2003 BMW 525I vs 2003 Ford Focus
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 BMW 525I | 2003 Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 32 | 977 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 13 | 109 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 52 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 17 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–21 | 20–27 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 42,189 mi | 57,019 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW 525I | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 522 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 82 |
| Steering | 1 | 73 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 60 |
| Air Bags | 10 | 46 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0 | 51 |
| Power Train | 1 | 48 |
| Suspension | 0 | 49 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 60 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 22 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 20 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 19 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 9 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 7 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 7 |
2003 BMW 525I
2003 Ford Focus
Compare all BMW 525I vs Ford Focus years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.