Skip to content
BMW 325CIModel year report

2003 BMW 325CI Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
53 do-not-drive
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 BMW 325CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 325CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (37% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and engine cooling (3). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall I asked for a service appointment on march 8th, 2016 but have not received a call back from the dealership to set a certain date for the repair. Is a 5 months wait normal? I am driving the car daily. Everything works fine.”

NHTSA complaint #10893180, filed 2016-08

Electrical system: “While driving my 2003 Bmw 325CI the engine will shut off. This causes: 1. Power steering stops functioining 2. I am unable to accelerate 3. Braking takes excessively long with engine off 4. Dashboard lights up.”

NHTSA complaint #10353603, filed 2010-09, 90,000 miles

Engine cooling: “While travelling on route 50 in maryland at 55mph engine cut out completely. I lost power steering and brakes. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to side of road, turn off vehicle and restart it. I brought it to the dealership where I purchased it. They cannot diagnose it without at least $1100 worth of work (they think its a transmission problem). After $1100 they state it would be an easy $200 fix or a substantial $6-8000 fix. I will be bringing it to another mechanic for second opinion. I was fortunate I was not in traffic and could pull over safely.”

NHTSA complaint #10383861, filed 2011-02, 111,000 miles

Fuel system: “There is a problem with the electronic throttle/engine management control module. Whenever accelerating from a stop, the car lunges forward, then stops and goes into a cycle where it does this bucking action a few times. The car is 2 years old, but has only done this for the past year. I've attempted to have this repaired by Bmw- have been working with them for the last eight (8) months with no result. My family refuses to ride in the car because the jerking motion makes them sick. A Bmw field representative knows about the problem but refused to diagnose or repair the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10118642, filed 2005-04, 12,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,359 and 90,000 miles.

13%0–107%10–2513%25–5020%50–7520%75–10013%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2004620102012201420162019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 BMW 325CI. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
3 Series · sedan not rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 BMW 325CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
325ci RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
325ci RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual182721$3,900
325ci Convertible RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
325ci Convertible RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 BMW 325CI → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 22 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 22 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 325CI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20063649,3422—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053167,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046875,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032765,0005—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200230110,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200149105,0005—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006112,0003———Not enough data

All BMW 325CI model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 BMW 325CI have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 325CI as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 BMW 325CI is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (37% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2003 BMW 325CI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 325CI get?

The EPA rates the 2003 BMW 325CI (325ci, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 BMW 325CI reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,359 and 90,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.