All cars · BMW 5 Series · 2003
2003 BMW 5 Series. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 7
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S5) | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | 18 / 27 / 22 | Premium | $3,500 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S5) | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | Auto 5-spd | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 | Premium | $4,300 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | Auto (S5) | RWD | 15 / 19 / 17 | Premium | $4,550 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 14 / 21 / 16 | Premium | $4,850 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,000 and 100,800 miles. Median 76,800, from 59 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 75,000 | 56,200–116,600 | 10 |
| Electrical | 45,000 | 7,800–99,100 | 13 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 80,000 | 58,200–98,600 | 8 |
| Steering | 86,700 | 61,200–107,500 | 6 |
| Seats | 98,000 | 72,700–126,000 | 7 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Speed control | 41% |
| Electrical | 24% |
| Seat belts | 18% |
| Brakes | 18% |
| Lights | 6% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
19V015000 Jan 2019 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
15V318000 May 2015 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
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 intrusio
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
Manufacturer communications 50
BMW filed 50 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Sport transmission paddle shifters inoperative-diagnosis
- Engine wiring harness section replacement for ignition coils
- Engine will crank but not start
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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