2005 BMW 330I recalls and problems

4 recalls and 28 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW 330I.

4
recalls
28
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 BMW 330I recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 20V018000 · reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC · 292,948 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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

NHTSA campaign 14V428000 · reported June 11, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC · 574,007 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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].

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 15V318000 · reported May 28, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC · 419,235 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Exterior lighting: turn signal · Exterior lighting: brake lights · Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 11V438000 · reported August 26, 2011 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC · 241,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 20, 2019 · Exterior lighting

THE OEM FACTORY ZKW HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS CHEAPLY MADE AND IS KNOWN TO BURN OUT. THE CHEAP PLASTIC USED CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE BULB AND THE METALLIC REFLECTOR FILM EVENTUALLY STARTS TO GO BAD CAUSING VERY POOR HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CONCERN. BMW NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND…

Feb 12, 2019 · Exterior lighting · 130,000 miles

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE LIGHT INTENSITY HAS STEADILY DECLINED IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS OF MY CAR, TO THE POINT WHERE THEY NO LONGER FUNCTION. MY MECHANIC HAS LOOKED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOUND THAT THE PROJECTOR BOWL REFLECTOR HAS PREMATURELY WORN OUT -- IT HAS LOST ITS REFLECTIVE ABILITY. ACCORDING TO THE…

Mar 17, 2017 · Electrical system

I PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT TELLING ME A BULB WAS OUT AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ALL THE BULBS WERE WORKING. I HAVE REPLACE THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE PRONG WHERE STARTING TO MELT. SO I CALL BMWNA AND THEY TOO IGNORED MY FIRST REQUEST FOR THE RECALL…

Feb 3, 2017 · Air bags

"TAKATA RECALL"- WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2016 ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND OUR CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SAYS " YOUR VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL" AND " WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL". PRIOR TO THE…

Dec 19, 2016 · Seat belts

DRIVER SEAT BELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY. IT STILL ENAGES IN LOCKED MODE BUT IT IS VERY LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY PULLED ONTO MY CHEST TO FEEL SNUG AND SECURED.

330I model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2002 64531
2003 67734
2004 411354
2005 42802
2006 7219510
2007 3000
2008 3000

Across all years, the 2006 330I has the most complaints (219). All BMW 330I years →

Questions

Does the 2005 BMW 330I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 BMW 330I, the most recent reported on January 15, 2020 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 330I?
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is exterior lighting (17 complaints), followed by air bags (5).
How many 2005 BMW 330I complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 28 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 20, 2019.