The cooling fans exploded after I started my car up following coolant fluid leaking out the bottom of a hose with no warning signs showing the car over heating in the end result.
The worst 2003 BMW 330CI problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags9
- Electrical3
- Body2
- Engine1
- Lights1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags9
- Electrical3
- Body2
- Engine1
- Lights1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Recall number 20V018000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. 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.
Recall number 15V318000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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].
Recall number 13V172000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 BMW 330CI 17
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal...
- Service action
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement. customer support program. front driver side airbag modules.
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes...
2003 BMW 330CI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 25-27 | 20-22 |
What 2003 BMW 330CI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
It has been more than 8 years all power related to opening/closing the passenger door including the handle does not work, not able to open the glove compartment, not able to open the gas door, not able to open the trunk without having to use the key. Convertible top is not working. Worst of all I'm not able to have a passenger in the car for safety purposes. Dealers have not been helpful. Car is like new with less than 80,000 miles.
Went through a pot hole in the freeway and the driver side door air bags deployed..air bag only show half fill..my speed about 60 MPH..is this how it works. No damaged except needed wheel alignment.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. The contact stated that while driving at 25-30 MPH, the vehicle went over a bump in the roadway and the rollover protection system activated. The contact stated that there was no accident and that the vehicle did not rollover. The contact stated that safety lever to release the rollover protection system was never installed in the vehicle. The contact stated that the convertible top was unable to be lowered or raised. Winslow bmw of colorado springs located at 5845 n nevada ave, colorado springs, co 80918, (719) 387-9650 was contacted by phone and an appointment was schedule to have the vehicle diagnosed and inspected which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,006.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 bmw 330ci. While driving 50 MPH, the contact suffered a stroke and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed and that metal fragments struck the contact in the mouth. The contact sustained injuries to the mouth and lost a tooth. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a junk yard. A police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) in august of 2017. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact received the notification in june of 2016. The dealer (bmw of el paso, 6318 montana ave, el paso, tx, 79925) stated that the parts were unavailable for the repair, and that they would call when they had parts available for the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v428000 (air bags) and 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330ci. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Compare the 2003 BMW 330CI
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Questions about the 2003 BMW 330CI
Is the 2003 BMW 330CI reliable?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2003 BMW 330CI, fewer than a typical 330CI model year.
What is the 2003 BMW 330CI year score?
The 2003 BMW 330CI scores 87 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 330CI: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 BMW 330CI?
Airbags, with 9 complaints. Next is electrical (3).
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 330CI have?
3 recalls, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 330CI airbags?
Yes, 3 recalls: 20V018000, 15V318000, 13V172000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 330CI have bad airbags?
The BMW 330CI model years with the most airbags complaints are 2004 (31 complaints), 2002 (27 complaints) and 2006 (26 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 330CI get?
Official estimates for the 2003 BMW 330CI range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 25-27 highway.
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