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BMW 5 SeriesModel year report

2003 BMW 5 Series Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
90,000miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 BMW 5 Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 5 Series. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and latches, locks and linkages (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I'm getting the run around about replacing the driver's airbag in my car. I received the initial notice over 6 months ago and was told the air bags were released over a month ago but I still haven't gotten a second notice. The Bmw dealership says there isn't an issue with the Bmw it's just precautionary but they still don't have the airbags in.”

NHTSA complaint #10898470, filed 2016-08

Electrical system: “Intermittent engine shut-down. Engine shuts off while vehicle is in motion at any speed. Engine failsafe warning light comes on. Vehicle must be stopped, key turned off and re-started. This is a serious safety issue that Bmw is aware of and has issued a related TSB. $2000 plus repair bill for a new engine wiring harness . Bmw should be recalling these vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #10358224, filed 2010-09, 90,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “My 2003 Bmw 5 SERIES car was stopped in traffic and rear-ended. The collision pushed the contents of the trunk into the back seat area by breaking the latches that hold the fold-down seats. Anyone in the back seat would have been pushed forward by the seat backs, and simultaneously held in place by the seatbelts.”

NHTSA complaint #10100819, filed 2004-11, 28,000 miles

Steering: “I was driving appx 40mph while on a local road slightly uphill, engine shut off without warning, lost power steering and brake assist. Luckily no cars around me so I was able to barely roll over to the roadside. Car would not start again, was towed to dealership. Replaced ecu for a total cost of $2k.”

NHTSA complaint #10568719, filed 2014-03, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,500 and 107,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2517%25–5017%50–7525%75–10042%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 90,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200420072008201042012201320142016
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.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 BMW 5 Series in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 42 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 5 Series

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20121040,0000———Not enough data
2011812,0004——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2010653,0005———Not enough data
2009859,5003———Not enough data
200810526,7503——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20071384,0893———Not enough data
20068565,0007——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052170,5004———Stable
20046478,6256——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20031590,0000———Stable
2002785,0000———Not enough data

All BMW 5 Series model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 5 Series as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 BMW 5 Series is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2003 BMW 5 Series been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 BMW 5 Series reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 68,500 and 107,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

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.