Abs module failure trifecta abs light traction amd brake light. Sometimes used to auto Accelerate when brake was pressed and cruise control doesnt work
The worst 2003 BMW 525I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags10
- Electrical8
- Lights4
- Seats3
- Visibility3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags10
- Electrical8
- Lights4
- Seats3
- Visibility3
- Acceleration2
- Seat belts2
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Engine1
- Locks1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 2
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 19V015000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V‑348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Recall number 15V318000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 BMW 525I 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement. customer support program. front driver side airbag modules.
- Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Program dme
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
2003 BMW 525I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 26-27 | 21 |
What 2003 BMW 525I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
GM3 Body module failure interior lights dont function, alarm whipers sprayers locks doors dont funtion
I was driving and antitheft system went off while driving. Then wiper failed to work. I was told by dealer mechanic that the body control module was failing and advised not to drive the car because the antitheft system may cause the car to stop and the wiper system will stop when raining causing multiple accidents.
Bad air bag
Module fails that controls windshield wipers. If raining, there would be no visiblity and would result in an accdent. This happened when the car was moving.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 525i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/11/16*lj
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 525i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 525i. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 525i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 525i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Compare the 2003 BMW 525I
Other model years
19901991199219931994199519981999200120022003200420052006200720082009
Questions about the 2003 BMW 525I
Is the 2003 BMW 525I reliable?
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2003 BMW 525I, close to a typical 525I model year.
What is the 2003 BMW 525I year score?
The 2003 BMW 525I scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 525I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 BMW 525I?
Airbags, with 10 complaints. Next is electrical (8).
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 525I have?
2 recalls, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 525I airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 19V015000, 15V318000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 525I have bad airbags?
The BMW 525I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (44 complaints), 2004 (33 complaints) and 2007 (25 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 525I get?
Official estimates for the 2003 BMW 525I range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 26-27 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 BMW 525I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history