2003 BMW 530I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2003 BMW 530I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2003 BMW 530I. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
46 complaints2 involved a crash6 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Structure › Body
The car caught on fire on 9/4/18, and caused extensive damage inside the engine bay. car was driven several miles to a store. the passengers were exiting the car when they smelled something burning. then they noticed smoke and flames extending from the front of the car. the fire started in…
The car caught on fire on 9/4/18, and caused extensive damage inside the engine bay. car was driven several miles to a store. the passengers were exiting the car when they smelled something burning. then they noticed smoke and flames extending from the front of the car. the fire started in the passenger side and was extinguished before the drivers side also caught on fire. the insulation on passenger side wiring harness IS completely burnt, and numerous other items including the fiberglass body. the vehicle had approximately 215000 miles on it, and was well maintained. no recent repairs had been made to the engine. no smells of gasoline, oil, or plastic burning were evident before the moment the fire started. the cause of the fire IS unknown to us at this time.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes · Suspension
While driving on freeway 210 in the second lane next to fast lane, going 70-72 mph in heavy traffic the rear brakes locked up. Causing the rear tires to skid, in turn causing it to start a clockwise spin two times. Because I was in heavy traffic I quickly desided not to try to control the car in…
While driving on freeway 210 in the second lane next to fast lane, going 70-72 mph in heavy traffic the rear brakes locked up. Causing the rear tires to skid, in turn causing it to start a clockwise spin two times. Because I was in heavy traffic I quickly desided not to try to control the car in that lane causing a mayor car pile up, so I desided to try to make it over to the side of fwy. I missed three cars and a semi truck and ended up stopping before I hit the third car. I was still setting part way in the slow lane, so I tried to move the car. It would not move forward or back ward even though the engine was running and the car would go in gear. My wife and I came out with no injuries and no one hit us. Wow as I think about it now. I had it towed home and it still sets in my back yard. IS there a recall on this because of the brakes or the p/c that may have cause it?
- Air bags
Takata recall..received notification 6 months ago. I have called BMW to set up an appointment and have been told I will be notified when parts arrive. Thus was 6 months ago
- Air bags
No commitment yet from dealer to replace defected airbag. Nhtsa recall number: 15v318
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns 2003 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of nhtsa 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 the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
Takata inflators nothing yet has happened but 15 months after recall issued still waiting for remedy
- Air bags
"Takata recall" - my 2003 BMW driver-side front air bag module (15v-318) was recalled in july 2015 and I can't get any info from BMW if they will ever fix it. I have been calling for one year on this, as I was instructed to do by BMW, and they still will provide me with no information as to if or…
"Takata recall" - my 2003 BMW driver-side front air bag module (15v-318) was recalled in july 2015 and I can't get any info from BMW if they will ever fix it. I have been calling for one year on this, as I was instructed to do by BMW, and they still will provide me with no information as to if or when it will ever be replaced. They have notified me that the air bag can result in "serious injury or death." I have documentation on my numerous attempts to resolve this by calling every 3-4 months as they requested. It has now gone on for one year, and when I said to the BMW representative a couple of days ago, "it seems like this could go on and on and nothing will ever get fixed," the response was "that's correct." I have read on-line that you should "take public transportation or ride share" but I live in l.a. And require a car to et to and from work. I won't let my son drive my car because I fear for his safety. I can't afford another car. I read on-line that older cars (mine IS a 2003) and heat (i live in the san fernando valley of california and it gets hot) can make the air bag more dangerous. I have been driving this car, knowing it's dangerous, for a year, and I am always fearful that someone next to me on the freeway might drift into my lane, while texting, causing the dangerous air bag to go off and send metal shards into me. this can't go on with no end in sight. I feel like they just want me to get so frustrated that I dump my car. I'm definitely frustrated, but I need to keep this car. please help me get some answers and a time when this can be fixed. it's an unacceptable stress to put on someone that they could die from a faulty airbag while the company keeps refusing to give you information and has no intention to fix it in a timely manner. I have documents regarding their notification and my phone calls to them. thank you. *tr
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of nhtsa 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 repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Air bags
Takata recall. are the airbags safe? the car IS on the recall list.
- Air bags
My car IS on the list of cars with defective airbags and I have not received any kind of notification or recall information regarding my vehicle. I want this taken care of immediately and have the defective airbags replaced.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact received a recall notification for the 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. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
- Air bags
I received a letter in july of 2015 stating that there ia a recall on driver-side front air bag module (recall campaign no.: 15v-318) and have yet to receive another notification when the dealerships can fix this dangerous defect. please advise!
- Air bags
Rec'd. Recall notice in july 2015 regarding "recall campaign no. 15V-318: driver-side front air bag module". still have not heard from BMW as to remedy.
