2002 Bmw 330CI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
88,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 46 complaints (56.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 13.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 |
Air Bags: 26; Electrical System: 4; Seats: 3; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2010: 5; 2012: 7; 2014: 3; 2015: 10; 2016: 10; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10180938 · 2007-01-28 (January 28, 2007)
AFTER DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X 5 FIVE BLOCKS FROM MY HOME, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND PARKED THE CAR. FROM THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO GET OUT AND WALK TO THE REAR OF THE CAR, IT WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND IN SHORT ORDER THE CAR BURNED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS AND HIRED AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN VEHICLE FIRES AND CAUSATION. THE CONCLUSSION OF THE REPORT WAS THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, ORIGINATING IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS SITUATION WITH BMW FIRES ON DIFFER…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10180938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192762 · 2007-06-08 (June 8, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. HE REPLACED THE BULBS, HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG WAS MELTED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,626 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173822 · 2006-11-19 (November 19, 2006)
STRUCK A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN I TRIED TO STOP IN THE RAIN. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DID NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE BUT MY CAR HAD OVER $5700 WORTH OF DAMAGE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 88,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464278 · 2012-07-05 (July 5, 2012)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER MOVED FROM REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10300379 · 2010-01-19 (January 19, 2010)
ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I HAD MY 2002 BMW 330CI SERVICED AT BEVERLY HILLS BMW. DURING THAT $700+ SERVICE, THEY PERFORMED AN INSPECTION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER EVERY MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY, I HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN I ASKED BMW WHY THEY DIDN\'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION DURING THEIR $700+ INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THEY CAN\'T PREDICT WHEN PARTS ARE GOING TO FAIL. WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION -- WHY DID I PAY $700+ FOR AN INSPECTION THAT CAN TELL WHEN SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO G…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10300379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10712019 · 2015-04-21 (April 21, 2015)
CODE P0741 WAS READ FROM VEHICLE. TORQUE CONVERTER. FROM FORUMS AND DISCUSSIONS ONLINE THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY SEAL ON THE E46 BMW. MY VEHICLE CANNOT PASS A EMISSIONS TEST WITH THE LIGHT ON AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10712019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197111 · 2007-07-21 (July 21, 2007)
I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY APPROX. 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR STALLED. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED CAR. I COULD ONLY DRIVE 30 MPH AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS ONLY 26,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1700.00 BUT THE WARRANTY WAS UP LAST YEAR. THERE WAS TSB ISSUED IN 2003. WHY WEREN'T THE OWNERS TOLD ABOUT THIS? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10609995 · 2014-07-11 (July 11, 2014)
THREE OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS STARTED LEAKING AT THE BODY/WIRING TERMINALS. ONE INJECTOR WAS LEAKING ENOUGH TO WITNESS A FREQUENT DRIP (APPROXIMATELY ONE DROP/SECOND) FROM THE BODY, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE VISIBLY WET (HAVE VIDEO OF THIS, AS WELL). LEAK OCCURRED ANY TIME THE FUEL RAIL WAS PRESSURIZED OR THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SMELL OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE WHAT PROMPTED INSPECTION. ISSUE WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING ALL THREE LEAKY INJECTORS WITH NEW ONES (NO ISSUE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW). AM CONCERNED, NOT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609995 at NHTSA ↗