2003 BMW 325I Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 BMW 325I, 1% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,500 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.
“I have a 2003 325I when coming to a stop with the foot on the brakes (lightly), as the transmission downshifts I can hear a thud/clunk coming from the rear end of my car along with a increase in the RPM's. I also hear it as soon as I let off my foot of the gas pedal or accelerate causing my car to not drive properly and my transmission to hit my suspension very hard. So, I've searched this issue and other Bmw forums and found that other people had the same complaints and this exact problem which is dangerous & very scary.”
NHTSA complaint #10979951, filed 2017-04, 150,000 miles“My vehicle has the same incident about a dozen of times in the last 4-5 years. The vehicle suddenly had check engine light, ABS light, traction control light, and brake light on, engineer started to knocking, speed forced down to less than 30 MPH within in seconds. It was quite scaring when the vehicle was on the highway with speed at ~50-70 mpg. My dealer has made several repairs, changing everything in this speed controlling system multiple times according to the book, including throttle body twice, electric harness three times, and control computer unit once, but the problem recurs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10497625, filed 2013-02, 103,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 325I
62 complaintsExterior lighting
48 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 325I
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