2003 BMW 3 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 29%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,803miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 BMW 3 Series, 29% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,803 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bmw of north america has failed to notify about two air bag recalls, one for the passenger side and one for the driver side, affecting my car, even though they have verified that they have my correct address. I have contacted them for each incident, twice in 2014 for the first recall and once on 9/24/2015 for the current recall.they have not been able to explain why they do not contact me.”
NHTSA complaint #10776499, filed 2015-09, 75,000 miles“Bmw of champaign , illinois has refused to repair my airbags. I have attempted to resolve this problem through their attorney, david sholem. His response has been to hang up on me or not respond at all. This is a serious problem, as they have agnoliged ( copy available). I have asked for at least financial assistance to travel to another Bmw dealer nearly 100 miles away to relieve the hardship they created. …”
NHTSA complaint #10744542, filed 2015-07, 113 miles“Almost 6 months ago, I was notified by Bmw about a recall because of air bag(s) and was advised that I would be called shortly for repair/ replacement. Contacted Bmw numerous times by phone and mail and every time was advised that parts should be in shortly. If they cannot find the parts for so long, there should be some alternate. Knowing a safety issue and not correcting it and letting the driver(s) on a chance for a tragedy should not be acceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #10692808, filed 2015-03, 60,000 miles“Re: Bmw airbag recall campaign 14v428 upon receiving the recall notice I immediately called my local dealer. Bmw's authorized and franchised dealership (century Bmw in grenville, sc ) informed me that Bmw USA would contact us as parts became available. A month passed since receiving the initial NHTSA 14v428 notice (tanaka airbag) and I had no follow up. Therefore, I called century Bmw again this morning : this time they took my info and are ordering the parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10659252, filed 2014-11, 119,000 miles“Last year we were notified by Bmw us that our car was being recalled for the passenger side airbag malfunction and Bmw dealers were responsible to fix the problem. Since then we have contacted Bmw us numerous times and our local san francisco Bmw dealer to schedule an appointment. Unfortunately, we were repeatedly told the same answer that we will have to wait until the parts are available for replacing the air bag. Finally, we were able to set up an appointment with our Bmw local dealership for february 4, 2015. …”
NHTSA complaint #10681825, filed 2015-02, 10,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10056098Jun 1, 2014Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not produced to specifications. Model 2001-2006 e46 (3 series). *pe updated…
- 10029605Aug 1, 2011Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) is illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem…
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 | 15 | 19% |
| 2003 | 21 | 29% |
| 2002 | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 50% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 3 Series
23 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology