Bmw 325xi 2003
Model 325xi made in 2003 by Bmw got 29 consumer complains as well as 1 recall. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine. There was one recall concerning exterior lighting . The car has one 2.5 engine.
Model 2003
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 6 | Lockup/automatic, 5 gears | 4 | 19/26/22 | 21.4/33.4/25.5271 | Premium | 1126 | COMPACT CARS | |
| 2.5 | 6 | Manual, 5 gears | 4 | 19/27/22 | 21.6/34.7/26.0205 | Premium | 1126 | COMPACT CARS |
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS | ||||||||||||||||
| 11V438000 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC | from 09/01/2001 to 03/01/2005 | V (Vehicle) | 241000 | 02/15/2012 | ODI | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC | 08/26/2011 | 08/26/2011 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. this could cause a vehicle crash without warning. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. the safety recall beganon february 15, 2012. owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 95000 | 1 | |
| This has been an ongoing issue regarding the door locks on my 2003 bmw 325 xi. the doors automatically lock when the vehicle is placed into gear. which i assume is as designed. ? however the doors will not unlock once the vehicle is placed back in park (engine running or not) neither by manual manipulation of the lock buttons on the doors or by pressing the door unlock switch on the console. ? furthermore, with the single exception of the driver?s door, all other door latches are rendered non-functioning (inside and outside of the vehicle) ? no one but the drive can open a door to exit the vehicle all doors are rendered inop, you can?t open them from either this inside or the outside o no, the child locks are not engaged. as a member of the fire service and fire marshall for the city of carver, mn i see this as a huge life safety issue. if there were ever a fire, the occupants would not be able to self-extricate (open the door to escape smoke and fire). furthermore, given the likelihood and great potential for rapid fire spread in car fires in general?. any passengers, children/infants strapped into in car seats in the back seats would most certainly perish. based on a multitude of consumer complaints on various internet boards, i do not believe this to be an issue specific to my car, but much broader in scope. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 95000 | ||
| This has been an ongoing issue regarding the door locks on my 2003 bmw 325 xi. | |||
| ENGINE | |||
| 06/11/2012 | 140000 | 1 | |
| Brought in my car to local mechanic three times for oil leak (oil on driveway, oil light sensor on dashboard illuminated). in each case, i thought the problem was fixed but after two weeks the dashboard oil light came on again. i thought my mechanic was inexperienced with bmw's, so i took it to a bmw dealer and all seemed fine ($1,000 repair) until two weeks later when the oil light yet again appears on the dashboard. i am taking it back to the bmw dealer next week for a second time. i believe every possible gasket has been replaced - remember it's been repaired for the same problem four times now, soon to be five. the problem started last year. i have place upwards of 15 quarts of oil (one quart of oil a week at times) in between mechanic repairs just to save up money to bring it back in for yet another repair. nobody, including bmw seems to know why or where the oil leak is happening. i have spent thousands of dollars on repairs and as a consumer am getting tired of it. *tr | |||
| 06/11/2012 | 140000 | ||
| Brought in my car to local mechanic three times for oil leak (oil on driveway, oil light sensor on dashboard illuminated). in each case, i thought the problem was fixed but after two weeks the dashboard oil light came on again. i thought my mechanic was inexperienced with bmw's, so i took it to a bmw dealer and all seemed fine ($1,000 repair) until two weeks later when the oil light yet again appears on the dashboard. i am taking it back to the bmw dealer next week for a second time. i believe every possible gasket has been replaced - remember it's been repaired for the same problem four times now, soon to be five. the problem started last year. i have place upwards of 15 quarts of oil (one quart of oil a week at times) in between mechanic repairs just to save up money to bring it back in for yet another repair. nobody, including bmw seems to know why or where the oil leak is happening. i have spent thousands of dollars on repairs and as a consumer am getting tired of it. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 01/31/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the wiring harness was melted. the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000. | |||
| 01/31/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the wiring harness was melted. the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000. kmj | |||
| 01/31/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated while backing out the drive way the drivers side tail light failed to illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the tail light wiring harness was melted. the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000. rds | |||
| 08/25/2010 | 130000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated that the tail lights and the turn signal would fail intermittingly. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer advised that there was a faulty ground wire causing the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000. kmj | |||
| 10/01/2008 | 70000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. while the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the exterior warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating the tail lights were not functioning. the contact stated the tail lights and brake lights failed to function intermittently and the wires had melted melted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician replaced the bulb holder panel. the failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights) that may be related to the failure. the manufacturer stated the vin was not included in the recall. the approximate failure mileage was 70,000. rvk | |||
| 08/25/2010 | 130000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated the tail lights go in and out on the vehicle. the turn signal works intermittingly as well. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was stated there is a faulty ground wire causing the problem. the dealer stated this has been a known problem on this year model. the failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.rl | |||
| 10/01/2008 | 70000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. while parked the contact noticed the exterior warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating the tail lights were not functioning. the contact stated the tail lights and break lights stop functioning intermittently. the contact noticed the wires had melted melted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. the technician replaced the bulb holder panel. the failure continued after the repair. there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights) that may be relate to the failure. the manufacturer stated the vin was not included in the recall. the approximate failure mileage was 70,000. ds | |||
| 10/19/2010 | 124000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated that the tail lights and turn signals failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that his vin was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting: turn signal). the manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 124,000. kmj | |||
| 10/19/2010 | 124000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated the tail lights and turning signals fail. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated his vin was not included in the recall. the recall nhtsa campaign id number: 11v438000 component: exterior lighting: turn signal. hr would have to repair the vehicle at his expense. the manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 124,000. mw | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 95000 | 1 | |
| This has been an ongoing issue regarding the door locks on my 2003 bmw 325 xi. the doors automatically lock when the vehicle is placed into gear. which i assume is as designed. ? however the doors will not unlock once the vehicle is placed back in park (engine running or not) neither by manual manipulation of the lock buttons on the doors or by pressing the door unlock switch on the console. ? furthermore, with the single exception of the driver?s door, all other door latches are rendered non-functioning (inside and outside of the vehicle) ? no one but the drive can open a door to exit the vehicle all doors are rendered inop, you can?t open them from either this inside or the outside o no, the child locks are not engaged. as a member of the fire service and fire marshall for the city of carver, mn i see this as a huge life safety issue. if there were ever a fire, the occupants would not be able to self-extricate (open the door to escape smoke and fire). furthermore, given the likelihood and great potential for rapid fire spread in car fires in general?. any passengers, children/infants strapped into in car seats in the back seats would most certainly perish. based on a multitude of consumer complaints on various internet boards, i do not believe this to be an issue specific to my car, but much broader in scope. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 12/22/2010 | 46000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated that all four door locks could not be opened from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the computer chip needed to be replaced at the owners expense of $1000. the manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that they would not assist. the failure mileage was 46,000. kmj | |||
| 12/22/2010 | 46000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. the contact stated all four door lock cannot open from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the computer chip needed to be replaced at the owners expense of $1000. the manufacturer was notified who stated she should contact nhtsa and file a complaint. the failure mileage was 46,000. mw | |||