2005 BMW 330I: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 28 owner complaints on record; most reports concern exterior lighting; the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2016
“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!”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“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 was not made and car is currently parked as car may cause serious accident in city driving with multiple stops and starts.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2015
“The projector bowls on my 2005 e46 330i show signs of burning. This problem seems to affect all e46 models with zkw xenon headlights. The burn bowls effect the light output often resulting in a poorly lit view of the road ahead. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2014
“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). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2013
“Zkw brand xenon headlights - the back of the projector bowl is made of plastic (vs. Metal in the al/bosch brand, also used by bmw), which over time burns from the heat put out by the headlights. The burn turns the plastic from white to brown/orange, which severely reduces light output, making night driving dangerous. The headlight from my car is so poor that at night I can see the shadow of my car produced from cars behind me. Severe tire damage has been caused due to poor light. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330i. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the headlights were activated but appeared very dim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the technician stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2012
“Purchased the car in april 2012. Noticed that the xenon headlights were not outputting as much light as I thought they should. Inspected the area behind the headlights (the reflective bowls) and discovered that they were burned. Upon researching online, I have found that this is a common problem for the zkw xenon equipped bmw 3 series (e46) vehicles, and the NHTSA has many complaints about this problem already. This is a safety defect in my mind. Headlight reflectors should not burn from their designed usage. This will cost thousands of dollars to replace the headlight assemblies. Bmw should issue a recall for this serious problem . *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
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 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 internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 330I 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 2005 BMW 330I reliable?
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 BMW 330I. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting.
Does the 2005 BMW 330I have open recalls?
5 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.