2005 BMW 330XI: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; 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 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v428000 (air bag) and 15v318000 (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. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 02/05/16*lj *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Letter from senator king jr on behalf of constituent regarding the recall of airbags in his 2005 bmw 330xi (attn: katie fellows). *smd the consumer requested to have the driver side air bag deactivated, until the parts become available.. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Blower motor and resistor went out. Have done ample research, and this is a well known issue of the above vehicle. Faulty equipment in such high numbers warrants explanation/remedies in my opinion. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2014
Show 4 more owner reports
“Takata recall: driver side air bag. We have received 2 notices of defective air bags september 2014 and may 2015. We had the passenger replaced but have waited on the drivers side for over a year. I have been told buy one maintenance supervisor that if we didn't feel safe don't drive it. I have also been told we can have it disconnected. I just want the problem fixed and my wife to be able to drive her car safely. Right now her life is in danger every time she drives her car. Can you help us with this issue?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that all the doors automatically locked and would not unlock. Whenever the engine was started, the doors would lock but while exiting the vehicle the doors would not unlock. The doors would not unlock when using the key fob or manually. The failure recurred once more, but the vehicle was never taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2012
“In august 2011 I got a warning indicator that there may be a problem with my right taillight. In november 2011 (in for routine service and other work) bmw mechanics at my area dealership informed me that my taillight suffered from the same problems identified in the current recall for 2003-2005 3 series taillights that may cause a fire. Bmw told me my VIN "did not appear" to be listed on their recall list and that despite the assessment of their certified mechanics, I would have to file a complaint with NHTSA in order to get you to tell bmw to add my car to the list so that my dealership will fix it. Please do so. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2011
“Self acceleration involving the 2005 bmw 330 xi.***no answer required***.*mr while pressing the brake pedal the vehicle continued to accelerate. After the vehicle was turned off, then turned back on it performed normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2004
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 2005 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 2005 BMW 330XI reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 BMW 330XI. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2005 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.