2003 Bmw 330ci problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (9) · Electrical System (3) · Tires:sidewall (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 330ci model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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.
Electrical System 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
2020-08-18 · Engine“the cooling fans exploded after i started my car up following coolant fluid leaking out the bottom of a hose with no warning signs showing the car over heating in the end result.…”
2020-07-21 · Electrical System“it has been more than 8 years all power related to opening/closing the passenger door including the handle does not work, not able to open the glove compartment, not able to open the gas door, not able to open the trunk without having to use the key. convertible top is not working. worst of all i'm not able to have a passenger in the car for safet…”
2019-12-08 · Air Bags · 120,000 mi“went through a pot hole in the freeway and the driver side door air bags deployed..air bag only show half fill..my speed about 60 mph..is this how it works. no damaged except needed wheel alignment.…”
2019-05-14 · Structure:body · 118,006 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. the contact stated that while driving at 25-30 mph, the vehicle went over a bump in the roadway and the rollover protection system activated. the contact stated that there was no accident and that the vehicle did not rollover. the contact stated that safety lever to release the rollover protection system was n…”
2017-09-20 · Air Bags · 146,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2003 bmw 330ci. while driving 50 mph, the contact suffered a stroke and crashed into another vehicle. the air bags deployed and that metal fragments struck the contact in the mouth. the contact sustained injuries to the mouth and lost a tooth. medical attention was required. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to a junk yard…”
2017-09-06 · Air Bags · 96,000 mi“ tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. the contact received the notification in june of 2016. the dealer (bmw of el paso, 6318 montana ave, el paso, tx, 79925) stated that the parts were unavailable for the repai…”
2016-08-30 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v428000 (air bags) and 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. the contact had not experienced a failu…”
2016-08-30 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2003 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 not notified of the issue. the contact ha…”
2016-05-11 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. th…”
2016-03-29 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair. the manufacturer was not notified. the contact had not experien…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.