Most common 2003 BMW 5 Series problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 5 Series complaints by model year
Best 5 Series years: 2002, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2008, 2011, 2006, 2004. Compare all years →
What 2003 BMW 5 Series owners say
Air bags
Takata recall - I recently found out that my vehicle, which has been mine since it was new in 2003, is part of the Takata recall and has been since almost a year ago. I never received a single notification in the mail. I have lived at the same address since 2003, so there seems to be absolutely no excuse for this. When I called my BMW dealership to find out what to do about the recall, I was told there is no current remedy but that someone would call me back about my options. It has been almost two weeks and no one has called me. I then sent an e-mail to BMW, which resulted in a form return message. What are the options for someone with this recall and no remedy? I can't say that I feel at all safe driving my car, especially not with my children in it, but I apparently have no alternative as I'm not in a position to purchase a new vehicle or to rent a vehicle.
Takata recall. More than a year ago, I received information in the form of a warning that my car had airbags that should be replaced. I contacted the BMW center on s.dixie highway near 160 street in miami and was told that they will get back to me. After a long enough wait, I called again and was told the same thing. After another period of time, I took my car to them. They told me that the airbag had been ordered and that I will be notified as soon as it comes in. After another long wait, I called and later went back with my car but still got the same run-around. It has been almost 2 years since I contacted BMW. I am lucky that nothing bad has happened to me while driving my car. What else am I supposed to do in order to get the service that I need? Thank you for your help.
Electrical system
My 2003 BMW 530i sedan caught fire due to an electrical fault while parked in new haven, connecticut. The fire department and police were called. Case #[redacted] was assigned by officer [redacted] of the new haven pd. The car, too badly damaged to repair, was hauled away for eventual scrapping. I was close to the car when the fire started. Flames were erupting from the dash, where the climate control switches are located. I tried smothering the flames with a sweater. This did not interrupt the progress of the fire. There was no personal injury or property damage other than to the car and its contents. Items situated in the front seat area were not recovered, due to the intensity of the fire. The apparent cause of the fire was an electrical fault. …
While driving, the car suddenly shut down and lost all power. Had to pull over to the side of the road quickly to avoid an accident; had this been at high speed, the situation might have been worse. Subsequently when trying to start, the car shows a myriad of warning lights and faults. A fuse for the main computer (dme) had blown, due to a wiring short between the electronic thermostat and the main computer. Replacing the fuse is not a permanent fix, as it blows shortly after each time the car is started, rendering the car undriveable. This fix to replace shorted wiring is in the thousands of dollars. The car had been meticulously maintained and had never suffered any related issue before. There is a poor connection, faulty wiring, design flaw, or the like in this system.
2003 BMW 5 Series engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 21 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 BMW 5 Series a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 5 Series rates average: 25% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 5 Series at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 BMW 5 Series?
The air bags — 4 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and locks & latches (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 5 Series have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 BMW 5 Series. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 5 Series?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2011, 2006 and 2004. See the full BMW 5 Series years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 BMW 5 Series problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.