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2003 BMW 5 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
9Owner complaints

Model-year median: 5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
20003
20017
20029
200364
200421
200585
2006
Compare all 5 Series years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
2Electrical System
2Steering
2Engine
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1
All reported categories
Latches/locks/linkages
1Power Train
1Service Brakes
1Suspension
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
140,000 miles · May 23, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

I BACKED MY 2003 BMW M5 OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND HEARD A TERRIBLE SOUND, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR FORWARD, AND THE NOISE GOT WORSE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DRIVE WAY AND PUT IT ON JACKS AND STANDS TO FIND THE NOISE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN (I HAVE PICTURES AND WILL BE GETTING THE ORIGINAL PARTS BACK …

Read full complaint

I BACKED MY 2003 BMW M5 OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND HEARD A TERRIBLE SOUND, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR FORWARD, AND THE NOISE GOT WORSE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DRIVE WAY AND PUT IT ON JACKS AND STANDS TO FIND THE NOISE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN (I HAVE PICTURES AND WILL BE GETTING THE ORIGINAL PARTS BACK FOR TESTING) FROM THE MOUNT HOLDING IT TO THE FRAME. I HAVE RESEARCHED FORUMS FOR 1999-2004 BMW 5 SERIES CARS AND HAVE LOCATED 14 MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME FATE (IS HAS HAPPENED IN 528, 540, AND M5 MODELS FROM 1999-2004). THE REPAIR IS COSTING ME APPROXIMATELY $4000.00. IF THIS BREAK HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED AND WOULD BEEN FREE TO FLY AROUND AND CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND ANYONE IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513279

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.