BMW · Model Report
Showing safety data for the 2003 model year only.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
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 intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
On June 28,2024, after parking and turning off the ignition switch, the dash started smoking and within minutes the whole dash and front of car were on fire. The car almost completely burned to the ground before the fire department could get there. The car was recently serviced at a BMW for an air bag recall. Heater ducts were loose when returned. There are also recalls for the 2006 325i for similar dash fires. The cause could be either dealer work or a factory issue.
The xenon projector bowls in the headlight assembly on both sides of the vehicle have slowly been burning. The bowl is made of plastic and with the heat of the xenons burns the plastic creating not only a fire hazard but also greatly reduces the effectiveness of the headlight beam, rendering it almost useless. This is specific to the OEM manufacture of the headlight assembly, ZKW. This has also been well documented on various forums for these vehicles over the years.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ARSONIST INVESTIGATOR FILED A REPORT AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
THE DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING PERIODICALLY WHERE ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. AT THAT TIME, THE REAR AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR RELEASE INSIDE THE DOORS. THE BMW USUALLY UNLOCKS THE DOOR WITH THE FIRST PULL AND THEN OPENS WITH THE SECOND, BUT WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, THE DOOR RELEASE (DOOR HANDLE) ON THE INSIDE DOES NOTHING. THIS RESULTS IN ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR OPENING AND I HAVE TO REACH BACK OVER THE SEATS TO UNBUCKLE MY KIDS AND THEN PULL THEM OUT OVER THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. SO LONG AS WE START OUTSIDE THE CAR, IT JUST MAKES THE BACK SEATS UNUSABLE. BUT IF I LOCK THE DOORS WHILE THE KIDS ARE IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENS, WE GET INTO THE SCARY/FREAKY SITUATION. I VERIFIED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS AREN'T ENGAGED FOR THE DOORS THAT DISABLE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES/RELEASES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND THEN GOES AWAY WITH NOTHING I CAN SEE AS A CAUSE. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT THE FILE FORMATS LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE VIDEOS.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
DRIVING ON 12/12/2019 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH, GOING STRAIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN REAR WHEELS (THIS IS RWD - 2003 BMW 325I) LOCKED UP COMPLETELY - THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD AT ABOUT 45 DEGREES SIDEWAYS BEFORE IT STRAIGHTENED OUT WHEN THE SPEED DROPPED. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HIT ANYBODY, AND NO ONE HIT ME ALTHOUGH THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF TRAFFIC ON THIS MULTI LANE INTERSTATE. I GOT AAA TOW IT HOME. HE HAD TO DRAG IT ONTO THE TRUCK BED AS THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED TO BE LOCKED UP. WHEN I REMOVED AND OPENED THE DIFFERENTIAL TAPERED ROLLER BEARING ROLLERS WERE IN THE OIL SPACE. LOOKING TO SEE WHERE THEY JAMMED THE SYSTEM UP I NOTICED MARKS ON THE CARRIER. IT APPEARS ROLLERS JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE CARRIER AND THE INNER WALL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BOX - SEE PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY MAY ALSO HAVE JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE GEARING BUT I DID NOT NOTICE MARKS ON THE TEETH BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SPEND TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY.
No injuries · No fire · No crash