Model year
2003 BMW 5 Series
NHTSA lists 0 recalls and 15 complaints for the 2003 BMW 5 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 6 recalls and 104 complaints under 525I, 525IA SPORT WAGON, 530I, 530IA, and 540I. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (4), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4), LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (2). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,750–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 2 complaints
- 2001 3 complaints
- 2002 7 complaints
- 2003 15 complaints
- 2004 64 complaints
- 2005 21 complaints
- 2006 85 complaints
- 2007 13 complaints
- 2008 105 complaints
- 2009 8 complaints
- 2010 6 complaints
- 2011 81 complaints
- 2012 10 complaints
- 2013 194 complaints
- 2014 152 complaints
- 2015 100 complaints
- 2016 83 complaints
- 2017 38 complaints
- 2018 89 complaints
- 2019 39 complaints
- 2020 15 complaints
- 2021 27 complaints
- 2022 17 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 18 complaints
- 2025 2 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
No recalls are listed for this name in the matched NHTSA file.
Complaints
15 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 1, injury field 1, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 525I | 2 | 32 |
| 525IA SPORT WAGON | 0 | 6 |
| 530I | 2 | 46 |
| 530IA | 0 | 13 |
| 540I | 2 | 7 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525i · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 525i · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 530i · 3L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 530i · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 540i · 4.4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 540i · 4.4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 21 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| 540i · 4.4L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| 525i Sport Wagon · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 525i Sport Wagon · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 540i Sport Wagon · 4.4L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
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 5 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.