Model year

2003 BMW 7 Series

NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 8 complaints for the 2003 BMW 7 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 5 recalls and 89 complaints under 730D, 730I, 735I, 745I, 745LI, and 760LI. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (1), ENGINE (1), EQUIPMENT (1). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,350–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

10V446000 · Oct 1, 2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

04V575000 · Dec 6, 2004

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH…

Complaints

8 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, 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.

  1. AIR BAGS1
  2. ENGINE1
  3. EQUIPMENT1
  4. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
  5. SEAT BELTS1
  6. SEATS1
  7. SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1
  8. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM1
  9. TIRES1
  10. UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Other NHTSA names

These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.

Other matched NHTSA names
Name Recalls Complaints
730D 0 0
730I 0 0
735I 0 0
745I 2 32
745LI 2 50
760LI 1 7

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (2). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
PE11025Vehicle Rollaway · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONAug 5, 2011Apr 23, 2012
EA12002Vehicle Rollaway · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONApr 10, 2012Jan 24, 2013

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
745i · 4.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline162419——$4,350
745li · 4.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline162419——$4,350
760li · 6L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline132116——$5,150

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 7 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All BMW 7 Series model years