Model year
2003 BMW 3 Series
NHTSA lists 0 recalls and 73 complaints for the 2003 BMW 3 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 41 recalls and 402 complaints under 318I, 318IC, 320I, 323CI, 323I, 323IT, 325, 325CI, 325I, 325IT, 325XI, 325XIT, 328CI, 328I, 330CI, 330I, and 330XI. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (20), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (19), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,750–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 88 complaints
- 2001 36 complaints
- 2002 26 complaints
- 2003 73 complaints
- 2004 77 complaints
- 2005 25 complaints
- 2006 202 complaints
- 2007 115 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 53 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2011 1 complaints
- 2012 7 complaints
- 2013 21 complaints
- 2014 410 complaints
- 2015 215 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 80 complaints
- 2018 73 complaints
- 2019 41 complaints
- 2020 53 complaints
- 2021 33 complaints
- 2022 8 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 11 complaints
- 2025 6 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
No recalls are listed for this name in the matched NHTSA file.
Complaints
73 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 318I | 0 | 3 |
| 318IC | 0 | 2 |
| 320I | 1 | 0 |
| 323CI | 1 | 0 |
| 323I | 1 | 0 |
| 323IT | 1 | 0 |
| 325 | 0 | 9 |
| 325CI | 5 | 27 |
| 325I | 7 | 199 |
| 325IT | 2 | 3 |
| 325XI | 5 | 31 |
| 325XIT | 2 | 0 |
| 328CI | 1 | 0 |
| 328I | 1 | 0 |
| 330CI | 3 | 18 |
| 330I | 6 | 77 |
| 330XI | 5 | 33 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP09002 | REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS;… | Apr 8, 2009 | Aug 6, 2009 |
| PE09036 | REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION · EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | Aug 7, 2009 | Dec 22, 2009 |
| EA09019 | Rear Lamp Illumination · EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | Dec 18, 2009 | Sep 28, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325ci Convertible · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 325ci Convertible · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 330ci Convertible · 3L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 330ci Convertible · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 325ci · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 325ci · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 330ci · 3L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 330ci · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 325i · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 325i · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 325xi · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 325xi · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
10 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 BMW 3 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.