2003 BMW 325I Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,586miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 BMW 325I, 4% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,586 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.
“The fuel pump went bad ,and left me stranded on a busy street,it suppose to have a manufacturer warranty for 15years or 150,000 miles from Bmw, but they don't honor it at the dealer,I feel this should be a recall due to the fact that the fuel pump is sealed inside the tank,which leaves no access to change the pump,and the dealer is stating that we have to pay 6500.00 for the whole tank.. This should be a recall..”
NHTSA complaint #10448885, filed 2012-02, 79,000 miles“1. Transmission: after transmission repair, constant hard downshifting of automatic transmission when coming to a stop in d and s d modes. Vehicle jerks forward when decelerating between speeds of 42 to 35 MPH (usually when driven before with speeds in excess of 50 miles an hour). Also, after transmission repair, constant loud thumping noise when coming to a stop 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025336, filed 2003-07, 1,600 miles“I own a 2003 sulev Bmw and it needs a fuel pump. This only can be repaired by a dealership due to the fact it has a sealed fuel tank. The cost can be 6 to 8000.00 dollars. I was told there is an extended warranty for a sulev car. 150000 mi or 15 years. I called Bmw and they never heard of that warranty. Can you please help. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11281679, filed 2019-11“Engine stalled in traffic; had to coast to side of the road. Would not re-start, despite strong cranking. Computer read 38 miles to empty and gauge read approximately 1/4 to 1/8 tank of fuel remaining. Car was towed in and several faults were found: 240, 243. Dealer tech (vista Bmw, fl) stated in service receipt: fuel sending units. Checked fuel pressure . . . Pressure was 3.5 bar. Checked return fuel pressure at fuel tank . . . Pressure was 1.0 bar. Removed both fuel sending units & performed resistance sweep of both resistance cars . . . Both left & right sending units had an open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072451, filed 2004-05, 7,063 miles“On 4/27/2015, driving in rush hour traffic at about 5:30 pm, the car stopped moving forward and did not respond to pressing on the gas peddle. Fortunately, due to slow traffic, we did not get hit from behind. If this had occurred at night and/or at usual traffic speeds, we could have been seriously injured or killed. 911 responded, pushed us to the shoulder and then aaa towed the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10723031, filed 2015-06Related service bulletins
- 10145287Jul 1, 2018E46 PZEV/SULEV (M56) FUEL TANKS: REPLACEMENT AND PARTS RETURN PROCEDURE: BMW of North America, LLC (ÒBMW NAÓ) will begin offering factory remanufactured fuel tank assemblies for…
- 10147133May 1, 2015"BMW NA is not requesting that these fuel tanks be returned to the Warranty Parts Return Center (WPRC) after a claim payment. When performing a fuel tank replacement on an E46…
- 10147919Mar 1, 2014As a safety precaution, when handling fuel tank always wear safety goggles and plastic (not latex) gloves, Nitrile preferred. 2.Remove defective fuel tank from the vehicle and…
- 10147916Mar 1, 2014"E46 SULEV (PZEV) Fuel Tanks: New Warranty Parts Return Procedure. BMW of North America, LLC (""BMW NA"") will begin offering factory remanufactured fuel tank assemblies for E46…
- 10150299Oct 1, 2013E46 SULEV Fuel Tank Parts Collection . INFORMATION Starting on October 10th, 2013, BMW will be collecting defective E46 SULEV fuel tanks (P/N 16 11 6 763 569) for a special…
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 3% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 6% |
| 1994 | 3 | 18% |
| 1993 | 2 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 2 | 25% |
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 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 325I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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