Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 325i, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags62
- Exterior lighting48
- Electrical system43
- Power train18
- Latches/locks/linkages13
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Suspension6
- Steering6
- Engine5
- Visibility5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2003 325i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 11.2–11.3 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 258–260 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 325i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.1 | 8.8 | 11.2 |
| 325i Sport Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 13.1 | 8.8 | 11.2 |
| 325i · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 13.1 | 9.1 | 11.3 |
| 325i Sport Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 13.1 | 9.1 | 11.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2003 BMW 325i: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10194296 | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form. |
| 10184591 | SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway. |
| 10181217 | E46 SULEV/PZEV: FUEL TANK DISPOSAL PROCEDURE: E46 M56 vehicles, in addition to meeting the SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission) tailpipe emission standard, also conform to the Zero Evaporative Emissions (PZEV) regulations. In order to meet these strict standards, the SULEV's fuel tank is a completely sealed unit manufactured from a high-grade stainless steel. |
| 10160287 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10160244 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10154816 | In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with completing repairs. |
| 10153726 | TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES. |
| 10150299 | E46 SULEV Fuel Tank Parts Collection . INFORMATION Starting on October 10th, 2013, BMW will be collecting defective E46 SULEV fuel tanks (P/N 16 11 6 763 569) for a special analysis project. To remove and prepare the fuel tank for shipping, please follow the procedure described below. Your dealer will receive a package addressed to your Shop Foreman, containing the plugs and caps needed to secure the fuel tank. If additional plug kits are needed, please contact Michael Murray via email at michael.murray@bmwna.com. |
| 10150160 | State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due To an Invalid VIN Number. The customer of an affected vehicle may fail to pass an I/M test due to a non-compliant 17digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the DME (Digital Motor Electronic). The VIN read out and displayed on the state test printout does not match the actual VIN of the vehicle. If the DME was reprogrammed using the previously available BMW service equipment (e.g., Progman, GT1), it is possible that only the last 7 digits of the VIN were entered into the DME, and positions 4 through10 may only contain default chara |
| 10149558 | For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata passenger?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle. |
| 10149557 | For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle. |
| 10148179 | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles. INFORMATION 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form. These surface hairline cracks are usually spread over the entire brake disc friction area, and have no negative influence on the durability or braking performance. The rotors should not be replaced only for their appearance reasons. When performing routine service on the brake system (pad replaceme |
| 10148100 | Special Technical Campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged vehicle manufacturers to conduct an investigation into air bags which may not deploy correctly. BMW is cooperating with this request. Takata is a supplier of air bags to several automotive manufacturers. They have informed NHTSA of a small number of cases of improperly deploying air bags in a few specific areas of the US. None of the reported cases involve any BMW vehicles. No determination has been made by BMW and Takata that a safety issue exists.This program involves the driver and front passeng |
| 10147919 | As a safety precaution, when handling fuel tank always wear safety goggles and plastic (not latex) gloves, Nitrile preferred. 2.Remove defective fuel tank from the vehicle and place it on a workbench in an area where good ventilation is provided. As outlined in SI B01 03 14, starting in March 2014, the initial phase of the E46 SULEV (PZEV) fuel tank remanufacturing process will begin. When this fuel tank is replaced and a corresponding claim is submitted for reimbursement, BMW NA will request that the fuel tank be returned to the Warranty Parts Return Center (WPRC) after claim payment. Please |
| 10147916 | "E46 SULEV (PZEV) Fuel Tanks: New Warranty Parts Return Procedure. BMW of North America, LLC (""BMW NA"") will begin offering factory remanufactured fuel tank assemblies for E46 3 Series SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle)/PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) model vehicles with the M56 engine. Starting in March 2014, the initial phase of the remanufacturing process will begin. When this fuel tank is replaced and a corresponding claim is submitted for reimbursement, BMW NA will request to have the fuel tank returned to the Warranty Parts Return Center (WPRC) after claim payment. Please en |
| 10147242 | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 04 14 dated December 2014. Designates changes to the bulletin. INFORMATION 1.Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form. These surface hairline cracks are usually spread over the entire brake disc friction area, and have no negative influence on the durability or braking performance. The rotors should not b |
| 10147133 | "BMW NA is not requesting that these fuel tanks be returned to the Warranty Parts Return Center (WPRC) after a claim payment. When performing a fuel tank replacement on an E46 ""3 Series with the M56 SULEV (PZEV) engine"" (claim and non-claim related), the following pre-disposal procedure must be performed prior to scrapping the fuel tank. BEFORE STARTING AND WHILE CONDUCTING THE STEEL FUEL TANK DISPOSAL , FOLLOW ALL LOCAL AND STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS. DO NOT USE ANY ELECTRICALLY POWERED TOOLS OR OPEN-FLAME DEVICES (E.G., ACETYLENE TORCHES) DURING |
| 10145287 | E46 PZEV/SULEV (M56) FUEL TANKS: REPLACEMENT AND PARTS RETURN PROCEDURE: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) will begin offering factory remanufactured fuel tank assemblies for E46 (3 Series) PZEV/SULEV (Model vehicles with the M56 engine). |
| 10037025 | BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM |
| 10036979 | BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM |
| 10033130 | BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES, EPC DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY IN THE ILLUSTRATION, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARTS DESCRIPTION. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10000372 | ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SECTION REPLACEMENT FOR IGNITION COILS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Rear Lamp Illumination
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation