2003 BMW 325XI Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 16%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 BMW 325XI, 16% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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 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“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. The contact stated that the tail lights and the turn signal would fail intermittingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer advised that there was a faulty ground wire causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10434740, filed 2011-11, 130,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. The contact stated that the tail lights and turn signals failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting: turn signal). The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 124,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10430806, filed 2011-10, 124,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. The contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the wiring harness was melted. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10438779, filed 2011-12, 115,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 325XI. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the exterior warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating the tail lights were not functioning. The contact stated the tail lights and brake lights failed to function intermittently and the wires had melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician replaced the bulb holder panel. The failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10434059, filed 2011-11, 120,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V438000Aug 26, 2011Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. Over time…Covers: BMW 325XI 2002–2005, 325I 2002–2005, 330I 2002–2005 +1 more
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 325XI
14 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 325XI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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