2003 BMW M3 vs 2003 Ford Mustang
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 M3 | 2003 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 54 | 145 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 24 | 59 |
| Investigations | 2 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 19 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 17 | 17–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 73,750 mi | 18,300 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW M3 | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 39 |
| Power Train | 14 | 15 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 11 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 16 |
| Suspension | 5 | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 10 |
| Structure | 5 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 35 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 6 |
2003 BMW M3
2003 Ford Mustang
Compare all BMW M3 vs Ford Mustang 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.