2003 Bmw M5 problems
The BMW M5 is a high-performance variant of the BMW 5 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand. It is considered an iconic vehicle in the sports sedan category. The M5 has always been produced in the sedan (saloon) body style, but in some countries the M5 has also been available as a wagon (estate) from 1992 to 1995, from 2006 to 2010, and since 2024.
The first M5 model was hand-built in 1985 on the E28 535i chassis with a modified engine from the M1 that made it the fastest production sedan at the time. M5 models have been produced for every generation of the 5 Series since 1985.
E28 M5 (1984–1988)
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, was manufactured from October 1984 to June 1988. It made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. It was based on the 535i chassis with various mechanical changes, most notably the M88/3 engine (shared with the E24 M635CSi grand tourer coupé) which was an updated version of the engine used in the M1 sports car. At its launch, the E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world.
The official markets for the E28 M5 were Europe, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The European and South African cars used the M88/3 engine which has a power output of 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp).
Cars sold in the United States and Canada used a detuned version of the M88/3 called the S38B35, which was equipped with a catalytic converter and has a power output of 191 kW (256 hp). Due to an extended production run that exceeded BMW's original forecast of production volumes, a class action lawsuit was launched by owners in the United States. The results of this class action was that owners were given a voucher for US$4,000 in 1993. Production of North American specification M5 commenced in November 1986 and ended in November 1987.
Aside from 96 cars which were assembled in kit form at BMW's Plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, all cars were assembled by hand in Germany. Assembly took place at BMW Motorsport's plant in Preussenstrasse in Munich prior to the 1986 factory summer vacation. Thereafter, the M5 production was moved to Daimlerstrasse in Garching where the remainder were built. Production of the M5 continued until November 1988, almost a year after BMW had ceased production of regular E28 models. With a total production of 2,241 units, the E28 M5 remains among the rarest regular production BMW Motorsport cars – after the M1 (456 units), M5 (E34) Touring (891 units) and the 850CSi (1,510 units).
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Common 2003 Bmw M5 problems
The BMW M5 E39, produced from 1999 to 2003, is known for its powerful S62 V8 engine and performance-oriented setup. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems that potential buyers should be aware of
- Suspension Issues: The M5's thicker rear anti-roll bar bushings, control arms, and ball joints are prone to wear and tear. A pre-purchase inspection can help identify any potential suspension issues and provide an estimate of the repair costs.
- Engine Issues: The S62 V8 engine in the M5 features double-VANOS variable-valve-timing units, which can suffer from seal failures. Replacing the entire unit at a BMW dealership can cost over $4500, but it is possible to replace the seals at a lower cost using an independent shop. Carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, exhaust ports, and secondary air ports can also be an issue, with cleaning the secondary-air system being a particularly expensive repair.
- Clutch Problems: The M5's clutch is subjected to abuse and can wear quickly, requiring replacement. Clutch replacement costs can reach $1300 at a dealership.
- Tire and Brake Wear: The M5 is known for consuming tires, brakes, and oil at a higher rate than some other vehicles. Regular maintenance and budgeting for these consumables are essential for M5 owners.
- Recall: There was an engine-cooling-fan recall that may have affected inaugural-year E39s. Owners should check if their vehicle was affected by this recall and ensure that the necessary repairs have been made.
Potential buyers should consider these common problems and factor in the costs of any necessary repairs when considering the purchase of a BMW M5 E39. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and address these issues before they become significant problems.
Are BMW M5 reliable?
Reliability rating
The BMW 5 Series range (including the M5) has a poor reliability score of 47% as of January 2024, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.
How long does a BMW M5 engine last?
I have 75,000 miles on my M5 and plan on keeping it well past 100,000 miles. Just keep up on regular maintenance service intervals and keep an eye on your oil consumption (if you have any) and you should be good. There are other members on here who have over 100,000 miles on their M5 and they're still going strong.
How reliable is the BMW E39 M5 engine?
The E39 M5's S62 V8 can last 300,000 miles on original components. The S62 can also fail at 40,000 miles. Thankfully, there seem to be many more instances of higher miles than lower.
Why are old M5 so expensive?
The value of this example reflects its scarcity. Keller pointed out that most original E39 M5 buyers didn't treat these cars as future collectibles, and many have higher mileage as a result. BMW also only exported 9992 E39 M5s to North America, and as is the case with most cars, the first model year is the most common.
What are the most common faults with BMW M5?
Top BMW M5 Problems
- Rubbing Noise From Rear Differential When Turning. ...
- Noise From Top of Front/Rear Doors When Windows Are Fully Up. ...
- Front Thrust Rod Bushings May Fail. ...
- Multiple Power Steering Hoses May Simultaneously Fail. ...
- Blower Final Stage Fan Resistor May Fail. ...
