2003 BMW M3

54 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed May 4, 2026Failure May 1, 2026Clermont, GATires

   On May 01, 2026, at approximately 0230 while traveling on hwy. I75 I heard a loud pop towards the rear for the vehicle as the car started to slide. I pulled over to the right side of the road nearly hitting another vehicle. I exited my vehicle and noticed the right rear passenger tire tread had separated from the side wall completely. It should be noted there was no warning before the tire failed. I then contacted Continental Tires who advised a take them to Discount Tires for inspection. The service center confirmed the tire tread had separated from the sidewall. The tire has not been inspected by anyone else, but I do have numerous pictures.

   NHTSA complaint 11735676
2. Filed Aug 18, 2025Failure Feb 9, 2024Parscall, NDAir bags

   The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

   NHTSA complaint 11681428
3. Filed Oct 16, 2019Failure Oct 2, 2019134,850 milesChula Vista, CAAir bags

   I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

   NHTSA complaint 11268883
4. Filed Aug 23, 2019Failure Jun 20, 201898,000 milesChicago, ILElectrical system, Engine

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND LOST POWER. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED AND A PART ON THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

   NHTSA complaint 11246068
5. Filed May 27, 2019Failure May 24, 201910,320 milesPrineville, ORPower train

   MSG PUMP FAILURE

   NHTSA complaint 11210163
6. Filed Apr 30, 2019Failure Apr 20, 2019119,000 milesBaldwin Park, CAPower train

   SMG HYDRAULIC PUMP: I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH IN THE #1 LANE AND MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPPED OUT OF GEAR AND MY CAR STARTED TO COAST LOSING SPEED VERY FAST, I LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND IT WAS 45 MPH. CARS WERE HONKING AND HIGH BEAMING ME BUT I WAS HELPLESS AND WAS TRYING TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR KICKED BACK INTO GEAR, I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY. I WENT TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT IT IS A VERY COMMON SCARY PROBLEM THESE CARS HAVE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT. VERY SCARY SITUATION, I AM GLAD MY KIDS OR WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME. I HOPE BMW STEPS UP TO THE PLATE AND PROACTIVELY TAKES CARE OF THIS BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES.

   NHTSA complaint 11204872
7. Filed Oct 27, 2018Failure Oct 1, 2018180,000 milesMidlothian, VABody, Suspension

   REAR SUBFRAME SUPPORT IS SEPARATING FROM THE BODY WHERE IT MOUNTS TO. CRACKS AROUND THE SUBFRAME BOLTS CAN BE SEEN. PINCHWELD AROUND REAR FENDER IS SEPERATING.

   NHTSA complaint 11143340
8. Filed Oct 6, 2017Failure Sep 16, 20171 milesTorrance, CAPower train, Suspension, Unknown or other

   REAR SUBFRAME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE PER CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BACCA V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, CASE NO. [XXX]. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR MAINTENACE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE DURING THEIR INSPECTION. BMW DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS VERY TYPICAL ISSUE OF THEIR BMW 3 SERIES MODELS 1999-2006. THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL ISSUE IN AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESS BY BMW NORTH AMERICA DUE TO THE COMPROMISE OF SAFETY TO THE OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC OF THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ATTACHED A PDF OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LETTER REGARDING THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT ADDRESSED BY BMW PROPERLY AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESSED AS THE ISSUES ARE STILL RELEVANT UP TO NOW. THIS STILL RAISES A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THESE MODELS ARE STILL BEING SOLD TODAY. I'VE ALSO ATTACHED A CURRENT PHOTO OF MY VEHICLE THAT SHOWS THE EVIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE UNDER THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU HELP IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AS SO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND PREVENT ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. THANK YOU! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

   NHTSA complaint 11032048
9. Filed Aug 22, 2017Failure Aug 22, 201763,514 milesSellersburg, INAir bags

   TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET TO MY 2003 BMW M3, BUT READING ABOUT THE TAKATA RECALL AND WHAT THE AIRBAGS ARE CAPABLE IS SCARING ME TO DEATH. MY 5 YEAR NEPHEW LOVES RIDING AROUND TOWN IN HIS UNCLE'S "RACE CAR". EVEN THOUGH I RARELY GO FASTER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW BY THE LOOK ON HIS FACE AS THE AIR WASHES ACROSS HIS FACE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT AND HAVE ONLY PUT 5K MILES ON IT IN THIS 4 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. THE FACT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD GO WRONG DESPITE MY METICULOUS CARE TAKEN OF THE CAR IS REALLY CAUSING ME PANIC. SHOULD I QUIT DRIVING THE CAR AND LEAVE IT IN THE GARAGE ASAP UNTIL THINGS GET FIGURED OUT? PLEASE INFORM ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO.

