2003 BMW 3 Series air bags problems
21 complaints about air bags have been filed for the 2003 BMW 3 Series, which is 22% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 21 22% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 79,000 miles 12 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When air bags problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 12 air bags complaints that report mileage, the median is about 79,000 miles, and 25% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
I was traveling n/b on route 1 in elkridge maryland @ intersection ducketts lane on 10/9/14 @ 4:47 pm. I was involved in a 4 car pile up crash, I was stopped - the vehicle behind me was struck by a speeding motorist which caused a chain reaction & struck my BMW and knocking me into the vehicle in front of me. Both front airbags exploded with caused a severe burn to my right hand. My vehicle was a total loss and the at-fault driver's insurance has possession of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 3-series. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, indicating that the front passenger side air bag was not functioning. The contact noticed NHTSA campaign I.d. Number 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) and took the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The contact was informed that the front passenger air bag detection matt needed to be replaced, but the vehicle was not included in the recall.
Other problems reported for the 2003 BMW 3 Series
- Lighting 25 complaints