RecallMyCar

2003 BMW M5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 2003 BMW M5, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
3
owner complaints to NHTSA
15–17
MPG combined (EPA)

1 safety recall for the 2003 BMW M5

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive

    NHTSA 15V318000 Reported 419,235 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

    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…

    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…

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 BMW M5 have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2016 with 3 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 sta”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 22, 2016 · Air bags

“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 availabl”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 24, 2016 · Air bags

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 BMW M (M3, M3 Convertible, M5). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined15–17 mpg
City / Highway12–15 / 19–22
FuelPremium
EPA classCompact Cars, Minicompact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engine6/8 cyl, 3.2/4.9 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S6); Manual 6-spd

Compare BMW M5 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every BMW M5 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1989 BMW M510
1990 BMW M510
1991 BMW M530
1992 BMW M520
1993 BMW M510
1994 BMW M510
1995 BMW M510
2000 BMW M524
2001 BMW M534
2002 BMW M526
2003 BMW M513
2006 BMW M5139
2007 BMW M516
2008 BMW M526
2009 BMW M520
2010 BMW M521
2013 BMW M5210
2014 BMW M512
2015 BMW M513
2016 BMW M521
2018 BMW M536
2019 BMW M538
2020 BMW M532
2021 BMW M512
2022 BMW M501
2025 BMW M521
2026 BMW M510

Checking a specific 2003 BMW M5

How do I know if my 2003 BMW M5 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2003 BMW M5; your car may already have been repaired under it.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 15V318000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other BMW models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.