2003 BMW M3

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. 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.

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 separated from the side wall completely. It should be noted there was no warning before the tire failed. I then contacted Continental Tires who advised a take them to Discount Tires for inspection. The service center confirmed the tire tread had separated from the sidewall. The tire has not been inspected by anyone else, but I do have numerous pictures.

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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED AND A PART ON THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

MSG PUMP FAILURE

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 TO THE RIGHT WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR KICKED BACK INTO GEAR, I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY. I WENT TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT IT IS A VERY COMMON SCARY PROBLEM THESE CARS HAVE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT. VERY SCARY SITUATION, I AM GLAD MY KIDS OR WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME. I HOPE BMW STEPS UP TO THE PLATE AND PROACTIVELY TAKES CARE OF THIS BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES.

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.

REAR SUBFRAME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE PER CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BACCA V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, CASE NO. [XXX]. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR MAINTENACE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE DURING THEIR INSPECTION. BMW DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS VERY TYPICAL ISSUE OF THEIR BMW 3 SERIES MODELS 1999-2006. THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL ISSUE IN AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESS BY BMW NORTH AMERICA DUE TO THE COMPROMISE OF SAFETY TO THE OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC OF THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ATTACHED A PDF OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LETTER REGARDING THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT ADDRESSED BY BMW PROPERLY AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESSED AS THE ISSUES ARE STILL RELEVANT UP TO NOW. THIS STILL RAISES A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THESE MODELS ARE STILL BEING SOLD TODAY. I'VE ALSO ATTACHED A CURRENT PHOTO OF MY VEHICLE THAT SHOWS THE EVIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE UNDER THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU HELP IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AS SO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND PREVENT ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. THANK YOU! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET TO MY 2003 BMW M3, BUT READING ABOUT THE TAKATA RECALL AND WHAT THE AIRBAGS ARE CAPABLE IS SCARING ME TO DEATH. MY 5 YEAR NEPHEW LOVES RIDING AROUND TOWN IN HIS UNCLE'S "RACE CAR". EVEN THOUGH I RARELY GO FASTER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW BY THE LOOK ON HIS FACE AS THE AIR WASHES ACROSS HIS FACE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT AND HAVE ONLY PUT 5K MILES ON IT IN THIS 4 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. THE FACT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD GO WRONG DESPITE MY METICULOUS CARE TAKEN OF THE CAR IS REALLY CAUSING ME PANIC. SHOULD I QUIT DRIVING THE CAR AND LEAVE IT IN THE GARAGE ASAP UNTIL THINGS GET FIGURED OUT? PLEASE INFORM ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO.

TAKATA RECALL - THIS IS A 2003 CAR I USED TO LEASE. BMW STILL HAS ME AS THE LESSEE OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS TURNED IN TO BMW IN 2006. SOMEONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT GET THIS RECALL BECAUSE OF POOR RECORD KEEPING. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENCE. I HAVE OTHER LEASED BMW'S THAT STILL HAD ME AS THE LESSEE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED RAN OVER SMALL/MINOR POTHOLE RESULTING IN PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN/HEAD AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. NO WEIGHTED OBJECT WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FROM VEHICLE START TO TIME OF INCIDENT. MOVED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD TO INSPECT. NO TIRE DAMAGE. NO BODY DAMAGE. NO EVIDENCE OF RIDE HEIGHT CHANGE (TO SUGGEST SUSPENSION COMPROMISE). I WAS IRONICALLY ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL WORK AND THEY DID A CURSORY INSPECTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE RACK. NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED. CAR WAS MECHANICALLY SOUND AFTER INCIDENT ON THE WAY TO DEALERSHIP AND HOME ~30 MILES DRIVEN. NO RATTLES. NO DRIFTING. NO CHANGE IN HANDLING. CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A PHANTOM DEPLOYMENT OR MALADJUSTED SENSOR / SRS SOFTWARE ISSUE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED ON VARIOUS ONLINE DISCUSSIONS FOR THIS BODY STYLE (E46). BMW NA HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I AM AWAITING A REPLY FROM THEM (ESTIMATED IN A FEW DAYS PER THEIR REPRESENTATIVE).

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) IN JULY OF 2015. 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 AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WOULD BE SENT WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BASED ON THE LOCATION, THE HIGH HUMIDITY LOCATIONS WERE THEIR PRIORITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. .....UPDATED 08/11/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW NOTIFYING ME OF THE RECALL IN JULY 2015. IT IS MAY 2, 2016 AND MY DEALER (BMW OF SILVER SPRING, MD) AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LLC STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PART(S) TO IMPLEMENT THE RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IF NHTSA IS ALLOWING BMW TO CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL CARS IN NORTH AMERICA WITH INFLATORS THAT SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN CARS ALREADY IN SERVICE. IT SEEMS THAT MONEY IS THE ISSUE RATHER THAN PARTS SUPPLY FOR CARS IN SERVICE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THERE HAD BEEN A LIGHT RAIN. TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES F. DOORS WERE UNLOCKED. UPON SHUTTING THE IGNITION KEY OFF IN A PARKING LOT, BOTH DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY AND IMMEDIATELY. LOCK BUTTON ON CONSOLE WAS NOT PUSHED. BOTH DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, BY USE OF THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYS OR BY THE CONSOLE BUTTON. TWO DIFFERENT KEYS WERE TRIED. THE DOOR HANDLES MOVED, BUT WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS. I DON'T BELIEVE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WOULD HAVE OPENED THE DOORS EITHER BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE "LOCKED" . THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR BEGAN TO RISE RAPIDLY SO THE ENGINE WAS STARTED TO PROVIDE AIR CONDITIONING. RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES DID NOT CHANGE THE CONDITION OF THE LOCKED DOORS. AFTER 10 TO 12 MINUTES I DECIDED TO LOWER THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS FINALLY UNLOCKED BOTH DOORS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE AND I HAD PULL OVER THE CAR AND SHUT THE KEY OFF. THE DOORS MAY LOCK. A DISABLED OR WEAK PERSON MAY NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO BREAK THE GLASS OR CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW IF THEY PANIC. I AM VERY SCARED TO USE THE CAR AT THIS POINT...EVEN TO DRIVE IT TO GET REPAIRED.

I WAS IN A SERIOUS AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2003 BMW M3. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS FACIAL TRAUMA THAT RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF VISION IN MY LEFT EYE. I HAD FACIAL STITCHES AS WELL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT DEBRIS WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. 2 SURGERIES WERE REQUIRED AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO REPAIR DAMAGES WITH NO VISION RESTORED IN MY LEFT EYE. IT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A SOLID OBJECT. *TR

P133 CODE HAS COME UP AFTER DRIVING 100 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC IN WHICH HE REPLACED ALL OXYGEN SENSORS. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CODE CAME BACK UP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC IN WHICH HE SAID IT HAS TO DO WITH A FAULTY ECM. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO FAIL SMOG TEST UNLESS I ERASE THE CODE. THE ECM HAS ALREADY BEEN REFLASHED BY BMW BACK IN 2012. *TR