NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 BMW 530IA Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2003 BMW 530IA right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 13 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 BMW 530IA.

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2003 BMW 530IA owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 530IA, describing incidents dated February 8, 2003 to December 20, 2019.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 7 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Seats 1 complaint

Of the 13 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11301833 · Filed January 25, 2020
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?
ODI #10995010 · Filed June 13, 2017
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…
ODI #10938840 · Filed December 30, 2016
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…

Read all 13 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2003 BMW 530IA right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 BMW 530IA. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 530IA.

Air Bags

ODI #11301833

Incident: December 20, 2019 · Filed: January 25, 2020

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?

Air Bags

ODI #10995010

Incident: May 27, 2015 · Filed: June 13, 2017

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10938840

Incident: September 17, 2016 · Filed: December 30, 2016

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.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10935141

Incident: December 13, 2016 · Filed: December 13, 2016

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10914097

Incident: June 15, 2016 · Filed: October 5, 2016

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10888275

Incident: July 15, 2015 · Filed: July 25, 2016

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 *CN

Air Bags

ODI #10870374

Incident: July 1, 2015 · Filed: May 23, 2016

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.

Seats

ODI #10817723

Fire

Incident: January 4, 2016 · Filed: January 4, 2016

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.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #10713068

Incident: January 14, 2015 · Filed: April 27, 2015

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. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10692876

Crash

Incident: March 6, 2015 · Filed: March 8, 2015

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. *TR

Other BMW 530IA model years

Check your 2003 BMW 530IA VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 530IA at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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