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2002-2004 · 3 model years

BMW M3 Convertible Problems by year

Owners have filed 343 complaints about the BMW M3 Convertible across 3 model years, and it has 0 recalls. The 2003 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (141). The most reported problem area is the lights, followed by the airbags.

Most complaints for its age2003141 complaints · 0 recallsSee the 2003
Complaints
343
Recalls
0
Crashes
13
Fires
6
Injuries
13
Deaths
0

M3 Convertible complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
2004112013LightsC
2003141082AirbagsD
200290041Engine & coolingC

Most common M3 Convertible problems

Latest M3 Convertible complaints

2004 BMW M3 ConvertibleElectrical systemAirbags

Below is a partial email to a BMW Dealer that replaced an airbag 2 1/2 years ago per a recall. The airbag light, convertible top light were both illuminated when I left the dealer. I have sent emails and contacted BMW USA. A friend scanned the car with a Snap-On scanner that showed that the light has been illuminated because of the air bag that they replaced. They continue to avoid the issue and they made my car unsafe and allowed me to leave with it. What can be done to resolve this issue? From: [[redacted]]...

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<[[redacted]]> Sent: Friday, May 10, 2024 10:06 AM To: '[[redacted]]' <[[redacted]]> Subject: Issues with service during an airbag replacement Good morning [[redacted]], I took my 2004 M3 to BMW of Fort Lauderdale in November 2023 for a passenger-airbag replacement. The airbag light on the dash was illuminated when I received the car. I notified the service manager who stated that the light was not on when he initially got in the car after my arrival. The car was returned to the garage to determine the issue. The car was returned 30 - 45 minutes later and the airbag light continued to illuminate. The service manage told me that the driver's side airbag which was replaced at a different dealership was causing the issue. I got in the car and notice that an oil pressure and voltage gauge that I installed after rebuilding the engine were not working. Therefore, I notified the service manager of the issue. He asked another manager to talk to me. I asked how they replaced the airbag so I would know where to start troubleshooting the cause. He told me that they were NOT in the fuse box because they removed the airbag from the top of the dash. The airbag light has been constantly illuminated since the airbag was replaced at BMW of Fort Lauderdale. I attached an image that shows two passenger side airbag errors that were displayed on a Snap-on scanner on May 8, 2024. This was caused by work done at BMW of Fort Lauderdale. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11745653
2003 BMW M3 ConvertibleWheels & tires

On May 01, 2026, at approximately 0230 while traveling on hwy. I75 I heard a loud pop towards the rear for the vehicle as the car started to slide. I pulled over to the right side of the road nearly hitting another vehicle. I exited my vehicle and noticed the right rear passenger tire tread had separated from the side wall completely. It should be noted there was no warning before the tire failed. I then contacted Continental Tires who advised a take them to Discount Tires for inspection. The service center confirmed the tire tread had separated from the sidewall. The tire has not been inspected by anyone else, but I do have numerous pictures.

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 11735676
2003 BMW M3 ConvertibleAirbags

The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11681428
2002 BMW M3 ConvertibleElectrical systemFire

BMW M 3 parked in the driveway and had been turned off for several hours I was wax the car when I noticed a puff of smoke coming out of the air condition vent so I sat in the driver seat to investigate out of habit I close the door I planed to open the windows and the convertible top to take a look the car went into antitheft mode and locked me inside the smoke became thick quickly I tried to break the window with my elbow with no luck I was getting ready to try to kick the window if I could reach it with my foot...

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I'm on most 70 years old so it was tough even moving I couldn't get out ..my wife and daughter Who were in the backyard and saw what was happening they broke the window so that I could climb out of the car I sprayed the air conditioning vent with water which is also dangerous but I had to put it out I then disconnected the battery as quickly as I could I have called an insurance adjuster and had mechanics look at it apparently the LCM or the light control module for some reason caught fire I was lucky I had someone there to help me someone else might not be as lucky I did breathing a bit of the smoke and I've had cough but I don't feel it's severe I will have it looked out eventually would just like the car to be evaluated by BMW engineers to see if they can figure out why it caught on fire Before I pay money to have it repaired I'm not sure I can drive it again

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11486395
2004 BMW M3 ConvertibleBody, doors & structure

Passenger side rear sub-frame crack observed . Vehicle has never been in any accident or collision. It's a commonly know problem about BMW 3 series made between 1999 to 2006 that happens naturally without cause due to manufacture issue, so I decided to look under my car to look for any cracks as described. I identified at least one crack. After calling BMW USA for assitance, I was instructed to bring the car to have it inspected and confirmed by the BMW dealership in Ontario, CA. Dispite me telling them the...

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location of the crack, they concluded there is no crack and nothing needed to be done. Not satified with their inspection, I went to get a second opinion from an independent machanic/ body shop and they confirmed that there is indeed a crack and took clear pictures to show that. If left untreated, these subframe cracks will spread and the rear of the car can fall off along with the rear axel and rear wheels leading to accidents. The cost of fixing such manufacture issure is also costly, $2500 to over $10000 from the estimates I collected.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11457998

Questions about the BMW M3 Convertible

Which BMW M3 Convertible years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2003 (141), 2004 (112), 2002 (90). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2003 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

What are the most common BMW M3 Convertible problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the lights (78), airbags (75), transmission & drivetrain (45) most often.

How many recalls does the BMW M3 Convertible have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for any BMW M3 Convertible model year on file.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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