The Used Car Index

2003 BMW 325CI problems

NHTSA lists 27 complaints for the 2003 BMW 325CI, 0 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW 325CI.

At a glance

Complaints
27
With crash
0
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
3
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
419,235
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
22

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS1037.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM518.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING311.1%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE311.1%
SUSPENSION311.1%
EQUIPMENT27.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING27.4%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES27.4%
STEERING13.7%
STRUCTURE13.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2
AIR BAGSSIDE/WINDOW1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY1
STRUCTUREBODY1
SUSPENSIONFRONT1
VISIBILITYPOWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

20V018000

Date: 2020-01-15. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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 frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellan (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

15V318000

Date: 2015-05-28. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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 and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles a (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

13V172000

Date: 2013-05-02. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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 rupture upon deployment of the air bag. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer serv (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

03V160000

Date: 2003-04-29. Systems: VISIBILITY.

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 CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V124000

Date: 2003-03-31. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

22 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
AIR BAGS8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EQUIPMENT2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
STEERING2
ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

10249437

Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

10194296

Date: 2021-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, STEERING.

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

10184591

Date: 2020-11-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.

10181217

Date: 2020-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

E46 SULEV/PZEV: FUEL TANK DISPOSAL PROCEDURE: E46 M56 vehicles, in addition to meeting the SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission) tailpipe emission standard, also conform to the Zero Evaporative Emissions (PZEV) regulations. In order to meet these strict standards, the SULEV's fuel tank is a completely se

10160244

Date: 2019-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

10160287

Date: 2019-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

10153726

Date: 2019-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

10149557

Date: 2018-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if the

10149558

Date: 2018-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if t

10145287

Date: 2018-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

E46 PZEV/SULEV (M56) FUEL TANKS: REPLACEMENT AND PARTS RETURN PROCEDURE: BMW of North America, LLC (A BMW NAA ) will begin offering factory remanufactured fuel tank assemblies for E46 (3 Series) PZEV/SULEV (Model vehicles with the M56 engine).

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
325CI27

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2003

Sources

Get this record as JSON

The free rate-limited demo needs no key.

curl "https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/demo/vehicle_risk?make=BMW&model=325CI&year=2003"

Paid endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/vehicle_risk. MCP endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/mcp.