2004 BMW 330Ci

Do not drive

Owners filed 77 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
52,000 milesMedian miles at failure

48 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags28
404
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine9
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission8
000
Exterior Lighting8
000
Electrical System5
010
Fuel System, Gasoline3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Air Bags › Side/Window2
001
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V318000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 2015419,235 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder07E023000
Filed Mar 29, 200713,128 vehiclesCardone Industries, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jun 5, 202510,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to the reverse position, the engine began to rev very high, and the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove reverse into the side of the home. During the incident the vehicle the destroyed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic but the cause of the failure was not determined and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 2, 2024AL

While backing out of a short driveway and placed t to drive, the vehicle revved and started speeding out of control with brakes applied. The vehicle sideswiped a neighbors vehicle before crashing head on into a tree causing it to stop. I had jerked up the emergency brake and ripped the key out of the ignition. The replaced airbags did not deploy.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 17, 2019215,000 milesCA

THE ADAPTIVE BIXENON HEADLIGHTS USE BIODEGRADABLE WIRING. THIS WIRING CANNOT WITHSTAND THE HEADLIGHTS ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE WIRES CAN TEAR OR WORSE THE INSULATION CAN CRUMBLE OFF. THIS LEADS TO A HUGE FIRE RISK. FURTHERMORE, BMW DOES NOT HAVE ANY FORM OF FIXING THE PROBLEM. THEY ONLY SELL NEW HEADLIGHT UNITS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. TO BE CLEAR, NO INCIDENT OCCURRED TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN STANDARD USE OF THE CAR. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB ON ALL CARS USING THIS WIRING, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE E60 M5 PLATFORM. THE RESULT IS HEADLIGHTS THAT CAN TURN OFF AT ANY TIME OR WORSE THEY CAN SHORT AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 7, 2018135,000 milesOH

THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS ARE FLICKERING (STATIONARY OR IN MOTION). THIS POINTS TO A FAULTY WIRING ISSUE, ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THIS ON INTERNET FORUMS FOR THIS VEHICLE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 27, 2017199,227 milesWA

"TAKATA RECALL" I'VE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE VEHICLE APART OF THE TAKATA RECALL. I'M A SINGLE FATHER OF A 13 YR OLD SON. KNOWING THE DANGER MY SON HAS BEEN IN ALL OF THIS TIME HAS SHAKEN MY CORE COMFORT ZONE TO DUST. I'M NOW IN THE PROCESS TO CORRECT THIS BAD AIRBAG CURRENTLY IN MY VEHICLE. MY SON'S FUTURE HAS BEEN PLACED IN RUSK AND THAT WILL NOT BE LEFT UNCHECKED BY MEANS AVAILABLE. I WAS HIT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR AND THE BAD AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, THANK GOD!

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 10, 2017121,127 milesTX

VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING PARKED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, LOW BATTERY 9.8 VOLTS. SPONTANEOUSLY HEADLIGHTS CAME ON SMOKE FILLED CAR, DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY OR BY REMOTE. SHATTERED DOOR GLASS WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER . CLOSE INSPECTION APPEARS FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED FIRE HAD 8 TO 10" FLAMES COMING OUT OF LEFT DASHBOARD. DAMAGE TO HDLT SWITCH,VENTS,DASH,CLUSTER,A PILLAR COVER. PUT OUT FIRE MYSELF SO NO FIRE DEPT. REPORTS.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 17, 201794,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LAMP TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 17, 2017CA

1-10-2017 APPROX. 5:15PM. DRIVING HOME ON I-80 FREEWAY, RAINY WEATHER, 5PM TRAFFIC, SO I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 55MPH, THERE IS SOME ROUGH ROAD BUT NOT REALLY ANY POTHOLES. I DROVE OVER THE BAD ROAD AND THE DRIVER CURTAIN AND DOOR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE WAS NEVER ANY IMPACT BUT THE ROAD DID SHAKE THE CAR. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR THAT FROM THE ROAD. I DRIVE THE SAME ROUTE HOME IN OUR OTHER CAR DAILY AND IT NEVER SETS THE AIR BAG OFF OR ANYONE ELSE DRIVING THAT EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 16, 2016114,000 milesFL

HEADLIGHT WIRING ON MY 2004 BMW 330CI DEGRADED PREMATURELY ACCELERATED BY HEAT AND HIGH VOLTAGE UNTIL IT CAUSED MY HEADLIGHT TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE EARLY EVENING. THE SYMPTOM WAS CAUSED BY THE SUPPLY WIRES TO THE IGNITER LOSING THERE INSULATION AT STRESSED HARNESS ATTACHMENT POINT, ARCED OVER, AND CAUSED THE COPPER CONDUCTORS TO BECOME BRITTLE. THIS SYMPTOM WAS SEEN ON THE PROJECTOR ASSEMBLY WIRING AS WELL AS THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT WHICH DID NOT EXHIBIT THE COPPER BREAKDOWN. INSULATION OF BOTH ASSEMBLIES CRUMBLED TO FLAKES WHEN TOUCHED AND RENDERED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY UNUSABLE. THIS FAULT COULD JUST AS EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DURING WHICH THE SPECIFIED HEADLIGHT FUSES MAY NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THE ASSOCIATED VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THE ONLY PROVIDED SOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS TO BUY A NEW ASSEMBLY FOR A COMPONENT WHICH SHOULD ONLY REQUIRE PERIODIC REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMPS WHEN THEY BURN OUT. FORTUNATELY MY CAR ALSO FLOOD LIGHTS WHICH HELPED TO LIGHT THE WAY WHEN THE HEADLAMP FAILED.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 31, 2016CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 03/09/17.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Aug 29, 2016GA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 2016VA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 21, 2016147,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 19, 2016150,000 milesWA

HEADLIGHT WIRING JACKETS FLAKED OFF. HAD THE BALLAST AND BULB REPLACED IN PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT, BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT NO LONGER WORKED. NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BARE & LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD CLIPPED 2 OF THE WIRES. AFTER REPLACING BOTH THE BALLAST & HEADLIGHT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. BUT A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER, TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOW IT WORKS AGAIN. I KNOW THIS IS NOT SAFE, I SEE WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. NOT SURE HOW TO GET THE NEW WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHT OR DOES THE WHOLE THING NEED REPLACED? IT SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THIS MANY CARS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 19, 2016MN

THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY OFF. EACH TIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE TAIL LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS ON OR OFF. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS OFF, TOO. I SWITCHED THE BULBS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THEY STILL WORK. I CAN'T CHECK MY FUSES BECAUSE MY GLOVEBOX DOESN'T OPEN ANYMORE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2016NV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed May 17, 2016GA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/25/16.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Apr 19, 2016VA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 18, 2016AL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME THAT THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 28, 2016145,000 milesFL

IGNITION SYSTEM: VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW AND HIGH VELOCITY SPEED. HAD TO COMPLETELY TURN THE IGNITION TO OFF POSITION TO BE ABLE TO RESTART. I HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK ON HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. SO FAR 11 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP.

20 of 77 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200634200Do not drive
200533310Do not drive
2004 — this page77310Do not drive
200318400Do not drive
200246440Do not drive
200182630Do not drive
20001300Do not drive

Compare every 330Ci year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.