2003 BMW 325I engine and engine cooling problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2003 BMW 325I — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Engine vapor separator, hoses, dipstick, and vanos line replacement. This part separates the water vapor from the oil to remove condensation so it doesn't circulate inside the engine. The car was unsafe to drive with a faulty vapor separator and can cause engine vapor lock if it fails. The repair…”
filed Jan 9, 2012
“The oil filter housing gasket fails on bmw cars. It is a mesh gasket between the engine and the block where the oil enters/exits the filter. The repair is about $600 and fails frequently on these cars. It causes oil to leak onto the block and gives a strong burning oil smell. Oil can accumulate on…”
filed Jan 9, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
E46 SULEV/PZEV: FUEL TANK DISPOSAL PROCEDURE: E46 M56 vehicles, in addition to meeting the SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission) tailpipe emission standard, also conform to the Zero Evaporative Emissions (PZEV) regulations…
B160317 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2020
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other 325I years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 325I | 27 | 5% |
| 2004 325I | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 325I | 9 | 6% |
| 2001 325I | 17 | 11% |
| 1995 325I | 3 | 10% |
| 1993 325I | 5 | 24% |
| 1992 325I | 14 | 35% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 BMW 325I
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.