2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,270 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 BMW M3:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #3

Sep 162017

M3

  • 1 miles
Rear subframe structural damage per class action lawsuit bacca V. BMW of North America, llc, case no. [xxx]. I brought my vehicle for maintenace repairs and inspection at a private repair shop and notified me that there is evidence of rear subframe damage during their inspection. BMW did not notify me of this very typical issue of their BMW 3 series models 1999-2006. This is not a typical issue in automotive manufacturing and should be continued to be address by BMW North America due to the compromise of safety to the owners and the public of these vehicles. I have attached a pdf of the class action lawsuit letter regarding the structural issues of the automobile. This obviously was not addressed by BMW properly and should be continued to be addressed as the issues are still relevant up to now. This still raises a safety issue since these models are still being sold today. I've also attached a current photo of my vehicle that shows the evidence of structural damage under the rear subframe of the vehicle. I would greatly appreciate you help in getting this issue resolved with BMW of North America as so prevent further damage and prevent any major accident from happening. Thank you! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 302015

M3

  • 81,310 miles
Windows were closed. There had been a light rain. Temperature was about 90 degrees F. doors were unlocked. Upon shutting the ignition key off in a parking lot, both doors locked automatically and immediately. Lock button on console was not pushed. Both doors would not open, by use of the buttons on the keys or by the console button. Two different keys were tried. The door handles moved, but would not open the doors. I don't believe the outside door handles would have opened the doors either because the doors were "locked". the inside temperature of the car began to rise rapidly so the engine was started to provide air conditioning. Restarting the engine several times did not change the condition of the locked doors. After 10 to 12 minutes I decided to lower the driver's side window and use the key in the door lock on the exterior of the car. This finally unlocked both doors. This could have been deadly if there was an engine fire and I had pull over the car and shut the key off. The doors may lock. A disabled or weak person may not have the strength to break the glass or climb out the window if they panic. I am very scared to use the car at this point...even to drive it to get repaired.

- Newfoundland, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jul 062010

M3

  • 75,500 miles
Re: smg pump failure I have contacted bmwna in the past in regards to the smg (sequential manual gearshift) pump failure in some BMW E46 M3's 2002-2006. Bmwna appears to brush this problem aside. The smg is an electro hydraulically actuated clutch. It changes the gears (utilizing hydraulic pump) without an actual clutch pedal by utilizing the shifter lever located on the center console or the shifter paddle levers on the steering wheel. When the smg fails your vehicle loses engine power and you are unable to proceed. This common problem appears to occur in these model years with as low as 40,000 miles or as in my case 75,000 miles. On July 6, 2010 I took my M3 to weber BMW in fresno, ca. Due to the "check engine light". I was told I would be needing a new smg pump, which I had no choice, but to pay the cost of $3,823.12 for the replacement part. I am a member of a BMW talk forum called E46fanatics.com (forum.E46fanatics.com/search.php?searchid=19190542) and M3forum.com (www.M3forum.net/M3forum/search.php?searchid=9157882) these two web sites provide lots of valuable info in regards to BMW owners who have had problems with the smg pump. I understand cars break down, but when it's a common problem such as this problem and bmwna ignores it, then in my opinion it should be a legal problem. My M3 is and has always been properly serviced as BMW requires. I feel this is a defective part in these M3's built between 2002 and 2006. I am still angry that I had to pay this amount when I strongly believe BMW is aware of this problem, but refuses to acknowledge it's their fault. Thank you for your time, daniel hernandez

- Lindsay, CA, USA