MYRModel Year Report

2003 BMW 3 Series

● Typical for this model
2003 BMW 3 Series
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:55:59.645Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
73
Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 1 complaint 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 5 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1999: 6 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 26 complaints 2003: 73 complaints 2003 73 2004: 77 complaints 2005: 25 complaints 2006: 202 complaints 2006 2007: 115 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 7 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2023: 0 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 1 complaint 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 5 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1999: 6 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 26 complaints 2003: 73 complaints 2003 73 2004: 77 complaints 2005: 25 complaints 2005 2006: 202 complaints 2007: 115 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 7 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2013 2023: 0 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 1 complaint 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 5 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 6 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 26 complaints 2002 2003: 73 complaints 2003 73 2004: 77 complaints 2004 2005: 25 complaints 2005 2006: 202 complaints 2006 2007: 115 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2008 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 7 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2013 2023: 0 complaints 2023

2003: 73 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19920
19930
19941
19953
19962
19975
19983
19996
200088
200136
200226
200373
200477
200525
2006202
2007115
200868
200953
201030
20111
20127
201321
20230

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

34% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

Show complaint excerpts

Brake lights on both sides gets stuck on once the pedal is pressed. This produces no error codes. I was told it could be the brake pedal pressure sensor switch. I changed this and it did nothing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-06-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-07-23

Air bags

29% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Traveling south on 75,driver door bag deployed for no reason. Applied brakes and ran off side off road to keep from having a car rear end me and then right tire blew out due to drop off. Car shut down by itself. Air bags did not completely deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-20

Also filed under Electrical system and wheels

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 3 Series. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V318000 (Air bags) and 13V172000 (Air bags).

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-30

Electrical system

16% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

INJURY

Structure

7% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

Suspension

5% · 4 reports

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2009-04-08Defect petitionClosed 2009-08-06 Rear lamp illumination
  2. I
    2009-08-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-12-22 Rear lamp illumination
  3. I
    2009-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 2011-09-28 Rear Lamp Illumination

Buy-smart checklist

2003 BMW 3 Series — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 BMW 3 Series is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 3 Series?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 3 Series have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.