2003 BMW 325XI
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
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.
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2003
None on file
45% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 31 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 68 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 55 |
| 2005 | 27 |
| 2006 | 110 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
45% · 14 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325XI. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, she hydro-planed and crashed into a tree. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy and the vehicle was destroyed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-28
Thank you very much jo what I did take care of the airbag or
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-22
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V428000 and 15V318000 (Air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-15
Exterior lighting
16% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing tail lights.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325XI. The contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-12-06
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325XI. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the exterior warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating the tail lights were not functioning.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-11-03
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325XI. The contact stated that the tail lights and turn signals failed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-10-19
Engine
13% · 4 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325XI. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, smoke appeared under the hood of the vehicle and filled the driver's cabin.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-06-17
Suspension
6% · 2 reportsLatches/locks/linkages
6% · 2 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2012-02-15Exterior lighting11V438000 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…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on February 15, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
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2013-08-09Air bags13V172000 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…
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…
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2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 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...
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.
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2016-08-19Air bags15V318000 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...
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.
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2020-02-13Air bags20V018000 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...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 BMW 325XI — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 5 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 4 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 11V438000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 13V172000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
FAQ
- Is the 2003 BMW 325XI reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 325XI?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 325XI have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.