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Air bagsPart report

2003 BMW M3 Air bags Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
28%of 54 total for the year
Median mileage
81,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 BMW M3, 28% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was in a serious automobile accident involving a 2003 Bmw M3. I sustained serious facial trauma that resulted in the loss of vision in my left eye. I had facial stitches as well after the accident. I believe that debris was discharged from the passenger side airbag. 2 surgeries were required after the accident to repair damages with no vision restored in my left eye. It was a frontal impact with a solid object.”

NHTSA complaint #10649507, filed 2014-10, 55,000 miles

“Takata recall I received a letter from Bmw notifying me of the recall in july 2015. It is may 2, 2016 and my dealer (Bmw of silver spring, md) and Bmw of north america llc still do not have the part(s) to implement the recall. This is unacceptable if NHTSA is allowing Bmw to continue to manufacture and sell cars in north america with inflators that should be installed in cars already in service. It seems that money is the issue rather than parts supply for cars in service.”

NHTSA complaint #10862469, filed 2016-05, 90,000 miles

“Takata recall. Nothing has happened yet to my 2003 Bmw M3, but reading about the takata recall and what the airbags are capable is scaring me to death. My 5 year nephew loves riding around town in his uncle's race car . Even though I rarely go faster than the speed limit, you would never know by the look on his face as the air washes across his face. It has been garage kept since I have owned it and have only put 5k miles on it in this 4 years I have owned it. The fact that something like this could go wrong despite my meticulous care taken of the car is really causing me panic. …”

NHTSA complaint #11018813, filed 2017-08, 63,514 miles

“My car was in a collision where the driver of car 1 was making a turn into the main street , she turned too wide and could not complete the turn and decided to back up..she slammed into my car ,damage was left front bumper ,broken parking light, damage left front fender , xenon headlight module,(causes the left head light to turn of sometimes) and the air bag light came on , diagnosis found drivers seat belt tensioner fault ,since there was the impact on the drivers side. The driver of car 1 was cited for he incident and also for driving on a learners permit alone. …”

NHTSA complaint #10475478, filed 2012-09, 99,647 miles

“Driving vehicle at highway speed ran over small/minor pothole resulting in passenger side curtain/head airbag to deploy. No passenger was in the vehicle at the time. No weighted object was in the passenger front seat from vehicle start to time of incident. Moved vehicle to side of road to inspect. No tire damage. No body damage. No evidence of ride height change (to suggest suspension compromise). I was ironically on the way to the dealership for recall work and they did a cursory inspection while the vehicle was on the rack. No obvious damage was identified. …”

NHTSA complaint #10908057, filed 2016-09, 153,340 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2013754%
2012467%
2011619%
2010853%
2009818%
2008911%
2006964%
2005433%
2004929%
20031528%
2002718%
200117%
1999545%
1998214%
1997316%
1995217%

Other parts of the 2003 BMW M3

Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW M3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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