Vehicle safety record

2003 BMW 330CI Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2003 BMW 330CI have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in January 2020 for the inflator module.

Share your experience See 4 recalls

NHTSA data checked yesterday

43/100Safety Index

CAbout as many problems as a typical 330CI year, for its age

Complaints: 0
Recalls: 4
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

2003 BMW 330CI recalls 4

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: inflator module

20V018000Jan 16, 2020292,948 vehicles affected

Do not drive

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

15V318000May 28, 2015419,235 vehicles affected

Do not drive

The 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.
The 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.
The 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 bags

13V172000May 2, 201343,204 vehicles affected

Do not drive

The 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.
The 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.
The 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].

Service brakes: master cylinder

07E023000Mar 29, 200713,128 vehicles affected

The problem: Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
The risk: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during april 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.

What owners say

Be the first 330CI owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

No complaints about the 2003 BMW 330CI yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

BMW 330CI: every year compared

2000 2001 2002 02003 2004 2005 2006

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Top problem	Grade
2006	0	2	-	B
2005	0	3	-	C
2004	0	3	-	C
2003	0	4	-	C
2002	0	4	-	C
2001	0	6	-	D
2000	1	3	Airbags	C

All 330CI years

2003 BMW 330CI vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2003 BMW 330CI	0	4	0	C
2003 BMW 3 Series	489	0	17	F	Compare
2003 BMW Alpina Roadster	414	0	5	-	Compare
2003 BMW M3 Convertible	141	0	8	D	Compare
2003 BMW M3 Coupe	141	0	8	-	Compare
2003 BMW 5 Series Sport Wagon	119	0	7	-	Compare
2003 BMW 7 Series	97	2	9	C	Compare
2003 BMW K1200LT	21	0	2	D	Compare
2003 BMW M5	18	1	1	F	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2003 BMW 330CI

Does the 2003 BMW 330CI have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 BMW 330CI: inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (May 2015); air bags (May 2013); master cylinder (March 2007). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2003 BMW 330CI had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2003 BMW 330CI a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 43 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical BMW 330CI year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2003 BMW 330CI has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

2003 BMW 330CI Problems, complaints & recalls

2003 BMW 330CI recalls 4

What owners say

No complaints about the 2003 BMW 330CI yet

BMW 330CI: every year compared

2003 BMW 330CI vs rivals

Own a 2003 BMW 330CI? Share your experience.

Questions about the 2003 BMW 330CI