Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 BMW 530IA
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
746.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 149,743 mi
Engine & Cooling
426.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 4,800 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
213.3%
Median failure at 91,110 miles
Seats
16.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 121,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
114.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
342.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
228.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2003peak 3Jan 2020
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 121,000 milesAlpharetta, GAFire
SEATS
I GOT INTO MY CAR. STARTED IT. I PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND TURNED ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER. I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEADED TO MY DR. APP. ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOME I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I STARTED TO LOOK AROUND MY CAR WHILE STILL DRIVING. AS I LOOKED LEFT BESIDE MY SEAT I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM BETWEEN THE SEAT AND MY BACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR IN THE ROAD AND UNBUCKLED MY SEAT BELT. I LEANED FORWARD AND LOOKED BACK AT MY SEAT WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. I SAW A ROUND HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE GREY LEATHER SEAT WITH A RED GLOW COMING FROM THE HOLE WITH A FLAME. I IMMEDIATELY USED MY FINGER TO TRY TO SNUFF OUT THE FLAME. I THEN NOTICED MY SHIRT WAS ALSO SMOKING WITH A HOLE BURNED THROUGH IT. I PATTED OUT MY SHIRT AND THEN REALIZED THE SEAT WARMER WAS THE PROBLEM SO I QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO MAKE SURE MY SHIRT AND SEAT WERE NOT STILL BURNING. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITH NO TURNS APPROXIMATELY 2 BLOCKS FROM MY HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10817723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,743 milesHamilton, NJCrash
AIR BAGS
CAR SLID INTO A POLE DUE TO THE WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER WAS HIT BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THERE REALLY WASN'T MUCH DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10692876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,800 milesLongmeadow, MAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
MY 4 MONTH OLD 2003 BMW 530IA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE STARTING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE SITTING OUT ON MY DRIVEWAY NEXT TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND HAD BEEN OFF FOR 3.5 HOURS. BMW 5 SERIES CARS HAD FIRES JUST LIKE THIS ONE IN 2001 MODELS AND BMW ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE OF A FAULTY AUXILIARY COOLING FAN SWITCH. THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT EVEN THOUGHT THEIR REP, JERRY GASPARRINI TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED IN 2001 BASED ON THEIR ENGINEER'S ASSESSMENT. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY HOUSE BURNING DOWN AND POSSIBLY ALSO FATALITIES. WE WERE LUCKY. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THE RESPONSIBLE SUPPLIER NEEDS TO BE SMACKED DOWN GOOD AND FINED HEAVILY.
NHTSA complaint #10014007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Griffin, GA
AIR BAGS
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY A BMW RECALL PERSON WHO HAS CLEARD MY VEHICLE OF HAVING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. HOWEVER, I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTIFICATIONS VIA MAIL. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STOP THE FLOW OF PAPER TO MY MAILBOX?
NHTSA complaint #11301833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 530IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PETER PAN BMW (2695 S E CAMINO REAL, SAN MATEO, CA 94403, (650) 349-9077) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10995010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poulsbo, WA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 530IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART 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.
NHTSA complaint #10938840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ENGINE
AT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING FUEL INJECTORS LEAK FUEL FROM WHERE THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL PLUG AND THE METAL INJECTOR BODY MEET. THIS CAUSES FUEL TO SIT ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A BUILD UP OF FUEL VAPOR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AND FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE DRIVER CABIN.
NHTSA complaint #10935141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING FUEL INJECTORS LEAK FUEL FROM WHERE THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL PLUG AND THE METAL INJECTOR BODY MEET. THIS CAUSES FUEL TO SIT ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A BUILD UP OF FUEL VAPOR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AND FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE DRIVER CABIN.