- Air bags
Takata recall was notified in may 2015 of drivers side airbag recall. Current status from BMW IS no remedy available yet. I would think by now that the plans and timelines of this recall would be well understood and issued to the owners of the affected vehicles.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall- the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) was received in july of 2015. After contacting the dealer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were…
TL* takata recall- the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) was received in july of 2015. After contacting the dealer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) was received in july of 2015. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) was received in july of 2015. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Air bags · Electrical system · Engine
I was driving my 2003 BMW 530I, while I was driving I used the volume control on the steering wheel to turn the radio down, after depressing the button immediately I smelled and recognized there was smoke coming from the steering wheel. I pulled over, and turned the car off. After several minutes I…
I was driving my 2003 BMW 530I, while I was driving I used the volume control on the steering wheel to turn the radio down, after depressing the button immediately I smelled and recognized there was smoke coming from the steering wheel. I pulled over, and turned the car off. After several minutes I turned the ignition and proceeded to inspect the car. The volume controls did not work any more along with the horn does not blow anymore. Actually when I depress the horn it makes the steering wheel rise up and down. The airbag light flickers off and on. My radio works sporadically. I called BMW of north america and asked about any recalls on this vehicle after seeing a posting online about airbag malfunctioning. This seemed to fit my situation however the gentlemen who took my called said there was no recalls on this model..... This was disappointing and my problems arises more and more after this. I get a transmission failsafe warning almost all of the time because the car seems like it wants to cut off while driving at times. My brake lights flicker off and on at times and then stays on while driving. I got a warning ticket from an police officer. He said it IS a safety hazard. My headlights flicker off and on at times while in operation. I get a engine failsafe warning at times and the car goes into limp mode....... *tr
- Engine
Yesterday wednesday august 27TH 2014 my son came home after school (5 min drive) there was no signs of anything different during driving. he went inside our house less then 1 minute after turning off car and parking car and was in the house his car alarm went off. he went outside to see what was…
Yesterday wednesday august 27TH 2014 my son came home after school (5 min drive) there was no signs of anything different during driving. he went inside our house less then 1 minute after turning off car and parking car and was in the house his car alarm went off. he went outside to see what was wrong with his car and noticed smoke coming from under hood of car. then fire engulfed the engine department. called 911 and fire department came out to stop the fire. they broke wind shield to get to engine and cut up hood to open hood. fire inspector came out and IS filing report. *tr
- Power train
Without any previous problems, the "service engine soon" light came on. The car IS a 2003 BMW 530I with 68,000 miles at the time. Computer diagnosis returned "fault 30", "torque converter slipping". Recommendation was replacement of torque converter at cost of $2600. Online research of this problem…
Without any previous problems, the "service engine soon" light came on. The car IS a 2003 BMW 530I with 68,000 miles at the time. Computer diagnosis returned "fault 30", "torque converter slipping". Recommendation was replacement of torque converter at cost of $2600. Online research of this problem found many complaints of the exact same nature. Due to conflicting advice, the car was not repaired, and has been driven for 3 months and over 3,000 miles without any problems or diminished mileage or performance. The "service engine soon" light that switches on in response to "fault 30" may indicate a non-existent problem that can lead to a costly repair. Meanwhile, the driver IS left with a vehicle with a constantly lit "service engine soon" light. This can obviously create problems in selling the car or having it pass a smog check. *tr
- Seats
I was driving to work on a very cold day at approximately 6AM. I turned the driver seat heater on. After 5-10 minutes, I started to notice a strong burning smell. I also felt a stinging on the back of my left leg. I pulled over and got out to examine the car, and noticed a small hole had been burnt…
I was driving to work on a very cold day at approximately 6AM. I turned the driver seat heater on. After 5-10 minutes, I started to notice a strong burning smell. I also felt a stinging on the back of my left leg. I pulled over and got out to examine the car, and noticed a small hole had been burnt through the leather seat. There was smoke rising up and out from the hole itself. The extremely hot coil for the seat heater was visible directly in the middle of the hole. My pants also have a hole burnt in them from the seat. There should definitely be a recall placed regarding this blatant material failure, as many other people have been similarly affected and could be burned. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Regular day going to work, notice smoke coming from outside of passenger side of car, pulled over check under hood, didn't see any smoke, got back in car and smoke start coming from glove department area, within a minute car start getting filled with smoke, I got out to call 911 and got about 100 feet from car and I heard a pop and the car went into flames and continue until it burned all up inside and out. *tr
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the battery failed several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions who advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to remedy the failure. The battery was replaced at that time but the failure…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the battery failed several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions who advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to remedy the failure. The battery was replaced at that time but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who inspected and discovered that the battery cables were faulty. the battery and battery cables were replaced. The manufacturer was notified who stated there were no recalls for the vehicle and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 1,500 and the current mileage was 86,000.
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the battery failed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times who advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to remedy the failure. The battery was replaced yet the failure persisted. The…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the battery failed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times who advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to remedy the failure. The battery was replaced yet the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the and found that a cable and was the cause of the failure. The cable and battery was replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 1,500 and the current mileage was 86,000.
- Steering · Suspension
Incidental finding of huge crack on left rear lower control arm discovered by mechanic who was servicing the vehicle. I have photos and the part in question. *tr
- Power train
In january of 2009, the "service engine soon" (ses) light came on. it was diagnosed as a faulty torque converter with a replacement cost of roughly $2000. since the car was showing no sign of engine trouble, we have continued to drive the car for almost 3 years and 50,000 with no problems but the…
In january of 2009, the "service engine soon" (ses) light came on. it was diagnosed as a faulty torque converter with a replacement cost of roughly $2000. since the car was showing no sign of engine trouble, we have continued to drive the car for almost 3 years and 50,000 with no problems but the ses light continues to shine and the car will not pass emission inspection. now faced with spending $2000 for a problem that we are not sure exists or not passing inspection. *tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10247567Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE
- 10245422Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.
- 10218384Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note: Opening, closing and starting via the BMW Digital Key or the Digital Key Card are not affected.
- 10160287TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10154816In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with completing repairs.
- 10153726Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10152674Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- 10149557For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle.
- 10145306NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10143564NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10135028SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10036979BMW: a new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
- 10000372Engine wiring harness section replacement for ignition coils.
Every BMW 530I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.