2002 BMW 330XI
Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
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.
Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 33 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 104 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 20 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
8 of 20 total reports mention: air bags.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151201
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151002
3 of 20 total reports mention: electrical system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE SMELL OF ELECTIRCAL FIRE AND THICK BLACK SMOKE POORED OUT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY STEARING COLUM. FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT AND ENGUFFED MY BMW TO NOTHING!
NHTSA ODI report, 20190107
AFTER READING MANY FORUM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MY VEHICLE PROBLEM IS THE GM5 MODULE. THIS MODULE CONTROLS A WIDE SELECTION OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTION ON THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200824
2 of 20 total reports mention: tires.
Show complaint excerpts
SAFETY DEFECT WITH LOW PROFILE TIRES AND WHEELS. (NAR) *MR *LA *CB
NHTSA ODI report, 20040517
2 of 20 total reports mention: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
KEEPS LEAKING ENGINE OIL EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE CHANGES. (CITY STREET, CHICAGO ILLINOIS) STATIONARY MOST OF THE TIME. HASN'T BEEN MOVED SINCE LEAKING OIL. (TOO WORRIED)
NHTSA ODI report, 20200216
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED SLOWLY TO THE SHOULDER AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120522
1 of 20 total reports mentions: visibility.
SAFETY TIMELINE
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
Rear Lamp Illumination
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 CA
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.
Campaign 11V438000 — check if this car was fixed
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 safe
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 p
Campaign 13V172000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V428000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V318000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V018000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 BMW 330XI — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V438000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V172000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V428000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V318000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V018000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2002 BMW 330XI reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 330XI?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 330XI have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.