OF THE SHOP BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON VEHICLE CONCERNING CONNECTING ROD BEING DEFECTIVE. IT COULD BREAK OR BEND, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY . DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE FORCED TO KEEP HIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL IN TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095288 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Consequence: OCCUPANTS COULD BE PINCHED BY A WINDOW THAT IS BEING CLOSED.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2013-05-02 (May 2, 2013)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.