The Lemon Index

All cars · BMW 5 Series · 2003

2003 BMW 5 Series. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints17NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold46,964U.S. model year
Per 100K sold36complaints

Engines and drivetrains 7

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 6-cylAuto (S5)RWD18 / 26 / 21Premium$3,700
2.5L 6-cylManual 5-spdRWD18 / 27 / 21Premium$3,700
3.0L 6-cylManual 5-spdRWD18 / 27 / 22Premium$3,500
3.0L 6-cylAuto (S5)RWD17 / 25 / 20Premium$3,850
4.4L 8-cylAuto 5-spdRWD16 / 22 / 18Premium$4,300
4.4L 8-cylAuto (S5)RWD15 / 19 / 17Premium$4,550
4.4L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD14 / 21 / 16Premium$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.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags75,00056,200–116,60010
Electrical45,0007,800–99,10013
Transmission & drivetrain80,00058,200–98,6008
Steering86,70061,200–107,5006
Seats98,00072,700–126,0007

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

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control41%
Electrical24%
Seat belts18%
Brakes18%
Lights6%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
9757601

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

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2000642839,703Airbags
2001502140,005Airbags
2002552340,842Transmission & drivetrain
2003–1746,964Speed control
2004913645,584Airbags
2005–1752,722Airbags
2006732956,756Electrical

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

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data