2003 BMW 330I
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
- 77
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Exterior lighting
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
38% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 77 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.
Exterior lighting
38% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing brake lights and tail lights.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the passenger side headlight caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-10-09
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. While parked, the contact noticed that the tailgate light warning light was illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-09-16
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. The contact stated that the service tail light symbol illuminated on the dashboard intermittently.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-04-18
Air bags
32% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
The car was being driven by my house and the transmision started slipping as well as it catching and breaking one of the axles leaving the car to be stuck not being able to move period surely the most important thing this resulted in the car getting...
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-06-07
Also filed under Power train and structure
Takata recall I was involved in a traffic accident on 05/05/2017. I was hit by another vehicle on the passenger side of my vehicle while I was making a left hand turn.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-05-10
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver side air bag inadvertently deployed. The contact panicked and crashed sideways into a concrete median.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-11-10
Electrical system
13% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
Erratic engine idle and stall.at idle engine rpms will drop causing a stall/stutter. This happens frequently and in all types of weather conditions. This effects all 330I zhp (Performance pkg) model.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-11
Engine and engine cooling
10% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Tires
5% · 4 reportsSafety 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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2003Complaint volume 77 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-05-27Visibility03V160000 On certain passenger vehicles, the window lifting anti-pinching device might not function properly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the electronic control unit for the window lifting anti-pinching device. Owner notification began May 27, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to…
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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
2003 BMW 330I — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Exterior lighting: 29 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V160000 · Visibility
- 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 2003 BMW 330I reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 BMW 330I is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 330I?
- The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 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.