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Air bagsPart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012110%
201111%
2010117%
2009113%
200822%
2007646%
20063642%
20051048%
20042945%
2003427%

Other parts of the 2003 BMW 5 Series

Electrical system
4 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Transmission 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