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2003 BMW E36

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
13Owner complaints

Model-year median: 7

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
200213
2003
Compare all E36 years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
3Electrical System
2Tires
2Air Bags
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1
All reported categories
Seat Belts
1Seats
1Steering
1Structure
1Wheels
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: 8 of 13 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 3 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 →
  • Tires. 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.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Tires complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2007
Tires

ON MARCH 2ND 2007 AROUND 10:30AM I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW M3 EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 40 FROM CHAPEL HILL NC TO RALEIGH NC. APPROACHING EXIT 292 MY REAR TIRE WHICH WAS A MICHELIN PILOT SPORT SIZE 255/35ZR RIPPED ON EACH SIDEWALL INNER AND OUTER. THE CENTER OF TIRE CAME COMPLETELY SEPARATED WHILE THE OUTER OF THE TIRE WAS STILL …

Read full complaint

ON MARCH 2ND 2007 AROUND 10:30AM I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW M3 EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 40 FROM CHAPEL HILL NC TO RALEIGH NC. APPROACHING EXIT 292 MY REAR TIRE WHICH WAS A MICHELIN PILOT SPORT SIZE 255/35ZR RIPPED ON EACH SIDEWALL INNER AND OUTER. THE CENTER OF TIRE CAME COMPLETELY SEPARATED WHILE THE OUTER OF THE TIRE WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE INNER AND OUTER OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THE TIRE SIMPLY SHREDDED ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALL CAUSING ME TO SWERVE, GAIN CONTROL OF CAR AND PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PERFORMANCE BMW IN CHAPEL HILL. I AM EXPECTED THERE TO BE RIM DAMAGE AS WELL. AT THIS POINT AND TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. BMW ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR UNTIL MONDAY. I WILL KEEP ALL PAPERWORK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184044

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2006
Tires

TIRE FAILURE--TOTAL DISINTEGRATION OF TOYO PROXES T1-R 97Y ZR 23545R17 PURCHASED ON 2/11/06. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173120

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.