MYRModel Year Report

2003 BMW 3 Series

● Typical for this model
2003 BMW 3 Series
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:21:05.884Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 3 Series Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 1 complaints 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: 51 complaints 2003 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 complaints 2012: 7 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
2003: 51 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19920
19930
19941
19953
19962
19975
19983
19996
200088
200136
200226
200351
200477
200525
2006202
2007115
200868
200953
201030
20111
20127
201321
20230

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 35%

35% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20140520

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 27%

27% of complaints: exterior lighting — 14 distinct reports on file.

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, 20190616

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, 20100723

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
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, 20140520

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 4 distinct reports on file.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 8%

8% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 20090408 — DP (closed 20090806)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20090807 — PE (closed 20091222)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20091218 — EA (closed 20110928)

Rear Lamp Illumination

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 BMW 3 Series — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2001 ● 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2007 ◆ 2000

See all years ranked →

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 air bags, accounting for 35% 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.