CarRecallWatchThe 2005 BMW 330i has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 fires, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Exterior Lighting (20 reports).
2005 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 2005 BMW 330i problems
Problem areas named in the 28 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 20 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
What owners report
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 SHOULD FIND A REPLACEMENT OPTION WITHOUT USING THE POORLY MADE OEM ZKW REFLECTOR BOWL.
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 MECHANIC AND BASED ON MULTIPLE REPORTS IN ONLINE GROUP DISCUSSIONS, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS. THIS DEFECT IN THE HEADLIGHTS COMPROMISES SAFE OPERABILITY AND INCREASES THE RISK OF A NIGHT-TIME ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PART OF THE HEADLIGHT THAT SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT OR NEED REPLACEMENT UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH MY VEHICLE.
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 ON THE 2005 BMW REAR TAIL LIGHT HAZARD, I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL TIME FRAME BUT IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE OTHERS ONES HAVE HAD AND WISH TO GET THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FIXED BECAUSE IF THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL READ ONE THING BUT THE TAIL LIGHT IS SHOWING SOMETHING DIF
"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 LETTER ( AUGUST 26, 2016), THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAD CHANGED OIL AT PACIFIC BMW AND CHECKED THE AIRBAG AND NOTED " RECALL: PERFORMS RECALLS/ REPLACE DRIVER'S AIRBAG/ PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME/ UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL". THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS MATTER, WE CONTACTED ON THE FOLLOWING MONTH BUT THEY SAID " THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE PARTS" AND THEY WOULD
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.
2005 BMW 330i questions
Does the 2005 BMW 330i have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2005 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; 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 2005 BMW 330i?
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Exterior Lighting (20), Air Bags (5), Suspension (3).
How do I check if a recall on my 2005 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.