   NHTSA complaint 11018813
10. Filed Nov 16, 2016Failure Nov 15, 2016Bingham Farms, MIAir bags

    TAKATA RECALL - THIS IS A 2003 CAR I USED TO LEASE. BMW STILL HAS ME AS THE LESSEE OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS TURNED IN TO BMW IN 2006. SOMEONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT GET THIS RECALL BECAUSE OF POOR RECORD KEEPING. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENCE. I HAVE OTHER LEASED BMW'S THAT STILL HAD ME AS THE LESSEE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

    NHTSA complaint 10926411
11. Filed Sep 19, 2016Failure Sep 19, 2016153,340 milesDavis, CAAir bags

    DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED RAN OVER SMALL/MINOR POTHOLE RESULTING IN PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN/HEAD AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. NO WEIGHTED OBJECT WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FROM VEHICLE START TO TIME OF INCIDENT. MOVED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD TO INSPECT. NO TIRE DAMAGE. NO BODY DAMAGE. NO EVIDENCE OF RIDE HEIGHT CHANGE (TO SUGGEST SUSPENSION COMPROMISE). I WAS IRONICALLY ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL WORK AND THEY DID A CURSORY INSPECTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE RACK. NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED. CAR WAS MECHANICALLY SOUND AFTER INCIDENT ON THE WAY TO DEALERSHIP AND HOME ~30 MILES DRIVEN. NO RATTLES. NO DRIFTING. NO CHANGE IN HANDLING. CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A PHANTOM DEPLOYMENT OR MALADJUSTED SENSOR / SRS SOFTWARE ISSUE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED ON VARIOUS ONLINE DISCUSSIONS FOR THIS BODY STYLE (E46). BMW NA HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I AM AWAITING A REPLY FROM THEM (ESTIMATED IN A FEW DAYS PER THEIR REPRESENTATIVE).

    NHTSA complaint 10908057
12. Filed Aug 29, 2016Failure May 28, 2016Post Falls, IDAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

    NHTSA complaint 10899136
13. Filed Aug 12, 2016Failure Aug 12, 2016Ashburn, VAAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) IN JULY OF 2015. THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WOULD BE SENT WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BASED ON THE LOCATION, THE HIGH HUMIDITY LOCATIONS WERE THEIR PRIORITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

    NHTSA complaint 10895257
14. Filed Jul 7, 2016Failure Sep 14, 2015Portland, ORAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. .....UPDATED 08/11/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 10883393
15. Filed May 2, 2016Failure Jul 1, 201590,000 milesSilver Spring, MDAir bags

    TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW NOTIFYING ME OF THE RECALL IN JULY 2015. IT IS MAY 2, 2016 AND MY DEALER (BMW OF SILVER SPRING, MD) AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LLC STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PART(S) TO IMPLEMENT THE RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IF NHTSA IS ALLOWING BMW TO CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL CARS IN NORTH AMERICA WITH INFLATORS THAT SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN CARS ALREADY IN SERVICE. IT SEEMS THAT MONEY IS THE ISSUE RATHER THAN PARTS SUPPLY FOR CARS IN SERVICE.

    NHTSA complaint 10862469
16. Filed Apr 27, 2016Failure Jul 1, 2015North Bellmore, NYAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

    NHTSA complaint 10861637
17. Filed Mar 21, 2016Failure May 22, 2015Huron, OHAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10850732
18. Filed Aug 1, 2015Failure Jul 30, 201581,310 milesNewfoundland, NJElectrical system, Body, Unknown or other

    WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THERE HAD BEEN A LIGHT RAIN. TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES F. DOORS WERE UNLOCKED. UPON SHUTTING THE IGNITION KEY OFF IN A PARKING LOT, BOTH DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY AND IMMEDIATELY. LOCK BUTTON ON CONSOLE WAS NOT PUSHED. BOTH DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, BY USE OF THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYS OR BY THE CONSOLE BUTTON. TWO DIFFERENT KEYS WERE TRIED. THE DOOR HANDLES MOVED, BUT WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS. I DON'T BELIEVE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WOULD HAVE OPENED THE DOORS EITHER BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE "LOCKED" . THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR BEGAN TO RISE RAPIDLY SO THE ENGINE WAS STARTED TO PROVIDE AIR CONDITIONING. RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES DID NOT CHANGE THE CONDITION OF THE LOCKED DOORS. AFTER 10 TO 12 MINUTES I DECIDED TO LOWER THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS FINALLY UNLOCKED BOTH DOORS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE AND I HAD PULL OVER THE CAR AND SHUT THE KEY OFF. THE DOORS MAY LOCK. A DISABLED OR WEAK PERSON MAY NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO BREAK THE GLASS OR CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW IF THEY PANIC. I AM VERY SCARED TO USE THE CAR AT THIS POINT...EVEN TO DRIVE IT TO GET REPAIRED.

    NHTSA complaint 10745533
19. Filed Oct 23, 2014Failure Dec 4, 201155,000 milesIrvine, CAAir bagsCrash1 injured

    I WAS IN A SERIOUS AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2003 BMW M3. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS FACIAL TRAUMA THAT RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF VISION IN MY LEFT EYE. I HAD FACIAL STITCHES AS WELL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT DEBRIS WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. 2 SURGERIES WERE REQUIRED AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO REPAIR DAMAGES WITH NO VISION RESTORED IN MY LEFT EYE. IT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A SOLID OBJECT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10649507
20. Filed Jun 21, 2014Failure Apr 8, 2014120,000 milesInglewood, CAPower train

    WHILE TURNING AT A SLOW SPEED LEFT OR RIGHT THE DIFFERENTIAL BEGINS TO MAKE GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISE. INSPECTION II SERVICE HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED IN WHICH THE DIFF FLUID IS REPLACED. HOWEVER, IF TURNING A HARD RIGHT OR HARD LEFT THE REAR TIRE BEGINS TO VIBRATE AND FEELS LIKE ITS RUNNING OVER A BUMP. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10604983