The 2003 BMW 325ci has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 769,543 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0180002020-01-15292,948 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS15V3180002015-05-28419,235 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in…
AIR BAGS13V1720002013-05-0243,204 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a…
VISIBILITY03V1600002003-04-2913,100 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
Consequence
OCCUPANTS COULD BE PINCHED BY A WINDOW THAT IS BEING CLOSED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 27, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT WAGON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND THE VEHICLE AT REST, AN INCREASE OF ENGINE IDLE SPEED (UP TO 1,300 RPM) MAY OCCUR.
Consequence
IF A GEAR IS SELECTED, THE DRIVER MAY FEEL AS IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING PUSHED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2
SUSPENSION
2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
Total complaints35
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325ci. While the vehicle was being inspected by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the rear driver's side coil spring was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…”
“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…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”
“2003 bmw 325ci. Consumer writes in regards to front passenger airbag replacement not available to complete recall 14v-42b. *smd”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 13v172000 (air bags). However, the parts needed were not available. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was unable to…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 BMW 325ci as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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