MYRModel Year Report

2003 BMW 5 Series

○ Not enough data
2003 BMW 5 Series
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:31:17.258Z

Only 9 complaints on file — too few 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.

Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 5 Series Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1989: 1 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 15 complaints 2003 2004: 64 complaints 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2008: 105 complaints 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2011: 81 complaints 2012: 10 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
2003: 15 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19891
19900
19910
19920
19930
19940
19953
19960
19971
19980
19992
20002
20013
20027
200315
200464
200521
200685
200713
2008105
20098
20106
201181
201210
20230

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 15 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 of 15 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

MY 2003 BMW 530I SEDAN CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WHILE PARKED IN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE CALLED. CASE #[XXX] WAS ASSIGNED BY OFFICER [XXX] OF THE NEW HAVEN PD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120227

CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPX 35MPH WITHOUT WARNING, NEARLY CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND INSTRUMENT. DEALER REPLACED BOTH DME AND BATTERY WHICH WAS SUSPICIOUS SINCE TWO UNRELATED COMPONENT FAILED AT SAME TIME?

NHTSA ODI report, 20120326

INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. "ENGINE FAILSAFE" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED, KEY TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100929

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AIR BAGS

4 of 15 total reports mention: air bags.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 540. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG AND REAR DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, INJURING HER LEFT ARM AND LEG.

NHTSA ODI report, 20081103

TAKATA RECALL. MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I RECEIVED INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF A WARNING THAT MY CAR HAD AIRBAGS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161027

STEERING

2 of 15 total reports mention: steering.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2 of 15 total reports mention: latches/locks/linkages.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

MY 2003 BMW 5 SERIES CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED. THE COLLISION PUSHED THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA BY BREAKING THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE FOLD-DOWN SEATS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041130

BMW 530I 2003. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE. NO MANUAL OVERRIDE. FORCED TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE AND EXIT FROM ANOTHER DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20100205

TIRES

1 of 15 total reports mentions: tires.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20120822 — engine and engine cooling

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-20

Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may co

Campaign 12E029000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190828 — steering

ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles.

Remedy: ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.

Campaign 19E058000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 BMW 5 Series — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12E029000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19E058000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2003 BMW 5 Series 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 5 Series?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 5 Series have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.