2002 BMW 330I
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 45
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
29% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 45 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 45 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 113 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2006 | 219 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
29% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Possible Takata inflators - my husband and I were traveling down i-40 westbound in midwest city, Oklahoma at approximately 65 MPH when the driver side, side airbag and overhead airbag deployed without provocation.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-01-11
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-25
Exterior lighting
22% · 10 reportsElectrical system
18% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing wiring and rear compartment/trunk.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 330I. While the vehicle was parked, the contact was advised that the front passenger side caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire and called the fire department.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-02
Power train
9% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Loss of power the battery dies quick and alarm system goes off randomly and the car has lost acceleration air bag needs replaced and the car makes…
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-21
Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system
While driving, vehicle will not stay in gear. Contacted dealer, cannot duplicate problem.*ak consumer adds that the transmission will intermittently slip out of second gear while accelerating between 2500 - 4500 RPM.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-06-19
Equipment
9% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift and navigational system(global positioning system).
Show complaint excerpts
The consumer's son was changing a flat tire when the original equipment jack broke. As a result the vehicle dropped, trapping his arm between the wheel and the vehicle. *nm the plastic part of the jack broke.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-01
Jack collapsed while changing a rear tire, causing injury to consumer's arm. Manufacturer was contacted. The jack is available for analysis.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-01
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002-03-15Suspension02V057000 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…
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…
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R
2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 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…
Remedy: 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.
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2009-04-08Defect petitionClosed 2009-08-06 Rear lamp illumination
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2009-08-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-12-22 Rear lamp illumination
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2009-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 2011-09-28 Rear Lamp Illumination
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2012-02-15Exterior lighting11V438000 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…
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.
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2013-08-09Air bags13V172000 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…
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…
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2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 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...
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.
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2016-08-19Air bags15V318000 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...
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.
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2020-02-13Air bags20V018000 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...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 BMW 330I — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 13 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V057000 · Suspension
- Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 11V438000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 13V172000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 BMW 330I reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 BMW 330I is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 330I?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 330I have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.