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2003 BMW 7 Series: common problems and reliability
· E65One of the worst 7 Series years.
One of the BMW 7 Series years to avoid. All 7 Series years
97 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 7 Series?The 2003 BMW 7 Series has 97 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and power train. Owners most often flag electrical problems.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 BMW 7 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 7 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the 7 Series?
Across the 30 7 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2022) to 317 (2006). With 97 complaints, the 2003 7 Series sits above the model's median of 35.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 7 Series
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 10V446000BMW 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.
seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Campaign 04V575000ON 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.
What owners report on the E65 7 Series
Owner sentiment for the 2001-2008 E65 7 Series is overwhelmingly negative, with the dominant theme being that these cars are financially ruinous to own.
- Very frequentElectrical problems
- Very frequentEngine problems (general)
- RecurrentCooling system issues
- RecurrentOil leaks
- RecurrentValve stem seal failure
Owner insights for the E65 7 Series. Read the full E65 owner report.
Other 7 Series model years
Compare every 7 Series year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 7 Series against its rivals
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