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2002 Bmw 330I: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

45 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

79,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 45 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues817.8%
Braking behavior613.3%
Engine operation36.7%
Steering behavior36.7%
Transmission and shifting24.4%

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
12
Exterior Lighting
10
Electrical System
5
Tires
3
Electrical System:Wiring
2
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
2
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags12
Exterior Lighting10
Electrical System5
Tires3
Electrical System:Wiring2
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift2
Power Train2
Steering2

Air Bags: 12; Exterior Lighting: 10; Electrical System: 5; Tires: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 2; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
7
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
5
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9997
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above5

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 5

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 21 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.

2002
3
2003
3
2004
5
2005
2
2007
2
2009
2
2010
2
2011
2
2013
4
2014
1
2015
2
2016
13
2017
1
2019
1
2020
1
2021
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20023
20033
20045
20052
20072
20092
20102
20112
20134
20141
20152
201613
20171
20191
20201
20211

2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 13; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10007651 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)

TROUBLE WITH CONTI-SPORT TIRES

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007651 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10048623 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)

THE CONSUMER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 5 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO BODY DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048623 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049287 · 2003-12-05 (December 5, 2003)

A/C BLOWS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN SET ON MAXIMUM COOLING POWER ABOUT 40% OF THE TIME (INTERMITTENTLY). PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INHERENT IN THE MODEL...BMW SAYS IF THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT A SERVICE CENTER IN FRONT OF A TECHNICIAN, THEN IT MUST NOT EXIST. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049287 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10050458 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THECONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK *JB *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050458 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10052916 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)

I HAVE A 2002 330CI. I HAVE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT HOME I GET A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE NAVIGATION TRIES TO MUTE THE RADIO. I ALSO CANNOT ADJUST THE NAVIGATION VOLUME AT ALL. IN ADDITION WHEN I TURN THE RADIO POWER OFF THE NAVIGATION VOLUME COMES ON AT A VERY HIGH VOLUME LEVEL. I HAVE BEEN ROUND AFTER ROUND WITH THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE, ETC. BMW HAS BEEN USELESS. AFTER REPLACING NUMEROUS PARTS AND MULTIPLE WEEKS IN SERVICE BMW HAS ONLY MADE IT WORSE. THE BMW…

Owner-reported narrative. 138 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052916 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10062213 · 2004-03-15 (March 15, 2004)

LOW-PROFILE TIRES (SHALLOW ASPECT RATIO) OFFER NO CUSHIONING PROTECTION WHEN ENCOUNTERING POTHOLES. WE HAVE HAD FOUR (4) BLOW-OUTS IN THE FIRST YEAR! TIRE MANUFACTURERS AND CAR MANUFACTURERS PROFIT FROM THIS POOR DESIGN! IT COST US OVER $600 FOR THE FIRST 2 TIRES IRREPARABLY DAMAGED FROM A POT-HOLE! LARGER WHEELS AND LOWER-PROFILE TIRES CAN'T BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION AND BRAKES ARE TUNED TO THE LOW-PROFILE DESIGN. MY WIFE IS READY TO TRADE IN THE CAR! DRIVERS ARE DISTRACTED LOOKING AT THE PAVEMENT FOR POT-HOLES INSTEAD OF WATCHIN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10091663 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)

PROBLEMS WITH LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND WINDOW OPERATING MECHANISM. *MR THE A/C WAS NOT COOL ENOUGH IN HOT WEATHER AND THE WIPERS WOULD STREAK THE WINDOWS. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091663 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10101888 · 2005-01-03 (January 3, 2005)

JACK COLLAPSED WHILE CHANGING A REAR TIRE, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S ARM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE JACK IS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 36,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101888 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

02V057000 · Suspension

Reported: 2002-02-19 (February 19, 2002)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.

Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER MOUNTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
11V438000 · Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

Reported: 2011-08-26 (August 26, 2011)

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.

Consequence: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗
14V428000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)

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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in 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 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.

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 ↗