MYRModel Year Report

2003 BMW 330XI

○ Not enough data
2003 BMW 330XI
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:06:48.471Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
33
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 11 complaints 2001 2002: 20 complaints 2003: 33 complaints 2003 33 2004: 13 complaints 2005: 12 complaints 2005 2006: 104 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011
2001: 11 complaints 2001 2002: 20 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2003 33 2004: 13 complaints 2004 2005: 12 complaints 2005 2006: 104 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2011
2001: 11 complaints 2001 2002: 20 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2003 33 2004: 13 complaints 2004 2005: 12 complaints 2005 2006: 104 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2011

2003: 33 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
20000
200111
200220
200333
200413
200512
2006104
20070
20080
20090
20100
20110

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

39% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While I was driving the air bags went off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-23

Takata recall: air bags were replaced on 11/23/16. The air bag red light indicator remained on and was never reset by the dealer. Dealer was notified several times to resolve the issue but never resolved the issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-13

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

24% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 330 xi. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the instrument panel caught fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The police were contacted and a fire report was on file.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-10

The doors on our bmx 330XI will lock and we cannot unlock them from the inside or the outside using the interior or exterior door handles or the key fob. My wife and kids had to climb out of the windows to get out of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-04

Also filed under Latches/locks/linkages

Tires

12% · 4 reports
Show complaint excerpts

On 3 separate occasions in past 2 years I have experienced tire blow outs on a total of 4 tires on my 2003 BMW 330XI. All were caused by driving on highways at highway speeds and striking either a pothole or a raised manhole cover.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-09-26

Complaint regarding defective goodyear tires. *mr there was a bubble on the front left tire. *sc the consumer believed the tire was defective and should not have to pay to have it replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-01

Exterior lighting

9% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing tail lights.

Show complaint excerpts

Tail lights failed on my 2003 BMW 330XI. The shop foreman at my BMW dealership explained that he has been seeing a lot of tail light failures because the wiring was not designed to handle the load and therefore the wires have been frying out.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-10-05

Structure

6% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing body.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2009-04-08Defect petitionClosed 2009-08-06 Rear lamp illumination
  2. I
    2009-08-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-12-22 Rear lamp illumination
  3. I
    2009-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 2011-09-28 Rear Lamp Illumination
  4. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 BMW 330XI — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V438000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V172000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2003 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 2003 BMW 330XI?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 330XI have?
5 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.