2003 BMW 5 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 27%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 BMW 5 Series, 27% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 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.
“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“Takata recall - I recently found out that my vehicle, which has been mine since it was new in 2003, is part of the takata recall and has been since almost a year ago. I never received a single notification in the mail. I have lived at the same address since 2003, so there seems to be absolutely no excuse for this. When I called my Bmw dealership to find out what to do about the recall, I was told there is no current remedy but that someone would call me back about my options. It has been almost two weeks and no one has called me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10865903, filed 2016-05“Takata recall. More than a year ago, I received information in the form of a warning that my car had airbags that should be replaced. I contacted the Bmw center on s.dixie highway near 160 street in miami and was told that they will get back to me. After a long enough wait, I called again and was told the same thing. After another period of time, I took my car to them. They told me that the airbag had been ordered and that I will be notified as soon as it comes in. After another long wait, I called and later went back with my car but still got the same run-around. …”
NHTSA complaint #10919330, filed 2016-10“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 540. While the contact's daughter was driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard a loud noise. The front driver's side door air bag and rear door air bags deployed, injuring her left arm and leg. The vehicle was driven to a Bmw dealer. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 68,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10247522, filed 2008-11, 68,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10043714Feb 1, 2012Bmw: steering column switch center contains one or more faults: internal control, steering wheel lock range exceeded, wiper angle defective. Various check control messages appear…
- 10029605Aug 1, 2011Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) is illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 46% |
| 2006 | 36 | 42% |
| 2005 | 10 | 48% |
| 2004 | 29 | 45% |
| 2003 | 4 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 5 Series
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 5 Series
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