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Research · Compact Cars

2003 BMW M5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 18 owner complaints for the 2003 BMW M5. Most complaints involve air bags (7) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2015
Owner complaints
18
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$5,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 28, 2015NHTSA 15V318000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

18 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2004 – Oct 2016
  1. Air bags7
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Steering2
  4. Latches/locks/linkages2
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Engine1
  7. Suspension1
  8. Power train1
  9. Tires1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each M5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20004
20014
200219
200318
2006124
20076
20086
20101
201310
20142
20153
20161
20184
20198
20202
20213
20221
20231
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

7 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2016Air bagsODI 10919330

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2012Electrical systemODI 10453159

Steering

2 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2014Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 10568719
All 2003 M5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
4.9L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
M5
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121915$5,150592
  • M5
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.9 L
    12 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 BMW M5 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4963
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 M5 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 BMW M5 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 BMW M5 problems?

Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (7), electrical system (4), steering (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 BMW M5 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 BMW M5 at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026