2003 BMW M3 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 6%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2003 BMW M3, 6% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 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.
“Windows were closed. There had been a light rain. Temperature was about 90 degrees f. Doors were unlocked. Upon shutting the ignition key off in a parking lot, both doors locked automatically and immediately. Lock button on console was not pushed. Both doors would not open, by use of the buttons on the keys or by the console button. Two different keys were tried. The door handles moved, but would not open the doors. I don't believe the outside door handles would have opened the doors either because the doors were locked . …”
NHTSA complaint #10745533, filed 2015-08, 81,310 miles“Re: smg pump failure I have contacted bmwna in the past in regards to the smg (sequential manual gearshift) pump failure in some Bmw e46 M3's 2002-2006. Bmwna appears to brush this problem aside. The smg is an electro hydraulically actuated clutch. It changes the gears (utilizing hydraulic pump) without an actual clutch pedal by utilizing the shifter lever located on the center console or the shifter paddle levers on the steering wheel. When the smg fails your vehicle loses engine power and you are unable to proceed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10409716, filed 2011-06, 75,500 milesOther or unknown: 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 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 28, 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