- Rear sway bar brackets cracking.
Are BMW M5 reliable?
Reliability rating
The BMW 5 Series range (including the M5) has a poor reliability score of 47% as of January 2024, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.
What engine does the 2003 M5 have?
Used 2003 BMW M5 - Specs & Features
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Base engine size | 4.9 L |
| Cylinders | V8 |
| Base engine type | Gas |
| Horsepower | 394 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
What is the best year for a BMW M5?
E39 M5 (1998-2003)
M-division aficionados might find it impossible to agree on one particular version as being the outright best, but we'd wager almost all of them would say that the E39 was one of the greatest.
2003 Bmw M5 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw M5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Steering problems
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Bmw M5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2003 Bmw M5 complaints
The NHTSA has received 18 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Bmw M5.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-10-27
- VIN: WBADT63483C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-27
- VIN: WBSDE93433C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-25
- VIN: WBADT43413G
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT REPLACING THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN MY CAR. I RECEIVED THE INITIAL NOTICE OVER 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED OVER A MONTH AGO BUT I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN A SECOND NOTICE. THE BMW DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE WITH THE BMW IT'S JUST PRECAUTIONARY BUT THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-27
- VIN: WBADT43463G
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-03-24
- VIN: WBSDE93463C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL. BMW HAS YET TO ISSUE A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE INITIAL NOTICE WENT OUT. MY LOCAL DEALER AND BMW USA HAS NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN A FIX WILL BE AVAILABLE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-07-01
- VIN: WBSDE93403C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE JULY 2015 FOR BMW TO HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE POTENTIALLY FATAL AIR BAG FLAW IN MY CAR. I AM STILL WAITING. THIS IS RECALL CAMPAIGN 15V-318: DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-12-18
- VIN: WBADN63443G
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING APPX 40MPH WHILE ON A LOCAL ROAD SLIGHTLY UPHILL, ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. LUCKILY NO CARS AROUND ME SO I WAS ABLE TO BARELY ROLL OVER TO THE ROADSIDE. CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN, WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. REPLACED ECU FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2K. *TR
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-05-11
- VIN: WBSDE93493C
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-11-21
- VIN: WBADN63443G
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPX 35MPH WITHOUT WARNING, NEARLY CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND INSTRUMENT. DEALER REPLACED BOTH DME AND BATTERY WHICH WAS SUSPICIOUS SINCE TWO UNRELATED COMPONENT FAILED AT SAME TIME? EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, ENDANGERING BOTH MY PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS NEARBY. RECALL TO THE DME AND BATTERY SHOULD BE ISSUED. REPAIR COST $2500. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-08-09
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBADT63493C
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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 #[XXX] WAS ASSIGNED BY OFFICER [XXX] 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. IN 2010 NEW COUNTRY BMW IN HARTFORD TWICE REPLACED THE CLIMATE CONTROL FAN FINAL STAGE RESISTOR, ONCE IN APRIL AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER, AT NO CHARGE FOR THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. IN THE DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS AGAIN ACTING ERRATICALLY, AND THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THE FINAL STAGE RESISTOR WAS FAILING ONCE AGAIN. BMW NORTH AMERICA INSPECTED THE CAR AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAULT IN THE AREA BEHIND THE DASH WHERE THE FINAL STAGE RESISTOR IS LOCATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-01-31
- VIN: WBADN63413G
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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. *TR
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-07-30
- VIN: WBADN53423G
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: INSTALLED TWO NEW BRIDGESTONE POTENZA POLE POSITION RE 960AS IN JULY 2010(PURCHASED FROM THETIRE RACK),ON MY 2003 BMW 540I(AT BRIDGESTONE TIRE DEALER).REAR,275R1835.TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 40MPH ON A VERY WELL MAINTAINED ROAD(LAKE SHORE DRIVE,IN CHICAGO),LOUD BANG WAS HERD FROM THE BACK AND GOT FLAT WITHOUT RUNNING OVER ANY DEBRIS ON THE ROAD.CLAIMED THROUGH THE SELLER(THE TIRERACK),THE TIRE WAS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION(SINCE THE CUT AND THE DISINTEGRATION SEEMED CONSISTENT WITH MATERIAL DETECT) BUT RECEIVED A COLD SHOULDER FROM THEM CITING THAT THE BLOWN TIRE DID NOT HAVE A DEFECT. THE SELLER REFUSED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY(THE TIRE WAS REGISTERED FOR THAT). WHAT TO DO? *TR
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-08-10
