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Model Year Problem Record

BMW 325I 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 BMW 325I: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

199Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
7Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
13Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
19Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags62 complaints

62 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V172000, 14V428000, 15V318000, 20V018000.

Lighting51 complaints

51 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 11V438000.

Electrical System43 complaints

43 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V160000.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V124000.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V124000Reported March 31, 2003 - 1,056 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on March 31, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,056 vehicles across all affected models.

03V160000Reported April 29, 2003 - 13,100 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on April 29, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 13,100 vehicles across all affected models.

11V438000Reported August 26, 2011 - 241,000 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on August 26, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 241,000 vehicles across all affected models.

13V172000Reported May 2, 2013 - 43,204 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 2, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 43,204 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
14V428000Reported June 11, 2018 - 574,007 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 11, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 574,007 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
15V318000Reported May 28, 2015 - 419,235 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 28, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 419,235 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
20V018000Reported January 15, 2020 - 292,948 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 15, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 292,948 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP09002Opened April 8, 2009 - Closed August 6, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP09002Opened April 8, 2009 - Closed August 6, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP09002Opened April 8, 2009 - Closed August 6, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP09002Opened April 8, 2009 - Closed August 6, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP09002Opened April 8, 2009 - Closed August 6, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09019Opened December 18, 2009 - Closed September 28, 2011

Rear Lamp Illumination. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

EA09019Opened December 18, 2009 - Closed September 28, 2011

Rear Lamp Illumination. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

EA09019Opened December 18, 2009 - Closed September 28, 2011

Rear Lamp Illumination. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

EA09019Opened December 18, 2009 - Closed September 28, 2011

Rear Lamp Illumination. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

PE09036Opened August 7, 2009 - Closed December 22, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

PE09036Opened August 7, 2009 - Closed December 22, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

PE09036Opened August 7, 2009 - Closed December 22, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

PE09036Opened August 7, 2009 - Closed December 22, 2009

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 11V438000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20036
200417
20053
20064
20074
20088
200911
201021
201121
201214
20138
20147
201521
201633
20176
20185
20196
20201
20211
20221
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.