The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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.
2003 BMW M3 airbags problems
15 complaints (28% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 28%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Frontal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW M3 airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high 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
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V018000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recall number 14V428000 · 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
Air bags
- What is wrong
- BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recall number 13V172000 · Recall details
What 2003 BMW M3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving on the freeway, then all of a sudden my drivers side air bags deployed.
Takata recall. Nothing has happened yet to my 2003 bmw m3, but reading about the takata recall and what the airbags are capable is scaring me to death. My 5 year nephew loves riding around town in his uncle's "race car". Even though I rarely go faster than the speed limit, you would never know by the look on his face as the air washes across his face. It has been garage kept since I have owned it and have only put 5k miles on it in this 4 years I have owned it. The fact that something like this could go wrong despite my meticulous care taken of the car is really causing me panic. Should I quit driving the car and leave it in the garage asap until things get figured out? Please inform me on what I should do.
Takata recall - this is a 2003 car I used to lease. Bmw still has me as the lessee of this vehicle which was turned in to bmw in 2006. Someone driving this vehicle will not get this recall because of poor record keeping. This is not the only incidence. I have other leased bmw's that still had me as the lessee. Please investigate. Thank you.
Driving vehicle at highway speed ran over small/minor pothole resulting in passenger side curtain/head airbag to deploy. No passenger was in the vehicle at the time. No weighted object was in the passenger front seat from vehicle start to time of incident. Moved vehicle to side of road to inspect. No tire damage. No body damage. No evidence of ride height change (to suggest suspension compromise). I was ironically on the way to the dealership for recall work and they did a cursory inspection while the vehicle was on the rack. No obvious damage was identified. Car was mechanically sound after incident on the way to dealership and home ~30 miles driven. No rattles. No drifting. No change in handling. Concerned that this may be a phantom deployment or maladjusted sensor / SRS software issue. This is similar to other incidents reported on various online discussions for this body style (e46). Bmw na has been contacted for further investigation. I am awaiting a reply from them (estimated in a few days per their representative).
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) in july of 2015. 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 aware of the issue. The manufacturer informed the contact that another notification would be sent when the parts became available. The manufacturer stated that based on the location, the high humidity locations were their priority. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. .....updated 08/11/16 *bf the consumer stated the issue was resolved. Updated 08/17/16.
Takata recall I received a letter from bmw notifying me of the recall in july 2015. It is may 2, 2016 and my dealer (bmw of silver spring, md) and bmw of north america llc still do not have the part(s) to implement the recall. This is unacceptable if the federal safety agency is allowing bmw to continue to manufacture and sell cars in north america with inflators that should be installed in cars already in service. It seems that money is the issue rather than parts supply for cars in service.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Questions about the 2003 BMW M3 airbags
Does the 2003 BMW M3 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the airbags of the 2003 BMW M3, 28% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 BMW M3 airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW M3 airbags?
Yes, 4 recalls: 20V018000, 14V428000, 15V318000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2003 BMW M3 problems
Transmission 14Body 5Engine 5Suspension 5Electrical 4Visibility 4Lights 3Fuel system 2Locks 2Tires 2Acceleration 1Seat belts 1Steering 1Wheels 1
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