2003 BMW 325i

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 frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. 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.

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, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Risk. 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, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

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 and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. 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 its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

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 rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Risk. 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 replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.

Risk. INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Risk. 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 CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

On June 28,2024, after parking and turning off the ignition switch, the dash started smoking and within minutes the whole dash and front of car were on fire. The car almost completely burned to the ground before the fire department could get there. The car was recently serviced at a BMW for an air bag recall. Heater ducts were loose when returned. There are also recalls for the 2006 325i for similar dash fires. The cause could be either dealer work or a factory issue.

The xenon projector bowls in the headlight assembly on both sides of the vehicle have slowly been burning. The bowl is made of plastic and with the heat of the xenons burns the plastic creating not only a fire hazard but also greatly reduces the effectiveness of the headlight beam, rendering it almost useless. This is specific to the OEM manufacture of the headlight assembly, ZKW. This has also been well documented on various forums for these vehicles over the years.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ARSONIST INVESTIGATOR FILED A REPORT AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

THE DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING PERIODICALLY WHERE ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. AT THAT TIME, THE REAR AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR RELEASE INSIDE THE DOORS. THE BMW USUALLY UNLOCKS THE DOOR WITH THE FIRST PULL AND THEN OPENS WITH THE SECOND, BUT WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, THE DOOR RELEASE (DOOR HANDLE) ON THE INSIDE DOES NOTHING. THIS RESULTS IN ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR OPENING AND I HAVE TO REACH BACK OVER THE SEATS TO UNBUCKLE MY KIDS AND THEN PULL THEM OUT OVER THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. SO LONG AS WE START OUTSIDE THE CAR, IT JUST MAKES THE BACK SEATS UNUSABLE. BUT IF I LOCK THE DOORS WHILE THE KIDS ARE IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENS, WE GET INTO THE SCARY/FREAKY SITUATION. I VERIFIED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS AREN'T ENGAGED FOR THE DOORS THAT DISABLE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES/RELEASES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND THEN GOES AWAY WITH NOTHING I CAN SEE AS A CAUSE. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT THE FILE FORMATS LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE VIDEOS.

DRIVING ON 12/12/2019 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH, GOING STRAIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN REAR WHEELS (THIS IS RWD - 2003 BMW 325I) LOCKED UP COMPLETELY - THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD AT ABOUT 45 DEGREES SIDEWAYS BEFORE IT STRAIGHTENED OUT WHEN THE SPEED DROPPED. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HIT ANYBODY, AND NO ONE HIT ME ALTHOUGH THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF TRAFFIC ON THIS MULTI LANE INTERSTATE. I GOT AAA TOW IT HOME. HE HAD TO DRAG IT ONTO THE TRUCK BED AS THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED TO BE LOCKED UP. WHEN I REMOVED AND OPENED THE DIFFERENTIAL TAPERED ROLLER BEARING ROLLERS WERE IN THE OIL SPACE. LOOKING TO SEE WHERE THEY JAMMED THE SYSTEM UP I NOTICED MARKS ON THE CARRIER. IT APPEARS ROLLERS JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE CARRIER AND THE INNER WALL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BOX - SEE PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY MAY ALSO HAVE JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE GEARING BUT I DID NOT NOTICE MARKS ON THE TEETH BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SPEND TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY.

I OWN A 2003 SULEV BMW AND IT NEEDS A FUEL PUMP. THIS ONLY CAN BE REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE FACT IT HAS A SEALED FUEL TANK. THE COST CAN BE 6 TO 8000.00 DOLLARS. I WAS TOLD THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR A SULEV CAR. 150000 MI OR 15 YEARS. I CALLED BMW AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT WARRANTY. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU

THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO GET BMW TO HONOR A REMEDY FOR TAILLIGHT DEFECT CAUSED AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY TAILLIGHT GROUNDING WIRES ARE CAUSING A SHORT ON TURNING SIGNALS. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATED THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. AFFECTED VEHICLES 325I - 2002-2005 BMW WILL NOT HONOR ITS PROPOSED REMEDY WITH NHTSA, CITING THE VIN HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN RECALL. I CONTACTED BOTH DEALERSHIP IN STERLING VA AND CORPORATE BMW OF AMERICA (800-525-7417). BMW OF AMERICA WAS CONTACTED 7.15.2019. OPERATOR ANDREA EMPLOYEE # 6266 INFORMED ME THE CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER REMEDY. MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUG 25, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. CONSEQUENCE: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. REMEDY: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417. THE RECALL

MY REAR WINDOW AND THE ROOFTOP DONT WORK I CAN HEAR THE MOTORS BUT NOTHING HAPPENS A TECHNICIAN EXPLAIN THAT THE REGULATOR AND LINES ARE BROKEN ITS A COMMON THING ON MY MODEL HE SPECIFIED.

BOTH BACK WINDOWS ON MY 2003 BMW 325I WILL NOT GO UP. GARAGE SAYS BOTH REGULATORS AND ACTUATORS MUST BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND IT IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD.

AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF

I HAD MY AIRBAGS REPLACED BUT THE MAN SITTING IN THE SEAT IS ON WITH A AIRBACK IN HIS LAP I WAS TOLD THAT THE MRS CONTROL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THE BAD AIRBAGS MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS ISSUE, I WANT TO KNOW IF BMW IS GOINN TO TAKE CARE OF THIS, BECAUSE NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WORK WITHOUT THE MRS MODULE I HAVE NO PROTECTION IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST BMW NEEDS TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST.

STALL LIMPS

TAKATA RECALL - CALL THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL AND WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A CALL WHEN THE PART FOR THE JOBS WAS RECEIVED. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP.

STALLING, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, DEAD BATTERIES, SWERVING

THE BOTTOM PART OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR 'MORE THAN 50%- HAS BECOME UNUSABLE. SOME KIND OF REDDISH FLUID LEAKS IN AND GRADUALLY IS BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE MOST VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS BEHIND US. I REALIZE AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AS ANOTHER COMPLAINANT ON THIS SITE OBSERVED, 'WE EXPECTED BETTER FROM BMW'. THEY TOLD HIM TO POUND SAND, IT WAS HIS PROBLEM TO FIX AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AND THEY WOULD ONLY FIX IT IF FORCED TO DO A RECALL (NAMELY, FORCED BY THE PEOPLE ACTING THROUGH THEIR GOVERNMENT.) SO, THUS FAR (13 YEARS) NEITHER BMW NOR THE NHTSA IS WILLING TO ACT ON THIS. SHAME ON BOTH OF YOU. PRAY NOT, BUT EVENTUALLY A POOR DRIVER WILL NOT HAVE REALIZED THAT HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS SO FILLED WITH FLUID THAT HE CANNOT SEE TO THE REAR AT ALL, AND THERE'LL BE SOME HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AS A RESULT. THEN WON'T WE SEE BEVIES OF CORPORATE AND OFFICIAL BOOBIES WRINGING THEIR HANDS AND TELLING THE MEDIA 'HOW COULD THIE HAVE HAPPNED?'

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE CURB AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MOMENTUM BMW, 10002 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX, 855-645-6452). THE AIR BAG WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; THEREFORE, THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN FOR FREE. THE AIR BAG WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A TAKATA SETTLEMENT NOTICE AND WAS REFERRED TO 833-619-7579. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE THROUGH A FORM I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL "AIRBAGRECALL" AND MY VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL. BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL, I TRIED TO CALL THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL, AND THEY COULDN'T HELP ME.

TAKATA RECALL -

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SMOGGED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

I HAVE A 2003 325I WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKES (LIGHTLY), AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS I CAN HEAR A THUD/CLUNK COMING FROM THE REAR END OF MY CAR ALONG WITH A INCREASE IN THE RPM'S. I ALSO HEAR IT AS SOON AS I LET OFF MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL OR ACCELERATE CAUSING MY CAR TO NOT DRIVE PROPERLY AND MY TRANSMISSION TO HIT MY SUSPENSION VERY HARD. SO, I'VE SEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND OTHER BMW FORUMS AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH IS DANGEROUS & VERY SCARY.