2003 BMW M3
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 54 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 19 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2003 | 54 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 82 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
28% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
My car was in a collision where the driver of car 1 was making a turn into the main street , she turned too wide and could not complete the turn and decided to back up..she slammed into my car ,damage was left front bumper ,broken parking light,...
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-15
Also filed under Exterior lighting and seat belts
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. While driving 65 MPH, the driver's side air bag deployed without a crash or impact occurring. The vehicle shut off, but was able to be restarted and resume normal operation.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-04-21
My car was hit on the driver side resulting in the driver's door being indented 11" From it's normal position. The inside of the door was about 2 inches from the steering wheel. The side air bag did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-09
Power train
26% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Smg hydraulic pump: I was driving on the highway at 65 MPH in the #1 lane and my car all of a sudden dropped out of gear and my car started to coast losing speed very fast, I looked at my speedometer and it was 45 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-30
Suspension
9% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing rear.
Show complaint excerpts
Rear subframe support is separating from the body where it mounts to. Cracks around the subframe bolts can be seen. Pinchweld around rear fender is seperating.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-27
Also filed under Structure
Structure
9% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Electrical system
7% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing rear compartment/trunk.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003Complaint volume 54 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-05-27Visibility03V160000 On certain passenger vehicles, the window lifting anti-pinching device might not function properly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the electronic control unit for the window lifting anti-pinching device. Owner notification began May 27, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to…
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I
2009-04-08Defect petitionClosed 2009-08-06 Rear lamp illumination
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2009-08-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-12-22 Rear lamp illumination
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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 M3 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 5 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V160000 · Visibility
- Recall 13V172000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 BMW M3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 BMW M3 is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW M3?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW M3 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.