NHTSA lists 54 complaints for the 2003 BMW M3, 3 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 3 complaints mention an injury, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW M3.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
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.
Date: 2018-06-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.
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, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convert (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
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, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or (excerpt)
Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.
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.
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.
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.
Investigations
2 investigations; 0 open.
PE09036
Opened: 2009-08-07. Closed: 2009-12-22.
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEIR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATING.THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF A TURN SIGNAL LAMP, A TAIL LAMP AND A BRAKE LAMP.THE COMPLAINANTS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING.THESE COMPONENTS ARE ALLEGEDLY OVERHEATING AND MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT RUNS
Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Linked campaign numbers: 11V438000.
DP09002
Opened: 2009-04-08. Closed: 2009-08-06.
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
IN MARCH 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. MARK PETERS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF REAR LAMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES.AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER WAS SENT TO BMW IN APRIL 2009, AND ODI RECEIVED BMW'S RESPONSE IN JUNE 2009.THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CONTAINS LIGHTING FOR THE BRAKE LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, AND TURN SIGNALS.A TECHNICA
Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
24 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 8 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 3 |
|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
|---|
10244237
Date: 2023-10-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
10225126
Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
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.
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
10145331
Date: 2018-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.
Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: