CarRecallWatchThe 2003 BMW 330i has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Exterior Lighting (29 reports).
2003 BMW 330i recalls
Passenger airbag may explode and send metal shrapnel into occupants
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these BMW vehicles can degrade over time, especially after long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature changes.
Passenger Airbag Inflator May Rupture, Sending Metal Fragments
The passenger side frontal airbag may build up excessive internal pressure when it deploys, which could cause the inflator to rupture.
Driver air bag may rupture and spray metal fragments
The driver's frontal air bag inflator can be affected by moisture over time.
Most common 2003 BMW 330i problems
Problem areas named in the 77 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 29 |
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
What owners report
THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY HOUSE AND THE TRANSMISION STARTED SLIPPING AS WELL AS IT CATCHING AND BREAKING ONE OF THE AXLES LEAVING THE CAR TO BE STUCK NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE PERIOD SURELY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR GETTING HIT AND THE FUEL TANK EXPLODING MY AUNT WANT NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE CAR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND AGAIN THIS CAR DIDN'T ALLOW THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY THE LOCATION IS UNKOWN
ALL PASSENGER DOORS EXCEPT DRIVER DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED USING ANY METHOD--THE KEY OR ANY UNLOCK BUTTON, OR USING EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. THIS LEAVES ONLY THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OPENABLE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR THIS WAY--I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY KIDS OUT OF THE BACK SEAT. IT HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT, AND MOVING OR NOT.
MY 4TH GT RADIAL TIRE SIDE WALL BLOW OUT. ON 10/29/2017, MY 4TH TIRE BLEW OUT THE SIDE WALL ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. I HAVE SAVED THE THIS TIRE AND THE 3RD ONE THAT BLEW OUT A FEW MONTHS BACK FOR INVESTIGATION. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES.
I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 GT RADIAL TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT AND 3 OF THE 4 TIRES HAVE NOW BLOWN THE SIDEWALLS DUE TO AIR LEAK AT THE SIDEWALL. TIRE #1- RIGHT FRONT BLEW OUT ON 9/28/2016. TIRE #2- LEFT REAR- BLEW OUT ON 7/28/2017, TIRE #3- LEFT REAR ( MOVED THE TIRE FROM LEFT FRONT TO REAR) BLEW OUT ON 8/19/2017. WHEN I CALLED GT RADIAL TIRE TO FILE A COMPLAINT (SEPT 7, 2017 4:12PM EST), I ONLY GOT TO LEAVE A VOICE MAIL TO THEIR CONSUMER SERVICE PERSON. I NEVER GOT A CALL BACK. AFTER THE 3RD TIRE BLEW OUT, I QUESTIONED THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE AND THAT'S WHEN I LOOKED UP TIRE RECALL BY GT RADIAL AND FOUND THEIR TOURING TIRES OF THE SAME MODEL AS MINE HAD THE SAME DEFECT AND WAS RECALLED.
I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 GT RADIAL TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT AND 3 OF THE 4 TIRES HAVE NOW BLOWN THE SIDEWALLS DUE TO AIR LEAK AT THE SIDEWALL. TIRE #1- RIGHT FRONT BLEW OUT ON 9/28/2016. TIRE #2- LEFT REAR- BLEW OUT ON 7/28/2017, TIRE #3- LEFT REAR ( MOVED THE TIRE FROM LEFT FRONT TO REAR) BLEW OUT ON 8/19/2017. WHEN I CALLED GT RADIAL TIRE TO FILE A COMPLAINT (SEPT 7, 2017 4:12PM EST), I ONLY GOT TO LEAVE A VOICE MAIL TO THEIR CONSUMER SERVICE PERSON. I NEVER GOT A CALL BACK. AFTER THE 3RD TIRE BLEW OUT, I QUESTIONED THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE AND THAT'S WHEN I LOOKED UP TIRE RECALL BY GT RADIAL AND FOUND THEIR TOURING TIRES OF THE SAME MODEL AS MINE HAD THE SAME DEFECT AND WAS RECALLED.
2003 BMW 330i questions
Does the 2003 BMW 330i have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2003 BMW 330i: Passenger airbag may explode and send metal shrapnel into occupants; Passenger Airbag Inflator May Rupture, Sending Metal Fragments; Driver air bag may rupture and spray metal fragments; Air Bags; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 330i?
Based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Exterior Lighting (29), Air Bags (25), Electrical System (10).
How do I check if a recall on my 2003 BMW 330i has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.