2004 BMW 330XI: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 13 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 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“i was driving about 35mph and hit a pot hole in the road. that caused my passenger front, passenger side door, and passenger aide door top to deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 330xi. 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. The VIN was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“The automatic transmission takes a long time to engage when shifted into drive but once it gets going, it shifts smoothly. I spoke to a technician and there is no known fix for it.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have been waiting for nearly one year for the recalled driver's airbag to be replaced. The dealership states that parts are not available. The news has reported that 70% of other manufacturer's vehicles with the same recall have been repaired. How much longer am I required to wait?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw 330xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags). The part to do 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“2004 bmw 330xi. Consumer writes in regards to front passenger airbag recall replacement. *smd the consumer stated the recall letter she received stated the work would be performed for free. However, she was charged $99.50 for the replacement of the air bag. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that the brake, tail and turn signal lights were defective. The lights would not illuminate when activated and the brake lights would not illuminate when the brakes were applied. The contact replaced the brake lights, tail lights and the turn signals but the repairs did not remedy the issue. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign I.d. Number: 11v438000 (exterior lights) and called a dealer regarding the recall. The dealer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 108,500.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that the headlights dimmed erroneously when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was determined that the reflectors had deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2013
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw 330xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 11v438000 (exterior lighting), 15v318000 (air bags) and 14v428000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2011
“Security lock system failed to allow passengers to exit the vehicle. The doors would not unlock and the passengers had to climb out of the windows to exit. If there were an emergency (e.g. Car drove into deep water) the windows would not function and there would have been no way to exit the car. Seem like a serious failure. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - 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 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 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 330XI 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 2004 BMW 330XI reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 BMW 330XI. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2004 BMW 330XI 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.