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BMW 325XIModel year report

2003 BMW 325XI Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
115,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
Recalls
54 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
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 325XI. The part named most often is air bags, with 14 complaints (45% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (5) and engine (4). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 12% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 115,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (4 marked do-not-drive) and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “This recall on the airbags in my Bmw is affecting how I get to work everyday, I don't dare to drive my car to work so I am reliying on others to get me to work and I am often late to work because of this, which is getting me in trouble at my job. I am at risk of losing my job at this point.”

NHTSA complaint #11015693, filed 2017-08, 164,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function and were detached from the housing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the housing compartment and bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 133,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10627390, filed 2014-08, 133,000 miles

Engine: “Brought in my car to local mechanic three times for oil leak (oil on driveway, oil light sensor on dashboard illuminated). In each case, I thought the problem was fixed but after two weeks the dashboard oil light came on again. I thought my mechanic was inexperienced with Bmw's, so I took it to a Bmw dealer and all seemed fine ($1,000 repair) until two weeks later when the oil light yet again appears on the dashboard. I am taking it back to the Bmw dealer next week for a second time. …”

NHTSA complaint #10494739, filed 2013-01, 140,000 miles

Fuel system: “I have an issue with my 2003 Bmw 325XI. The fuel injectors are leaking/squirting gasoline out of the housing. I did some research and found that I am not the first with this issue. Every person I've seen post this issue lives in a colder part of the u.s. And it happens when it gets cold. I happen to live in wyoming where it's been getting abnormally cold. Not good for me. What I've been seeing is the problem lies with the injector itself where parts of the housing shrinks in the cold. …”

NHTSA complaint #10562782, filed 2014-02, 120,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

12% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 93,000 and 125,000 miles.

6%0–100%10–256%25–5012%50–7512%75–10059%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 115,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2011201220132014201520167201720182026
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 325XI. 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 325XI 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
325xi 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
325xi 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172520$4,100
325xi Sport Wagon 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
325xi Sport Wagon 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$4,100

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 325XI → · 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. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 13 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 325XI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200611080,0006—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052769,5204—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20045567,7404—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200331115,0005—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20026867,5006—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200114140,5002—20—Not enough data

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

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 325XI as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 14 complaints (45% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 5.

Has the 2003 BMW 325XI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 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 325XI get?

The EPA rates the 2003 BMW 325XI (325xi, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 115,000 miles and the middle half falls between 93,000 and 125,000 miles; 12% 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.