2003 BMW 3 Series Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 BMW 3 Series, 4% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Originar request car gone for repair: main issue; leak of anti-free, pump issue. Hose replacement. 2012 - package results no included in our original requests. Suspension problem: tech found both rear coil springs broken. Note by car's owner: we when ahead and replaced both, although around 90% of my drive is in highways and my frequent passenger is only a 3 year old boy. Repair cost: us$400.00 --------------------------------------- 2015- car brought over the dealership for computer programming as service was not available anywhere. …”
NHTSA complaint #10676843, filed 2015-01, 177,000 miles“The cooling fan broke loose spontaneously and flew through the air cutting through the hood of the car and ripping through the entire engine compartment. Moments prior the hood had been open with people standing around looking at the hoses. Had the fan broke loose at this time, I would have seriously injured or killed people.”
NHTSA complaint #10436090, filed 2011-11, 69,000 miles“Erratic idle. . . When stopped at a stop light, car in neutral, the rpms rev in spikes from 500 to 1500, up and down, up and down. The car never resets to a constant idle. Car has been in shop 8 - 9 times over 18 days total. No solution. Tech told me Bmw know of problem but has no plans to find a fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10152638, filed 2006-03, 1,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037079Oct 1, 2014Bmw: service engine soon light is on. The vehicle lost power and the engine cranks with no start. *rm updated 5/19/15.
- 10032779Nov 1, 2012Bmw vehicle: the service engine soon (mil) lamp is illuminated and a power reduction is clearly perceptible. This situation may occur after driving for some time with the engine…
- 10031684Aug 1, 2011Bmw: complaints that the engine management system has entered the engine failsafe mode and that the turbocharger boost is reduced. E82, e88, e90, e92, e93, e60, e61, and e71. All…
- 10040852Jul 1, 2011Bmw: the service engine soon light is on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
- 10040170Mar 1, 2011Bmw: a software error is causing the the service engine soon light to come on. There will be stored trouble codes.
- 10037010Jul 1, 2010Bmw: six different models equipped with the m54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This is due to moisture accumulation.
- 10036985Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a service engine soon light comes on. The engine will only operate to 1500 rpms and lacks power. There is a software application error.
- 10036983Jun 1, 2010Bmw: service engine soon light is on with diesel engines.
- 10036982Jun 1, 2010Bmw: there is a rough engine idle and "service engine soon light" when driving downhill in high altitudes during cold weather. There may be six different fault codes.
- 10036981Jun 1, 2010Bmw: warning message on about low diesel exhaust fuel level and that the engine will not restart within 999 miles. The light comes on a few thousand miles earlier than a…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 3 Series
23 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
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 28, 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