2003 BMW 5 Series Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 7%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 BMW 5 Series, 7% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 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 backed my 2003 Bmw m5 out of the drive way and heard a terrible sound, I attempted to drive the car forward, and the noise got worse. I returned the car to the drive way and put it on jacks and stands to find the noise. I discovered that the rear subframe was broken (I have pictures and will be getting the original parts back for testing) from the mount holding it to the frame. I have researched forums for 1999-2004 Bmw 5 SERIES cars and have located 14 more people that have suffered the same fate (is has happened in 528, 540, and m5 models from 1999-2004). …”
NHTSA complaint #10513279, filed 2013-05, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10051439Dec 1, 2012Bmw: intermittently goes into park during a msa engine start. The transmission can intermittently go into the park position (p) when msa engine start is occurring. A drive gear…
- 10040045Apr 1, 2011Bmw: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
- 10032849Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: dsc disabling function. Due to revised dme, dsc and ccc software, the mdm (m dynamic mode) button located in the center console switch cluster (szm) now has triple…
- 10032825Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: sport transmission paddle shifters inoperative-diagnosis. The direct communication input line between the paddle shifters and the egs transmission control module is…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 5 Series
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
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