While I was driving the air bags went off.
2003 BMW 330XI airbags problems
13 complaints (39% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,000.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 39%
- typical mileage
- 58,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Frontal2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW 330XI airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
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
- 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 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
What 2003 BMW 330XI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. To this day the light is unresolved, still on
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact received a recall notification for 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle 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. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 06/15/16*lj the consumer stated it has been almost two years, since the recall was first initiated and still no resolution. Updated 06/16/16.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact received a recall notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v3180000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts are unavailable. Updated 04/20/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. 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. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
From the time I bought the car new in early 2003, the air bag sensor light remained on indefinitely. The bmw dealer turned the alert light off several times, and did not fix the underlying problem, indicating that it was only the sensor and that the airbag was working. The light continues to remain on. After several visits to murray bmw in denver the problem was not fixed and the dealership merely turned the alert light off indicating there was nothing wrong, and not repairing the problem. At that time the warranty expired and the repair was never made. Now the air bag light is still on and the dealership will not take care of the issue with the sensor. When the airbag recall was performed, the air bag light still remained on, and the dealership indicated that the replacement of the airbag was not related to the air bag sensor. This is not acceptable when purchasing a brand new vehicle!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that when the front passenger seat was occupied ,the air bag off warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number:14v428000 (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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger air bag needed to be replaced. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v428000 (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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Questions about the 2003 BMW 330XI airbags
Does the 2003 BMW 330XI have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 2003 BMW 330XI, 39% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 BMW 330XI airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,000 miles.
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).
Other 2003 BMW 330XI problems
Electrical 8Tires 4Engine 3Lights 3Body 2Acceleration 1Brakes 1Locks 1Seats 1Steering 1Transmission 1
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