Worst 2003 Bmw M3 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
AIR BAGS
POWER TRAIN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Bmw M3.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 14 | 3 | — | 75,169 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 | — | — | 68,464 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 5 | — | — | 36,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 4 | — | — | 90,466 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 89,655 mi | |
| ENGINE | 3 | — | — | 103,667 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 | 1 | — | 95,824 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 | — | — | 76,584 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 | — | — | 96,770 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | — | — | 52,270 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 2 | — | — | 49,680 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | 2 | — | — | 36,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 | — | — | 72,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK | 1 | — | — | 6,430 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 | — | — | 7,300 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 3,200 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 | — | — | 6,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 1 | — | — | 6,430 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 | — | — | 25 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 | 1 | — | 99,647 mi | |
| STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | 1 | — | — | 23,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 | — | — | — | |
| TIRES | 1 | — | — | — | |
| TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | — | — | 93,000 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 1 | — | — | 69,500 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR | 1 | — | 1 | 29,080 mi | |
| WHEELS | 1 | — | — | 87,398 mi |
Recalls for 2003 Bmw M3
4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,329,394 vehicles.
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) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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 convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
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 are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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.
Other Bmw M3 Years
Wider context: See the full Bmw M3 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Bmw M3
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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