2003 BMW 325I

261 complaints filed with NHTSA.

261
Complaints
8
Crashes
11
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS60
EXTERIOR LIGHTING43
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES12
POWER TRAIN10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
SUSPENSION6
STEERING6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
ENGINE5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP3
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS3

Recalls (8)

03V12400031/03/2003

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

03V16000029/04/2003

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

15V31800028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

11V43800026/08/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 VEHICL

20V01800015/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 PS

14V42800011/06/2018

AIR BAGS

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; 2001-200

13V17200002/05/2013

AIR BAGS

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 causin

Recent Complaints

20240701FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On June 28,2024, after parking and turning off the ignition switch, the dash started smoking and within minutes the whole dash and front of car were on fire. The car almost completely burned to the ground before the fire department could get there. The car was recently serviced at a BMW for an air bag recall. Heater ducts were loose when returned. There are also recalls for the 2006 325i for similar dash fires. The cause could be either dealer work or a factory issue.

20210212FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ARSONIST INVESTIGATOR FILED A REPORT AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20150818FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOLE. THE CONTACT DEACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER AND POURED WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT PARTS OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WERE MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APP

Mileage: 140,000

20150112LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

VEHICLE HAS RECURRING LOCKING ISSUE. WHEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE, DOOR LOCKS STOP FUNCTIONING. PRESSING DOOR LOCK BUTTON WILL NOT WORK. PRESSING BUTTON ON REMOTE WILL NOT WORK. ATTEMPTING TO MANUALLY OPEN DOOR USING DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE LAST INCIDENT BOTH MYSELF AND MY CHILD WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE IN THE HEAT AND HAD TO CALL 911 AS WE DID NOT HAVE THE KEY TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. THE FRONT WINDOW HAD TO BE BROKEN AND WE HAD TO BE REMOVED THROUGH A WIN

Mileage: 122,000

20141208CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FALL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL /ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 4/29/15*CN UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

Mileage: 100,000

20131218CrashAIR BAGS

VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE BY PICKUP TRUCK DARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTING SIDE STREET. TRUCK WAS GOING APROX. 10-15 MPH. BMW APROX. 20-25MPH. THIS WAS A SIDE T-BONE COLLISION, NO SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BMW DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HEAD,FACE,CHEST,NECK,SHOULDER. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BMW LEFT SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20130123FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOUND THAT THE HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20120216FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THERE WAS A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 A

Mileage: 53,000

20120109FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20111216FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WIRING AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS), BUT THE CONNECTOR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE F

Mileage: 110,000

20111019FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,250.

Mileage: 60,250

20110708CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

MY 2003 BMW 325I SEDAN WAS T-BONED ON DRIVERS SIDE DOORS, AND SENT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND SMASHED INTO UTILITY POLE ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BEND THE FRAME. NO SIDE OR CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND NEVER HIT THE BRAKES. MY HEAD SLAMMED TO THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHERE AN AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN, CAUSING SWELLING AND NUMBNESS TO THIS DAY. THE DOOR SLAMMED INTO MY ENTIRE LEFT SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG IN THE DOOR SHOULD HAVE

Mileage: 63,000

20100101FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BMW 325I REAR BLINKERS SHORTED OUT CAUSING ELECTRICAL WIRES TO BURN. WHILE DRIVING MY BMW A WARNING LIGHT ON MY CONSOLE TURNED ON INDICATING THE LEFT REAR BRAKE/BLINKER LIGHT(S) WENT OUT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME I SMELLED WIRING BURNING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND ALL MY LIGHTS SEEMED OK, SO I PRESUMED IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR. A SHORT WHILE LATER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY I PULLED INTO THE LEFT LANE AND REALLY PISSED THE DRIVER OFF BEHIND ME AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS MOMENT I NOT

Mileage: 61,000

20080501CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO STOP, IT SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE SHOP AND HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 32,000

20070627FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS HAVE SHORTENED OUT AND MELTED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE HER VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THE 2001-2003 MODELS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,200.

Mileage: 57,200

20070130AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED; ABOVE THE WINDOW AND ABOVE THE ARM REST. I DID NOT GO OVER ANY BUMPS OR HOLES. THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT OR IMPACT NOR ANY HISTORY OF. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING! MY LEFT ELBOW, LEFT ARM, AND LEFT EAR WERE INJURED. I PANICKED AND CROSSED OVER TO THE MEDIAN ON MY LEFT WITHOUT LOOKING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC; ALSO, THE AIRBAGS WERE OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. THE ENGINE

20060719CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

MY WIFE WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON 07/07/06. HER 2003 325I BMW WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY A SUV THAT JUMPED OVER THE MEDIAN, TOTALING THE CAR. WE CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND REPORTED THAT NONE OF THE AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED. WE ALSO TO THIS DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM BMW. *NM

Mileage: 34,000

20060411CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SEE ME AND STRUCK ME AT FULL SPEED, PROBABLY AROUND 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD THAT IT SPUN AROUND AND SLID ABOUT HALF A BLOCK. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS, INCLUDING THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS, DEPLOYED, AND THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB

20060411CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SEE ME AND STRUCK ME AT FULL SPEED, PROBABLY AROUND 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD THAT IT SPUN AROUND AND SLID ABOUT HALF A BLOCK. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS, INCLUDING THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS, DEPLOYED, AND THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB

20050512AIR BAGS

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS BMW AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BOTH DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY AND THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE TWO AIR BAGS THAT DEPLOYED WAS ONE OF THE SIDE ABOVE THE WINDOW AND THE ONE AT THE ARM REST. HE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY WANT HIM TO SIGN A STATEMENT PRETTY MUCH TELLING HIM TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT AND NOT TO REPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OR HIS INJURIES TO ANYONE. IF HE SIGNS THE STATEMENT THEY TOLD HIM THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A REPLACEMENT CAR. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAUSED