2003 BMW 3 Series air bags problems
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2003 BMW 3 Series — 29% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 3 series. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 15v318000 (air bags) and 13v172000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An appointment was made to bmw of pleasant grove…”
filed Aug 30, 2019
“Takata recall. After waiting 9 months for replacement of passenger side air bag I received another recall notice for the drivers side airbag. It has now been nearly 15 months and no remedy in sight . Received a " final remedy available " letter dated sept. 2016 asking that I call dealer for repair…”
filed Oct 10, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not produced to specifications. Model 2001-2006 e46 (3 series). *pe updated 9/4/14. *pe
SIB-65-14-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2014
Air Bags problems in other 3 Series years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 3 Series | 3 | 14% |
| 2010 3 Series | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 3 Series | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 3 Series | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 3 Series | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 3 Series | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 3 Series | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 3 Series | 15 | 19% |
| 2002 3 Series | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 3 Series | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 3 Series | 11 | 13% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 BMW 3 Series
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.