2002 Bmw 330ci problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (24) · Seats (3) · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 330ci model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
23 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V018000 · 292,948 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode d
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-28 · campaign 15V318000 · 419,235 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicle
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this r
Air Bags 2013-05-02 · campaign 13V172000 · 43,204 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service bulletins (17)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Structure 2022-06-01 · SIB510822 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-11-01 · B651820 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action - head air bag holder retrofit: a rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (its) gas generator contacting adjacent component. this noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.
Air Bags 2019-04-01 · B013118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs this service information bulletin supersedes si b01 31 18 dated october 2018.
Air Bags 2019-04-01 · B013118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs this service information bulletin supersedes si b01 31 18 dated october 2018.
Showing the 6 most recent of 17 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-03-03 · Seats · 🔥 fire“my car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. it had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. he took out six cars in a row. heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. but then the fire trucks showed up…”
2022-06-02 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“air bags deployed after collision, vehicle has been released from falcon towing 15600 s main st, gardena, ca 90248 to automobile club for inspection. injuries sustained from airbag deploying include, but are not limited to, lacerations, abrasions, bruising as a broken rib and collapsed lung. …”
2018-10-24 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights · 242,266 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 330ci. the contact stated that the driver's side tail light went out. the contact noticed that the brown wire connected to the tail light had melted. the dealer (bmw of fairfax, 8427 lee hwy, fairfax, va 22031) stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting). the manuf…”
2017-08-29 · Air Bags · 62,000 mi“takata recall. bmw of fairfax, virginia replaced only one of two bags recalled, even though the appointment and work order said to replace both air bags. they then said the job has been completed. however, the passenger side airbag had not been replaced. were it not for my subsequent careful review of the invoice and follow up questioning with the …”
2016-09-14 · Air Bags“takata recall. it has been 14 months since the initial notification of the recall. no communication from bmw. only response to questions is it is pending soon. is there justification for length of time to resolve repair to a "dangerous problem"?…”
2016-08-31 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 330ci. 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 notified of the issue. the contact had no…”
2016-08-24 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 330ci. 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…”
2016-08-11 · Air Bags“received initial contact from bmw in september 2014. "remedy not yet available". campaign 14v 428 and 15v 318. when will these recalls be resolved?…”
2016-08-09 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 330ci. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distr…”
2016-07-19 · Air Bags“it has been two years since my cars as first placed on recall due to faulty airbags, first for the passenger side and since last july the driver side. i am filing this complaint based on this being an unreasonable period of time. i live in north carolina and the takata air bags are more apt to be dangerous in this warm and humid climate.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.