How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 325i have?

The 2003 BMW 325i has 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 BMW 325i has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 BMW 325i?

Of 261 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2003 BMW 325i Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 BMW 325i has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,584,550 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 261 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 6, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 affected

Defect

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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

AIR BAGS 14V428000 2018-06-11 574,007 affected

Defect

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 Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available,…

AIR BAGS 15V318000 2015-05-28 419,235 affected

Defect

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 Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in…

AIR BAGS 13V172000 2013-05-02 43,204 affected

Defect

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 safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

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 parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11V438000 2011-08-26 241,000 affected

Defect

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 CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO…

Consequence

INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

VISIBILITY 03V160000 2003-04-29 13,100 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Consequence

OCCUPANTS COULD BE PINCHED BY A WINDOW THAT IS BEING CLOSED.

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 AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 03V124000 2003-03-31 1,056 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT WAGON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND THE VEHICLE AT REST, AN INCREASE OF ENGINE IDLE SPEED (UP TO 1,300 RPM) MAY OCCUR.

Consequence

IF A GEAR IS SELECTED, THE DRIVER MAY FEEL AS IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING PUSHED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STEERING

SUSPENSION

ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Total complaints261

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“On june 28,2024, after parking and turning off the ignition switch, the dash started smoking and within minutes the whole dash and front of car were on fire. The car almost completely burned to the ground before the fire department could get there. The car was recently serviced at a bmw for an air…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2024-06-28

“The xenon projector bowls in the headlight assembly on both sides of the vehicle have slowly been burning. The bowl is made of plastic and with the heat of the xenons burns the plastic creating not only a fire hazard but also greatly reduces the effectiveness of the headlight beam, rendering it…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2022-01-04

“Tl* the contact owned a 2003 bmw 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the fire arsonist investigator filed a report and provided a case number. The vehicle was not towed to a dealer and was…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2021-02-12

“The door locks stop working periodically where only the drivers door will unlock with the key. At that time, the rear and passenger doors will not unlock with the remote or the button in the center console or by pulling on the door release inside the doors. The bmw usually unlocks the door with…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2020-06-26

“Driving on 12/12/2019 on interstate highway about 65mph, going straight, when all of a sudden rear wheels (this is rwd - 2003 bmw 325i) locked up completely - the vehicle went forward at about 45 degrees sideways before it straightened out when the speed dropped. Thankfully I did not hit anybody,…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2019-12-11

“I own a 2003 sulev bmw and it needs a fuel pump. This only can be repaired by a dealership due to the fact it has a sealed fuel tank. The cost can be 6 to 8000.00 dollars. I was told there is an extended warranty for a sulev car. 150000 mi or 15 years. I called bmw and they never heard of that…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2019-11-21

“The purpose of this request is to get bmw to honor a remedy for taillight defect caused as a manufacturing defect. My taillight grounding wires are causing a short on turning signals. Further research indicated this has been reported nhtsa campaign id number: 11v438000. Affected vehicles 325i -…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2019-07-15

“Both back windows on my 2003 bmw 325i will not go up. Garage says both regulators and actuators must be replaced. Researching the internet shows this to be a common failure on this model and it is considered a safety hazard.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-06-14