MYRModel Year Report

2003 BMW 5 Series

○ Not enough data
2003 BMW 5 Series
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:03.030Z

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
15

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 15 complaints 2003 15 2004: 64 complaints 2005: 21 complaints 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 105 complaints 2009: 8 complaints 2010: 6 complaints 2010 2011: 81 complaints 2012: 10 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 15 complaints 2003 15 2004: 64 complaints 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 105 complaints 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2011: 81 complaints 2011 2012: 10 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2002 2003: 15 complaints 2003 15 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 85 complaints 2006 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 105 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2010 2011: 81 complaints 2011 2012: 10 complaints 2012 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, 2012-02-27

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, 2012-03-26

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, 2010-09-29

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, 2008-11-03

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, 2016-10-27

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, 2004-11-30

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-05

Tires

1 of 15 total reports mentions: tires.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2012-08-22Engine and engine cooling12E029000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2019-08-28Steering19E058000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 BMW 5 Series — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12E029000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19E058000 · Steering
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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.