Model year guide

2003 BMW 525i

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 BMW 525i is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 33 on record.

2003 BMW 525i — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 BMW 525i at a glance

Safety recalls2
Combined21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 BMW 525i recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V015000 · 14/01/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag infl…

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began Ma…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V318000 · 28/05/2015

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 …

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes re…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 8 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 BMW 525i MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,900
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S5) or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 BMW 525i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,500
Fuel only$19,500
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
188.2–189.4 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
56.7 in
Wheelbase
111.4 in
Curb weight
3,450–3,682 lb
Front track
59.4 in
Rear track
60.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 BMW 525i — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

About the BMW 525i

The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 BMW 525i trims & engines on record

Engines
6-cyl 184 hp

2003 BMW 525i vehicles on record

2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT43443G026656 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51020B040578 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA53534B172506 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51050B038176 2003 BMW 525iWBANA510X0B038853 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT41030G008497 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT41050G008498 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51080B038091 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA53534B174028 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51060B027722 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADS41090GU96776 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51080B027141 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51080B039578 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51020B037938 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT41070G008261 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51000B037937 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51060B038820 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51080B027947 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT43483G031679 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT41070G007563 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51010B027241 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT31070GN80389 2003 BMW 525iWBANA51040B037150 2003 BMW 525i 2003 BMW 525iWBADT43413G031006

Other BMW 525i model years

2020 2013 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

2003 BMW 525i — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 BMW 525i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 BMW 525i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 525i get?

The 2003 BMW 525i has a U.S. EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.