2003 BMW 325Xi

Do not drive

Owners filed 31 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags14
100
Exterior Lighting4
010
Engine4
001
Fuel/Propulsion System2
010
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension1
000
Steering1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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.

Air Bags14V428000Do not drive
Filed Jun 11, 2018574,007 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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].

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V318000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 2015419,235 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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.

Air Bags13V172000Do not drive
Filed May 2, 201343,204 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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].

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal11V438000
Filed Aug 26, 2011241,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 12, 2026MA

Fuel tank bracket rust off and will break and is a very expensive job to repair im not the only person to face this issue anyone with a BMW

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 21, 2018125,000 milesMD

DRIVERS DOOR LOCK DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, OR WITH REMOTE. OTHER THREE DOORS DO.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 22, 2018NY

THANK YOU VERY MUCH JO WHAT I DID TAKE CARE OF THE AIRBAG OR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 15, 2017CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WEATHERFORD BMW OF BERKELEY (735 ASHBY AVE, BERKELEY, CA 94710) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 2017KS

TAKATA RECALL TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF FAILED AND CAUSED WATER OT ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONCERNED THAT THE WATER WOULD DAMAGE THE CARPET, DASHBOARD, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGONOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. CONSUMER PUT IN NEW ENGINE. NEW RUG IS MESSED UP NOW BECAUSE OF SUNROOF LEAKS. UPDATED 9/13/18*JB

Air Bags
Filed Aug 16, 2017164,000 milesME

THIS RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS IN MY BMW IS AFFECTING HOW I GET TO WORK EVERYDAY, I DON'T DARE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK SO I AM RELIYING ON OTHERS TO GET ME TO WORK AND I AM OFTEN LATE TO WORK BECAUSE OF THIS, WHICH IS GETTING ME IN TROUBLE AT MY JOB. I AM AT RISK OF LOSING MY JOB AT THIS POINT.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2016CT

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 2015 FOR REPLACEMENT OF DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. AS OF THIS DATE 10/15/16 BMW HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED ME OF WHEN THEY WILL NOTIFY ME THAT I CAN BRING MY CAR TO DEALER TO HAVE DRIVE SIDE AIR BAG REPLACED. CALLS TO BMW IN IN JUNE 2016 SAID TO WAIT UNTIL JULY,CALLS IN JULY SAID TO WAIT UNTIL AUGUST, CALLS IN AUGUST SAID PERHAPS BY OCTOBER OR END OF 2016...CALLS TO THE BMW DEALER I USE VARY -ONE TIME THEY SAY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE CAR IN,NEXT CALL THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NO AIRBAGS...MY QUESTION(S) TO THE NHTSA IS "WILL BMW EVER REPLACE THE AIRBAG" AND IS DEPENDENT ON WHETHER I USE A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTAINING MY BMW.???... I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT SOME COLLEAGUES WITH OTHER TYPES HAVE CARS HAVE BEEN NOT TO DRIVE THEIR CAR UNTIL THE AIR BAG IS REPLACED AND SOME DEALERS HAVE ACTUALLY PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR FOR THEM UNTIL AIR BAG IS REPLACED....ALSO MY WIFE HAS A 2013 ACURA RDX, AND WHILE I BELIEVE THAT YEAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG RECALL, HER ACURA DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY REPLACED HER DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AFTER JUST A FEW MONTH WAIT....I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST 17 MONTHS FOR BMW RO NOTIFY ME THAT I CAN BRING MY CAR IN FOR AIR BAGS....AND I DO NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY THE BMW DEALERSHIP KEEPS CHANGING THEIR STORY ON THE AVAILABILTIY OF REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS YOUR HELP AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

Air Bags
Filed Aug 22, 2016IN

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 25, 2016NJ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 2016NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 1, 2016FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 17, 2016RI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Steering
Filed Jan 12, 201698 milesCA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 20, 2015CT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jul 17, 2015103,000 milesSD

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.

Engine1 injured
Filed Jun 17, 2015100,000 milesPA

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 19, 201593,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 29, 2014NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2014WA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V280000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 22, 2014133,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND WERE DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HOUSING COMPARTMENT AND BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

20 of 31 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20120200Routine
20110300Routine
20100300Routine
20091300Routine
20080300Routine
20070300Routine
2006110620Routine
200527420Do not drive
200455410Do not drive
2003 — this page31520Do not drive
200268620Do not drive
200114220Do not drive
20000100Do not drive

Compare every 325Xi year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.