2003 BMW 325CI problems
The 2003 BMW 325CI has 35 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (29%) concerns air bags. After that come electrical system (14%) and fuel system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 35 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 23 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 23 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a fire. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 89% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the BMW 325CI with enough data (10 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325ci. While operating the vehicle, smoke was present under the hood. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the smoke was coming from the fog lights. The contact later discovered that the fog lights, signal lights, high beams, and passenger side brake light were not operating. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Vehicle stalled while driving at 50 MPH. Condition forced consumer to pull vehicle off the road. Unable to restart until 30-60 seconds later. Dealer inspected and fixed the fuel injection. But problem recurred.
While driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem. Please provide further details.
While driving my 2003 BMW 325ci the engine will shut off. This causes: 1. Power steering stops functioining 2. I am unable to accelerate 3. Braking takes excessively long with engine off 4. Dashboard lights up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325ci. The contact stated that the key fob and key failed to unlock the doors. The contact had to make several attempts to unlock the doors by using the key fob and key. The dealer diagnosed that the module five needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Ma 09/22