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EnginePart report

2003 BMW 325XI Engine Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
13%of 31 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2003 BMW 325XI, 13% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 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.

“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

“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10695458, filed 2015-03, 93,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, smoke appeared under the hood of the vehicle and filled the driver's cabin. The contact exited the vehicle and observed oil between the valve gasket and the head gasket as well as oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off. When the oil dip stick was removed, hot oil shot out onto the contact. The contact was burned, but did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pcv system failed and needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10725736, filed 2015-06, 100,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. The contact received notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v280000 (engine and engine cooling). However, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10662883, filed 2014-12

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200644%
200447%
2003413%
20021522%
200117%

Other parts of the 2003 BMW 325XI

Air bags
14 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Wheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 325XI

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology