How many recalls does the 2003 BMW M3 have?

The 2003 BMW M3 has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 BMW M3 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 BMW M3?

Of 69 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2003 BMW M3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 BMW M3 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,342,494 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 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 BAGS 14V428000 2018-06-11 574,007 affected

Defect

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,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in 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 will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available,…

AIR BAGS 15V318000 2015-05-28 419,235 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 BAGS 13V172000 2013-05-02 43,204 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…

VISIBILITY 03V160000 2003-04-29 13,100 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…

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUSPENSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STRUCTURE:BODY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Total complaints69

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“On may 01, 2026, at approximately 0230 while traveling on hwy. I75 I heard a loud pop towards the rear for the vehicle as the car started to slide. I pulled over to the right side of the road nearly hitting another vehicle. I exited my vehicle and noticed the right rear passenger tire tread had…”

TIRES · reported 2026-05-01

“The contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v018000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2024-02-09

“I was driving on the freeway, then all of a sudden my drivers side air bags deployed.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2019-10-02

“Msg pump failure”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2019-05-24

“Smg hydraulic pump: I was driving on the highway at 65 mph in the #1 lane and my car all of a sudden dropped out of gear and my car started to coast losing speed very fast, I looked at my speedometer and it was 45 mph. Cars were honking and high beaming me but I was helpless and was trying to move…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2019-04-20

“Rear subframe support is separating from the body where it mounts to. Cracks around the subframe bolts can be seen. Pinchweld around rear fender is seperating.”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2018-10-01

“Rear subframe support is separating from the body where it mounts to. Cracks around the subframe bolts can be seen. Pinchweld around rear fender is seperating.”

SUSPENSION · reported 2018-10-01

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. The contact stated that the electrical system shorted out and all the electrical devices failed to work. The vehicle decelerated without warning and the engine went into limp mode and lost power. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel.…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-06-20