2003 BMW 330CI Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 330CI years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 6th of 7 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 330CI. That ranks 6th out of 7 330CI model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (9 complaints, 50%), typically at around 120,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 18owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 BMW 330CI problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 9 | 50% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 17% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 11% | 69,003 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 6% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 6% | 101,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 BMW 330CI recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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.
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:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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.
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 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.
Air bagsDo not drive
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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 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 [email protected].
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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.
It has been more than 8 years all power related to opening/closing the passenger door including the handle does not work, not able to open the glove compartment, not able to open the gas door, not able to open the trunk without having to use the key. Convertible top is not working. Worst of all i'm…
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY AND THE ROLLOVER PROTECTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLLOVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SAFETY…
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…
Other BMW 330CI years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 330CI | 34 | 2 |
| 2005 330CI | 33 | 2 |
| 2004 330CI | 77 | 2 |
| 2003 | 18 | 3 |
| 2002 330CI | 46 | 3 |
| 2001 330CI | 82 | 5 |
| 2000 330CI | 1 | 3 |
See all BMW 330CI problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 330CI?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, structure problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 9 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 330CI?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 BMW 330CI a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 330CI model years, the 2003 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.