- VIN: WBADN534X3G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: THE 2003 BMW 540I POWER STEERING PUMP SPOOL VALVE WAS FOUND (DISASSEMBLED AND JUDGED BY BMW TECHNICIAN) TO JAM AT LOWER RPM THUS CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, ESPECIALLY IN REDUCED RPM TURNS OFF HIGHWAYS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I NEARLY CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN-WALL BECAUSE OF IT. I SENT A LETTER TO BMW BUT ALL THEY TOLD ME IS THAT IT WOULD BE FORWARDED BUT THAT I WOULD NEVER HEAR BACK FROM THEM AGAIN. I CONSIDER THIS A MATERIAL/PART FLAW THAT BMW HAS TO CONSIDER AS SERIOUS AND OFFER SOME FORM OF REPAIR/REPLACE PLAN OR CUSTOMER-DIRECTED ACTION AS IT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS CRASHES DURING TURNING MANEUVERS! *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-07-10
- VIN: WBADT63483C
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. "ENGINE FAILSAFE" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED, KEY TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW IS AWARE OF AND HAS ISSUED A RELATED TSB. $2000 PLUS REPAIR BILL FOR A NEW "ENGINE WIRING HARNESS". BMW SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES. *TR
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-02-04
- VIN: WBADT63483C
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: BMW 530I 2003. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE. NO MANUAL OVERRIDE. FORCED TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE AND EXIT FROM ANOTHER DOOR. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-11-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 540. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG AND REAR DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, INJURING HER LEFT ARM AND LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A BMW DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-04-06
- VIN: WBADN53453G
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: FUEL GUAGE FAILED, INDICATED HALF TANK GAS WHEN TANK WAS EMPTY, AND CAR RAN OUT OF GAS ON FREEWAY. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-11-09
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WBSDE93403C
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: MY 2003 BMW 5 SERIES CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED. THE COLLISION PUSHED THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA BY BREAKING THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE FOLD-DOWN SEATS. ANYONE IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED FORWARD BY THE SEAT BACKS, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE SEATBELTS.*AK
2003 Bmw M5 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2003 Bmw M5.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Park It: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
Positive 2003 Bmw M5 car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2003 Bmw M5 problems:
2003 M5 Common Problems
Sep 19, 2017 ... Is there are master list of the common Problems for a 2003 BMW M5? I am looking for insight and wisdom before I look at a sketchy salvage ...
M5 common problems and running costs | BMW M5 Forum and M6 ...
Jul 21, 2005 ... To answer original questions, clutch is weak, cam position sensors and MAFs tend to go bad, rear sway bar brackets are weak, and some cars have ...
E39 M5 Engine Reliability
The E39 M5's S62 V8 can last 300,000 miles on original components. The S62 can also fail at 40,000 miles. Thankfully, there seem to be many more instances of ...
What to look out for when buying an E39 M5? | BMW M5 Forum and ...
Dec 28, 2012 ... 1. Steering wheel wobble when braking. · 2. Broken rear sway bar brackets. · 3. Shifter tremble/wobble at cruising speed or when backing up ...
Is the e39 M5 reliable? | BimmerFest BMW Forum
Jul 27, 2014 ... Overall, like any car, the E39 M5 is a reliable car provided it's well looked after. There's plenty of examples that are 200,250 and even 300K ...
Other years of Bmw M5
Are you having problems with your 2003 Bmw M5?
Maxwell Tillman 2024-11-29
Congratulations on owning your first fast car! It's amazing to hear that even after 1 1/2 years, you still get excited to drive your M5. If you ever get the chance to have a professional show you what it can do on the track, I highly recommend taking it. You'll be surprised by the car's capabilities. Additionally, it's great to hear that you can still fit your family in the car and go out for a drive. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Brenden Dibbert 2024-11-15
The car handles like it's on rails and delivers awesome performance. While the radio has some electronic gremlins that shut it down from time to time, the standard audio system is still satisfactory. However, it's not as good as the one in my previous Lexus. The cupholders could have been designed better and seem like an afterthought by the design engineers.
Amir Nikolaus 2024-10-27
From a $75K 4 door luxury performance sedan with a 6 speed manual. Handles like a dream, quiet and solid, sleek and stealthy. The benchmark others strive for.
Luigi Gerlach 2024-10-24
This is what BMW is all about, and it's the category that no other car manufacturer can compete with. If BMW could only make one car without any business pressure, I think this would be it.
Desmond Schamberger 2024-09-14
I've always dreamed of owning a car that was perfect, and the M5 is just that. The drivetrain is outstanding, the braking is phenomenal, and the build quality is very impressive. I drive the M5 a lot through towns and on highways, and it's always a pleasure. Although the gas mileage isn't great, it's all made up for by the car's luxurious features. The stereo system is of very high quality, and all the interior materials have a nice feel to them. The M5 is a luxury car that drives like a smooth, slick race car, and in the world of sports sedans, it simply can't be beaten.