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2003 Bmw 330CI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

18 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 18 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting15.6%
Braking behavior15.6%

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.

Air Bags
9
Electrical System
3
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
Structure
1
Structure:Body
1
Tires:Sidewall
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags9
Electrical System3
Engine1
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission1
Structure1
Structure:Body1
Tires:Sidewall1

Air Bags: 9; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Tires:Sidewall: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
7
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9997
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 9 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.

2004
1
2006
1
2011
1
2012
1
2013
1
2014
1
2015
1
2016
5
2017
2
2019
2
2020
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20041
20061
20111
20121
20131
20141
20151
20165
20172
20192
20202

2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 5; 2017: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10083395 · 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)

PROBLEMS WITH MICHELIN TIRES ON 2003 BMW 330 CI.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD A DAMAGED MICHELIN TIRE REPLACED BUT ONLY FOUR MONTHS LATER THE NEW TIRE IS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE OLD TIRE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TIRES BECAME TOO HOT THEREFORE CREATING 3-4 INCH BUBBLES AROUND THE WALL WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083395 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10167243 · 2006-09-01 (September 1, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE SENSOR UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER. WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES WITH A CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK, THE SENSOR WOULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CONCRETE BLOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BUMPER WAS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND PUTTING THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AT RISK OF DAMAGE. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167243 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10378147 · 2011-01-21 (January 21, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PUT HER VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE IT MADE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE PROCEEDING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 101,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378147 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10479727 · 2012-10-11 (October 11, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURNING SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB LIGHT; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL) THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479727 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10505303 · 2013-04-01 (April 1, 2013)

DROVE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. LEFT THE CAR PARKED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOOR VIA REMOTE KEY FOB IT DID NOT. I GOT INSIDE THE CAR AND TRIED TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY BUT IT STILL DID NOT LET ME. I HAD MY HANDICAPPED SISTER WITH ME AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HER INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD SOMEBODY COME TO PICK HER UP AFTER OVER 3 HOURS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER CAR THAT WILL NOT UNLOCK AT LEAST MANUALLY WHEN YOU PULL THE DOOR LEVER ON THE INSIDE OR LIFT THE LOCK MECHANISM MANUALLY. NEXT DAY THE LOCK WORKED IN THE MORNING BUT AS…

Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505303 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10592627 · 2014-05-20 (May 20, 2014)

GM5 ELECTRIC MODULE STOPPED COMMUNICATING WITH REMOTE CONTROL. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ACTIVITY FOR DRIVER DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM AND PASSENGER UNLOCK MECHANISM BY ANY AVAILABLE INTERNAL HARD-WIRED OR REMOTE BUTTON. 100% FAILURE OF FOOTWELL TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592627 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10744285 · 2015-07-29 (July 29, 2015)

2003 BMW 330CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG RECALL INSTALLATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE AIR BAG PART INSTALLED, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITH NO EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND A MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10744285 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10837821 · 2016-02-23 (February 23, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10837821 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

13V172000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2013-05-02 (May 2, 2013)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V318000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