Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2003 BMW 7 Series with NHTSA between 2003 and 2018.
The largest single group is the seats.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 23
Against the median year of the BMW 7 Series. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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 7 Series
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seats
218.2%
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Median failure at 100,858 miles
Equipment & Accessories
19.1%
Median failure at 64,500 miles
Seat Belts
19.1%
Median failure at 139,000 miles
Wheels
19.1%
Median failure at 64,500 miles
Tires
19.1%
Median failure at 105,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Median failure at 99,000 miles
Brakes
19.1%
Median failure at 62,300 miles
Airbags
19.1%
Median failure at 101,085 miles
Engine & Cooling
19.1%
Median failure at 99,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
333.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
444.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2003 BMW 7 Series w/SAB
—
—
—
—
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.
Aug 2003peak 2Nov 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 BMW 7 Series
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA12002Opened 10 Apr 2012Closed 24 Jan 2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Rollaway
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option...
PE11025Opened 5 Aug 2011Closed 23 Apr 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Rollaway
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop bu...
Recalls on the 2003 BMW 7 Series
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20103288,167 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.
Recall 20044241,331 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles equipped with heated seats, excessive contact with the seat backrest side bolster upon entering and exiting the vehicle may damage the heating mat located in this area. If this happened, the seated occupant may experience excessive heat in this location. The heating mat could damage, or melt a small hole in the lower portion of the backrest's outboard side bolster. If this were to occur, an electrical/melting smell or small amount of smoke would be noticeable. In some cases, the small hole in the backrest's side bolster could damage the seated occupant's clothing. In rare instances, this could lead to a minor or superficial skin injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the seat heating circuit for the front seat backrests.
Recall 200320238 units in Canada
Engine
On certain 745I, 745LI and 760LI vehicles, insufficient torque may have been applied to the engine oil filter drain plug which could lead to a loosening of the plug causing an initial oil spray and a subsequent oil leak. If this happens, the oil pressure warning light will illuminate, and the message "Engine oil pressure! Stop carefully" will appear in the vehicle's instrument cluster message display area. If a large amount of oil loss occurs, engine damage may result. Correction: Dealer will retorque the engine oil filter drain plug.
Recall 200316835 units in Canada
Other
On certain 745I and 745LI vehicles, due to a software error in the digital engine management control unit, a desynchronization of the valvetronic motors for engine banks 1 and 2 may occur causing a rough-running engine. If this happens, the check engine light will illuminate, and the message "engine malfunction, drive with moderation" will appear in the vehicle's instrument cluster message display area. In certain extreme cases, the engine could stall and the driver may not be able to restart it. Correction: Dealer will reprogram the digital engine management control unit.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 101,085 milesNewport News, VA
AIR BAGS
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE TENSION SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,082.
NHTSA complaint #11145073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,858 milesNewport News, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WITHOUT WARNING, THE HOOD LATCH UNLOCKED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING , HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE 2017/1/23. DEALERSHIP HAS TO SEE IT HAPPEN IN ORDER TO FIX. MILEAGE 100858 AT TIME I FIRST NOTICE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11145074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesClinton, MD
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT RESTRAINT TENSIONER FAULTY
NHTSA complaint #10721738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesFayetteville, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR DOES NOT START CORRECTLY AND STALLS WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS. IT ALSO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10536911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesFayetteville, NC
ENGINE
CAR DOES NOT START CORRECTLY AND STALLS WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS. IT ALSO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10536911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesBuena Park, CA
TIRES
TIRES UNEVEN WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10417144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,300 milesAddison, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSISTS: VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING BUT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONLY THE VACUUM LINE HOSE WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND NOT THE PUMP. THE VACUUM PUMP WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,300. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/11
NHTSA complaint #10369509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,500 milesFort Washington, MD
WHEELS
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295S IN WASHINGTON DC AROUND 11:30PM ON DEC 28TH 2008. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND IMMEDIATELY LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING VEHICLE I NOTICED MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A POLICE OFFICER I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRES WITH A SPARE AND ANOTHER TIRE MY FAMILY MEMBER BROUGHT FROM HOME. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR RIM WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT AND THE INSIDE RING WAS RESTING ON THE BREAK ASSEMBLY. THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT RIM HAD SIMILAR DAMAGE IN THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT AROUND THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE RIM.
NHTSA complaint #10253313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,500 milesFort Washington, MD
EQUIPMENT
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295S IN WASHINGTON DC AROUND 11:30PM ON DEC 28TH 2008. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND IMMEDIATELY LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING VEHICLE I NOTICED MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A POLICE OFFICER I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRES WITH A SPARE AND ANOTHER TIRE MY FAMILY MEMBER BROUGHT FROM HOME. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR RIM WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT AND THE INSIDE RING WAS RESTING ON THE BREAK ASSEMBLY. THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT RIM HAD SIMILAR DAMAGE IN THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT AROUND THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE RIM.
NHTSA complaint #10253313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tustin, CA
SEATS
BRAND NEW BMW 760LI , SEAT MEMORY DOES NOT OPERATE AND MOVE THE SEATS PROPERLY WHEN CAR IS REMOTELY UNLOCKED AS PER THE CARS OPERATING MANUAL AND LISTED FEATURES. BMW NORTH AMERICA TOLD US THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL SEPTEMBER WITH AN UPDATE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR OVER 14 DAYS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHO PAYS THIS KIND OF MONEY TO BE TOLD YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER MONTH FOR A SOLUTION, A SIMPLE ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10030585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tustin, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
BRAND NEW BMW 760LI , SEAT MEMORY DOES NOT OPERATE AND MOVE THE SEATS PROPERLY WHEN CAR IS REMOTELY UNLOCKED AS PER THE CARS OPERATING MANUAL AND LISTED FEATURES. BMW NORTH AMERICA TOLD US THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL SEPTEMBER WITH AN UPDATE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR OVER 14 DAYS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHO PAYS THIS KIND OF MONEY TO BE TOLD YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER MONTH FOR A SOLUTION, A SIMPLE ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10030585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.