Total Complaints
38 filings
BMW 330CI · model year
2005 BMW 330CI
38 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005BMW330CI carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 330CI is air bags with 19 filings, followed by exterior lighting (5) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2005 330CI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
38
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 19 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
Recalls (3)
07E02300029/03/2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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 FAI
15V31800028/05/2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
20V01800015/01/2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 PS
Recent Complaints
20240311EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The wires inside the headlight assembly have literally snapped rendering the headlight inoperable. Iâve repaired in places just for them to break where I havenât repaired. Access is very difficult. On a longer trip I wouldnât be able to repair on side of the road. Itâs a manufacturing defect.
20220628EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was pulled over by law enforcement due to malfunctioning taillights. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that he needed to pay out-of-pocket for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V438000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 44,800.
Mileage: 44,800
20210126FireSTRUCTURE:BODY
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRING INSULATION DISINTEGRATED.
20210126FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRING INSULATION DISINTEGRATED.
20210126FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRING INSULATION DISINTEGRATED.
20201003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. I WAS STATIONARY WHILE I DISCOVERED THE FOLLOWING. DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY WITH THE KEY FOB, CONVERTIBLE TOP ALSO, WINDOWS SOMETIMES WORKED, WIPERS ALSO. I READ FORUMS TO REALIZE THE GENERAL MODULE FAILED RELAYS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE OPERATOR, PASSENGERS, AND THE PUBLIC, AND A RECALL AND REDESIGN SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. I TRIED TO ADD PICTURES, BUT THE FORM CRASHES.
Mileage: 84,000
20201003VISIBILITY/WIPER
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. I WAS STATIONARY WHILE I DISCOVERED THE FOLLOWING. DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY WITH THE KEY FOB, CONVERTIBLE TOP ALSO, WINDOWS SOMETIMES WORKED, WIPERS ALSO. I READ FORUMS TO REALIZE THE GENERAL MODULE FAILED RELAYS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE OPERATOR, PASSENGERS, AND THE PUBLIC, AND A RECALL AND REDESIGN SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. I TRIED TO ADD PICTURES, BUT THE FORM CRASHES.
Mileage: 84,000
20201003EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. I WAS STATIONARY WHILE I DISCOVERED THE FOLLOWING. DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY WITH THE KEY FOB, CONVERTIBLE TOP ALSO, WINDOWS SOMETIMES WORKED, WIPERS ALSO. I READ FORUMS TO REALIZE THE GENERAL MODULE FAILED RELAYS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE OPERATOR, PASSENGERS, AND THE PUBLIC, AND A RECALL AND REDESIGN SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. I TRIED TO ADD PICTURES, BUT THE FORM CRASHES.
Mileage: 84,000
20200522AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000(AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO HENDRICK BMW (6950 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28227, (704) 321-4851) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20170918STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC THAT COVERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING STARTED TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WIRES COULD BECOME EXPOSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,124.
Mileage: 157,124
20170918EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC THAT COVERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING STARTED TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WIRES COULD BECOME EXPOSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,124.
Mileage: 157,124
20170808AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL HELLO, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR MY VEHICLE. AS I CHECKED THE NHTSA SYSTEM, IT STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED A RECALL. TAKATA HAS A SETTLEMENT OPEN FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INFORM ME ON THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION, BEFORE THE WORST COULD HAPPEN. THANK,YOU FOR YOUR HELP. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT (678)983-6806. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20170517AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT CONTAINED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,360. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Mileage: 132,360
20161019AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20161014EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSULATION CRACKING ON WIRES TO XENON HEAD LIGHTS LEADING TO HEAD LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO SHORTING OR WIRE BREAKAGE; NOTATION ON WHEN IT HAPPENED IS ESTIMATE BECAUSE I HAD REPLACED ONE HEADLIGHT FOR THIS ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO (NOT KNOWING IT WAS THE CAUSE AT THE TIME). I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AFTER NOTING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. PHOTOS ARE FROM WIRES TO BOTH LIGHTS. ON LIGHT THAT WAS REPLACED NEW WIRES WERE SPLICED TO OLD WIRES BY DEALERSHIP AND PHOTO IS OF ORIGINAL WIRE.
20160918AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED LETTER OF RECALL JULY 2015 AND NEVER HEARD BACK THAT REPAIR PARTS ARE IN.
20160830AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20160815AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. 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.
20160711AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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 TO TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB
20160601AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL IN JULY 2015 AND THE DEALER CLAIMS IT HAS NO PARTS TO REPAIR/REPLACE.
Compare 2005BMW330CI to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 BMW 330CI have?▼
The 2005 BMW 330CI has 38 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 BMW 330CI?▼
Yes, the 2005 BMW 330CI has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 330CI?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 BMW 330CI is AIR BAGS with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2005 BMW 330CI safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.