2003 BMW 325XI problems
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 325XI. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 40% of complaints. After that come lighting (14%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 35 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 21 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 | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 21 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 100,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the BMW 325XI with enough data (1 complaint 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 325xi. The contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the wiring harness was melted. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, smoke appeared under the hood of the vehicle and filled the driver's cabin. The contact exited the vehicle and observed oil between the valve gasket and the head gasket as well as oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off. When the oil dip stick was removed, hot oil shot out onto the contact. The contact was burned, but did not receive medical attention.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. When turning the ignition off, an abnormal noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. The contact observed smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the expansion tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
This has been an ongoing issue regarding the door locks on my 2003 BMW 325 xi. The doors automatically lock when the vehicle is placed into gear. Which I assume is as designed. ? However the doors will not unlock once the vehicle is placed back in park (engine running or not) neither by manual manipulation of the lock buttons on the doors or by pressing the door unlock switch on the console. ?
Driving the car the front driver wheel axial system fell off where the ball bearing held the wheel on 3/4" ball bearings fell off the car, and the other side was ready to fall apart as well I was driving and as I turned into the auto shop driveway the wheel fell apart good thing my teenage daughter was not driving it on the highway or expressway.