2005 Bmw 330i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (11) · Suspension (3) · Exterior Lighting:headlights (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 330i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
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 2018-06-11 · campaign 14V428000 · 574,007 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive i
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in 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 will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2011-08-26 · campaign 11V438000 · 241,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Risk: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (34)
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.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Electrical System 2022-09-01 · B610120 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. alternatively, it will only operate when constant downward hand pressure is maintained.
Equipment 2022-06-01 · SIB662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. note: opening, closing and starting via the bmw digital key or the digital key card are not affected.
Equipment 2022-06-01 · SIB640921 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on these plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phev), the air conditioning cycles from cold to warm air while driving or while at a standstill. the vent outlet temperatures vary by 25 degrees fahrenheit or more (38 f to 60 f+; 3 to 15+ celsius) without changing any climate control settings. a difference
Showing the 6 most recent of 34 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-11-20 · Exterior Lighting“the oem factory zkw headlight reflector bowl is cheaply made and is known to burn out. the cheap plastic used cannot handle the heat of the bulb and the metallic reflector film eventually starts to go bad causing very poor headlight visibility. this is a safety hazard and concern. bmw needs to be accountable and should find a replacement option wi…”
2019-02-12 · Exterior Lighting · 130,000 mi“over the last several years, the light intensity has steadily declined in both headlights of my car, to the point where they no longer function. my mechanic has looked inside the headlights and found that the projector bowl reflector has prematurely worn out -- it has lost its reflective ability. according to the mechanic and based on multiple re…”
2017-03-17 · Exterior Lighting“i presented this problem to the dealer a few years ago the instrument panel light kept telling me a bulb was out and when you look at it all the bulbs were working. i have replace the rear taillight assembly due to the prong where starting to melt. so i call bmwna and they too ignored my first request for the recall on the 2005 bmw rear tail ligh…”
2017-02-03 · Air Bags“"takata recall"- we received a letter dated september 2016 about the recall of the passenger airbag and our car was included in the recall. it says " your vehicle is also affected by a passenger airbag recall" and " we are pleased to inform you that we have the necessary parts to complete this recall". prior to the letter ( august 26, 2016), this…”
2016-12-19 · Seat Belts“driver seat belt is loose and does not retract all the way. it still enages in locked mode but it is very loose and needs to be manually pulled onto my chest to feel snug and secured.…”
2016-08-24 · Air Bags“called about the recall for airbags they just blow me off. i have 2 kids 9 and 12 who rude w me and i'm worried about this problem. no one will give me rental!…”
2016-03-28 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 85,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330i. while driving at any speed, the headlights dimmed without warning. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 11v438000 (exterior lighting), 14v428000 (air bags), and 15v318000 (air bags).…”
2015-08-28 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330i. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. …”
2015-08-13 · Exterior Lighting · 138,000 mi“i brought my car to bmw freeport was a tail light recall & they refused to fix my vehicle. said the harness & wires were melted too much & it would cost $1400 to fix. now i have a safety hazard as i'm driving with no tail light or my wires could catch on fire. this should be covered for free under a recall from 2011.…”
2015-07-14 · Unknown Or Other · 130,000 mi“while accelerating, the entire car shakes violently between 20-30 mph. this does not occur at any other speed and is more pronounce going uphill than down. brought the car in and was told it was a broken engine mount. this same problem was repaired 2 years ago (june 2013) for the exact same thing. this should not be a reoccuring issue. repair …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.