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2003 BMW 330XI problems

The most common problem on the 2003 BMW 330XI is airbags, typically around 58,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical 330XI model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Year score
54/100
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
17
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 2003 BMW 330XI problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    13
  • Electrical
    8
  • Tires
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Lights
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    13
  • Electrical
    8
  • Tires
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Lights
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 5

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected
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 bagsReported June 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag 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, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in 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 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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 14V428000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles affected
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 bagsReported May 2, 2013 · 43,204 vehicles affected
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

Exterior lighting: turn signalReported August 26, 2011 · 241,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
Risk
Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
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.

Recall number 11V438000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2003 BMW 330XI

Defect investigations

Rear Lamp IlluminationOpened December 18, 2009, closed September 28, 2011

In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.An 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.BMW will complete dealer notification in September 2011 and will begin owner notification in October 2011.All 3 series sedans (except for the M3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.The action taken by BMW is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

EA09019

Rear lamp illuminationOpened August 7, 2009, closed December 22, 2009

Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.

PE09036

Rear lamp illuminationOpened April 8, 2009, closed August 6, 2009

In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.

DP09002

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 BMW 330XI 17

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 17 bulletins for the 2003 BMW 330XI

2003 BMW 330XI fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD16-1823-2719-21

What 2003 BMW 330XI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Airbags · TX · 1 injury

While I was driving the air bags went off.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Tires · NC

Continental Sport Plus 215/50 ZR17 Replaced Michelin tires with four of this size/brand. Highly unstable at highway speeds. Even more unstable under wet roadway conditions.

Filed Jan 30, 2022 · Engine · LA

Coolant leak from exhaust manifold Reservoir fails All coolant hoses fail

Filed Nov 13, 2021 · Electrical · NC

Power windows Power windows broke on 3 windows. Sometimes the glass has shattered. Sometimes the glass just slides down and becomes non operational. Glass shattering has been scary and dangerous. This has occurred while driving. I live in a state with lots of weather. Thunderstorms. Has occurred with child in car seat during a thunderstorm. At highway speed. I have had them repaired at dealerships and at independent bmw repair shops. Cost has been approx $600. This began as early as 2010 and continues to this day.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Lights · 158,300 miles · MN

330i sedan - zkw hid headlights with burnt xenon bulb reflectors rendering the headlights ineffective and the car unsafe to drive at night.

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 165,000 miles · TN

On or around the first week of dec. 2020 after filling up with gas, the car just stopped while in motion without any prior dash warning indicators. I placed the car in park and restarted the car on the first try. At that time I thought it may have been bad gas. Fast forward to jan. 09, 2021 while pulling up to gas station car accelerates while I am applying brakes. Very scary because I could have killed someone. I put the car in park and it revved up as though my foot was on the accelerator. This has started to happen on a regular basis, although. Intermittently. Researching this issue I found this has been discussed in several bmw forums since 2002 and appears to happen in older and newer cars regardless of model types. I have maybe 165,000 miles on my car and the maintenance is very well documented and consistent.

Filed Apr 22, 2020 · Body · 175,000 miles · TX

Power to car was cut. Could not unlock doors or pull door handle to open door/unlock. Stuck inside.

Filed Apr 4, 2020 · Steering · 126,000 miles · GA

While driving about 50mph I slowed down to make a right turn and during the turn the steering wheel stopped half way during a full rotation and locked up preventing me from making a full right hand turn. Once parked I attempted to turn the steering wheel to the right and it stopped halfway through the turn again.

Filed Oct 14, 2019 · Body · 110,000 miles · NC

Window broke while driving down highway. Right rear passenger window was being lowered. Hear what sounded like a cracking sound. Window stayed in the down position and could not be raised. Small child was seated in his car seat next to window. We were traveling on highway at a speed of 70 MPH. (hwy 540). A thunderstorm began, no safe way to pull over for about a mile or two. 4 yr old child was scared, wet and hot (north carolina-summer). Child was not harmed, just very scared. Semi trailer trucks hauling by. Very busy time of day. Child was my neighbors son, I was helping pick him up from daycare because her other child was sick I bring this to your attention as this is the 5th window on this vehicle that this has occurred. Each time it has been jarring to say the least to hear glass cracking as you lower the window. I've had to leave my car open to the elements, thrived. Each time the cost to repair a window has been around $600. I go to very reputable repair shops here and in california. Things have been sucked out of the window due to the force of the wind. This is ridiculous. One incident was enough, but 5!!! I have owned many vehicles over the years and the windows don't have a problem. It scary and a major distraction for the driver. Unbelievable. Bmw has a big problem. My first occurrence was in 2010 and they have continued though 1218. Currently the front passenger window is also make a glass scraping sound, so we just lease it up. That window had been replaced in 2010.. Something should be done about this. It's all over the internet, I don't have any photos to provide since I was always in such a hurry to get them fixed due to weather conditions. Please help this a big problem for us bmw drivers.(I'm glad the toddler in my car was unharmed, no broken glass got on him. My 1999 ford expedition windows have no problems, even with my 3 boys using them.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 164,300 miles · VA

All exterior lights comes on when the car is off, and now the car stays on when the key out out of the ignition. The recall was fixed before about the lights but they started back again I just got the car and I can't even drive it without the battery dying if I go to work or even the store

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2003 BMW 330XI

Is the 2003 BMW 330XI reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2003 BMW 330XI, 1.6 times a typical 330XI model year.

What is the 2003 BMW 330XI year score?

The 2003 BMW 330XI scores 54 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 330XI: 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 330XI?

Airbags, with 13 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles. Next is electrical (8).

How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 330XI have?

5 recalls, covering air bags and exterior lighting.

Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 330XI airbags?

Yes, 4 recalls: 20V018000, 14V428000, 15V318000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 330XI have bad airbags?

The BMW 330XI model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (67 complaints) and 2003 (13 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 330XI get?

Official estimates for the 2003 BMW 330XI range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 16-18 city and 23-27 highway.

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