2003 BMW M3 Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,215miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2003 BMW M3, 4% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,215 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.
“2004 Bmw M3 convertible. I was on my way home and decided to put the top down. I have owned the vehicle for approx. 6 months and have performed this operation a countless number of times (I live in southern california). I was driving around 40 MPH when I looked in the rear view and noticed that the stowage lid was completely up. I pulled over and performed the operation, but it would not close. I immediately called sos and they were not able to assist me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086688, filed 2004-08, 6,430 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw M3. The ignition was turned off. The contact attempted to exit the vehicle. However, the interior driver side door handle failed to open. The driver turned the ignition on and activated the front driver side power windows to a downward position. The door was opened by accessing the exterior door handle. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 6,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10313885, filed 2010-02, 6,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW M3
15 complaintsTransmission 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 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 29, 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