2003 BMW 330CI: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2019
“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. A police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) in august of 2017. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“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 repair, and that they would call when they had parts available for the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“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 had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“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 experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“2003 bmw 330ci. Consumer writes in regards to airbag recall installation problems. *smd the consumer stated after having the air bag part installed, the light remained on with no explanation from the dealer. The consumer went to another dealer, where they found a module needed to be replaced to correct the problem. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: 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 recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
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.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
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 due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 330CI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 BMW 330CI reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 BMW 330CI. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2003 BMW 330CI have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.