2003 BMW 7 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
11
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES
The 2003 BMW 7 SERIES has received a total of 11 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (1 complaint), Engine (1 complaint), and Equipment (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 216,257 vehicles.
Recall 10V446000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 198,352 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 04V575000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
| 17,905 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THIS AREA.
Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEATING MAT IN THE BACKREST'S SIDE BOLSTER COULD OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE, OR MELT A SMALL HOLE IN, THIS AREA OF THE SEAT COVER. IF THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD LEAD TO AN OCCUPANT BEING BURNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SEAT HEATING CIRCUIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES
11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assistvacuum | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
SEAT BELT RESTRAINT TENSIONER FAULTY
CAR DOES NOT START CORRECTLY AND STALLS WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS. IT ALSO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR
CAR DOES NOT START CORRECTLY AND STALLS WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS. IT ALSO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB-65-22-10 — SEATS
BMW VEHICLES: REPLACED SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WILL NOT ENABLE. AFTER REPLACING A CIS (CAPACITIVE SENSING PASSENGER OCCUPANCY MAT), THE NEW MAT WILL NOT ENABLE WHEN USING ISTA/P. HOWEVER, ISTA/P SHOWS THAT THE ACSM (ACTIVE CRASH SAFETY MODULE) WAS CODED CORRECTLY. THE FOLLOWING FAULTS ARE STORED IN THE ACSM CONTROL...
611702 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG LIGHT ON; DOORS UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY; AFTER A TELEPHONE CALL HAS ENDED, THE AUDIO VOLUME CHANGES; RAPID DOUBLE-CLICK ON THE IDRIVE CONTROLLER; INITIALIZE TIRE PRESSURE CONTROL DISPLAYED; VEHICLE SETTINGS CHANGE ON THEIR OWN; CONTROL DISPLAY DELAY IN STARTUP; BOOT LID CLOSING PROCEDURE CANNOT BE STOPPED USING THE INTERIOR BUTTON; THE...
360402 — TIRES
OPTIONAL RUN-FLAT TIRES. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 BMW 7 SERIES.
Other Model Years of the BMW 7 SERIES
- 1998 BMW 7 SERIES — 0 complaints
- 1999 BMW 7 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 2000 BMW 7 SERIES — 2 complaints
- 2001 BMW 7 SERIES — 2 complaints
- 2002 BMW 7 SERIES — 5 complaints
- 2003 BMW 7 SERIES (current)
- 2004 BMW 7 SERIES — 35 complaints
- 2005 BMW 7 SERIES — 7 complaints
- 2006 BMW 7 SERIES — 42 complaints
- 2007 BMW 7 SERIES — 18 complaints
- 2008 BMW 7 SERIES — 16 complaints