NHTSA complaint #10935141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 530IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10914097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 530IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10888275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mill Valley, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 530IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10870374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesAlpharetta, GAFire
SEATS
I GOT INTO MY CAR. STARTED IT. I PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND TURNED ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER. I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEADED TO MY DR. APP. ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOME I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I STARTED TO LOOK AROUND MY CAR WHILE STILL DRIVING. AS I LOOKED LEFT BESIDE MY SEAT I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM BETWEEN THE SEAT AND MY BACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR IN THE ROAD AND UNBUCKLED MY SEAT BELT. I LEANED FORWARD AND LOOKED BACK AT MY SEAT WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. I SAW A ROUND HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE GREY LEATHER SEAT WITH A RED GLOW COMING FROM THE HOLE WITH A FLAME. I IMMEDIATELY USED MY FINGER TO TRY TO SNUFF OUT THE FLAME. I THEN NOTICED MY SHIRT WAS ALSO SMOKING WITH A HOLE BURNED THROUGH IT. I PATTED OUT MY SHIRT AND THEN REALIZED THE SEAT WARMER WAS THE PROBLEM SO I QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO MAKE SURE MY SHIRT AND SEAT WERE NOT STILL BURNING. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITH NO TURNS APPROXIMATELY 2 BLOCKS FROM MY HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10817723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesFullerton, CA
POWER TRAIN
AT 96,000 MILES THE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DIAGNOSIS WAS P0741 (BMW CODE 48) WHICH IS A FAULT WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC). THIS FAILURE UNTIL CORRECTED RESULTS IN LOWER FUEL MILEAGE, AND A GUARANTEED FAILURE TO PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST DURING STATE MANDATED VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. ADD TO THIS THAT CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE SINCE THE TCC LOCKUP CLUTCH IS SLIPPING RESULTING IN DEBRIS BUILDING UP IN THE FLUID. THIS FAULT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SEAL THAT BMW HAS A HIDDEN SERVICE BULLETIN ON. SEE SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS EXPENSIVE. BMW DEALER QUOTED A BIT MORE THAN $3000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'VE SINCE DETERMINED THOUGH A BMW FORUM THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES TAKING PLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAL IN QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND THAT FAILURE OF THE SEAL WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10713068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesFullerton, CA
ENGINE
AT 96,000 MILES THE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DIAGNOSIS WAS P0741 (BMW CODE 48) WHICH IS A FAULT WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC). THIS FAILURE UNTIL CORRECTED RESULTS IN LOWER FUEL MILEAGE, AND A GUARANTEED FAILURE TO PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST DURING STATE MANDATED VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. ADD TO THIS THAT CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE SINCE THE TCC LOCKUP CLUTCH IS SLIPPING RESULTING IN DEBRIS BUILDING UP IN THE FLUID. THIS FAULT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SEAL THAT BMW HAS A HIDDEN SERVICE BULLETIN ON. SEE SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS EXPENSIVE. BMW DEALER QUOTED A BIT MORE THAN $3000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'VE SINCE DETERMINED THOUGH A BMW FORUM THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES TAKING PLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAL IN QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND THAT FAILURE OF THE SEAL WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10713068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,743 milesHamilton, NJCrash
AIR BAGS
CAR SLID INTO A POLE DUE TO THE WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER WAS HIT BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THERE REALLY WASN'T MUCH DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10692876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,220 milesActon, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 84,220 MILES THE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DIAGNOSIS WAS P0741 (BMW CODE 48) WHICH IS A FAULT WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC). THIS FAILURE UNTIL CORRECTED RESULTS IN LOWER FUEL MILEAGE, AND A GUARANTEED FAILURE TO PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST DURING STATE MANDATED VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. ADD TO THIS THAT CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE SINCE THE TCC LOCKUP CLUTCH IS SLIPPING RESULTING IN DEBRIS BUILDING UP IN THE FLUID. THIS FAULT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SEAL THAT BMW HAS A HIDDEN SERVICE BULLETIN ON. SEE SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS EXPENSIVE. BMW DEALER QUOTED A BIT MORE THAN $3000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'VE SINCE DETERMINED THOUGH A BMW FORUM THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES TAKING PLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAL IN QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND THAT FAILURE OF THE SEAL WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10342367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 600 milesLeesburg, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE, AT ANY GIVEN TIME OR MODE OF OPERATION (DRIVING AT SPEED OR STOPPED), WILL DISPLAY ON THE CONSOLE THE MESSAGE ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG AND THEN THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. ONCE THE VEHICLE INITIALLY STALLS, THE VEHICLE CAN USUALLY BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY, BUT WILL SOON STALL AGAIN WITH THE INTERVAL OF TIME BETWEEN STALLS DECREASING BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE STALLS AND RESTARTS. IF THE VEHICLE IS THEN ALLOWED TO 'REST' FOR ATLEAST A DAY, IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A WHILE (OFTEN SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES), BUT WILL EVENTUALLY START STALLING AGAIN. FIRST EXHIBITEDTHE PROBLEM AT 600 MILES, THEN 1200, 1700, ????... BMW HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10048991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,800 milesLongmeadow, MAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
MY 4 MONTH OLD 2003 BMW 530IA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE STARTING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE SITTING OUT ON MY DRIVEWAY NEXT TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND HAD BEEN OFF FOR 3.5 HOURS. BMW 5 SERIES CARS HAD FIRES JUST LIKE THIS ONE IN 2001 MODELS AND BMW ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE OF A FAULTY AUXILIARY COOLING FAN SWITCH. THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT EVEN THOUGHT THEIR REP, JERRY GASPARRINI TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED IN 2001 BASED ON THEIR ENGINEER'S ASSESSMENT. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY HOUSE BURNING DOWN AND POSSIBLY ALSO FATALITIES. WE WERE LUCKY. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THE RESPONSIBLE SUPPLIER NEEDS TO BE SMACKED DOWN GOOD AND FINED HEAVILY.
NHTSA complaint #10014007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.