BMW 330XI · model year

2005 BMW 330XI

13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005BMW330XI carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 3 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 330XI is air bags with 6 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (1) and seat belts (1). 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 4 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 330XI. 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.

13
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SEAT BELTS1
VISIBILITY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (4)

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,

11V43800026/08/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 VEHICL

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

14V42800011/06/2018

AIR BAGS

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; 2001-200

Recent Complaints

20210927CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2005 BMW 330XI. The contact received a recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 ( air bags) which they took the vehicle to a local dealer who performed the recall repair on the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the contact was making a U-turn when another driver t- bone and crashed into the rear passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. There was no medical treatment at the scene however the next day the contact and her grandson went to the hospital. The contact sustained an injury to their back while her grandson injured his neck and back. A police report was filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to a towed yard where it was later deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

Mileage: 164,000

20171110AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL NOT REPLACED

20160512AIR BAGS

LETTER FROM SENATOR KING JR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING THE RECALL OF AIRBAGS IN HIS 2005 BMW 330XI (ATTN: KATIE FELLOWS). *SMD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED, UNTIL THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE.. *JB

20160411AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. WE HAVE RECEIVED 2 NOTICES OF DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS SEPTEMBER 2014 AND MAY 2015. WE HAD THE PASSENGER REPLACED BUT HAVE WAITED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BUY ONE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR THAT IF WE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DON'T DRIVE IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD WE CAN HAVE IT DISCONNECTED. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED AND MY WIFE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE HER CAR SAFELY. RIGHT NOW HER LIFE IS IN DANGER EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES HER CAR. CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE?

20151102AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAG) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ *TR

20150205UNKNOWN OR OTHER

BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR WENT OUT. HAVE DONE AMPLE RESEARCH, AND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE OF THE ABOVE VEHICLE. FAULTY EQUIPMENT IN SUCH HIGH NUMBERS WARRANTS EXPLANATION/REMEDIES IN MY OPINION. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20141105AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY ONLY CAR IS DEFECTIVE. I CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN GREENWOOD INDIANA TO SCHEDULE THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART. I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST SINCE THIS PART IS "BACK ORDERED". THEY PROMISED TO CALL ME AS SOON AS THE PART WAS AVAILABLE BUT COULD NOT STATE WHEN THAT CALL WOULD OCCUR. I TOLD THE GENTLEMAN THAT I MUST DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE EVERY WEEK FOR BUSINESS WITH MY STANDARD POODLE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. MY DOG PROVIDES SECURITY ON THESE LONG DRIVES. THE SALESMAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY ONLY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. I FURTHER INFORM HIM THAT THE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF HUNTING SEASON AND THE HIGHWAY I DRIVE ON HAS FREQUENT ACCIDENTS WITH DEER RUNNING OUT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. HE ONCE AGAIN STATED THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS. THE IDEA OF THIS AIR BAG RUPTURING WHILE I AM DRIVING OR IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL SAFE.

Mileage: 43,000

20120716LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS WOULD LOCK BUT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE MORE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20111208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN AUGUST 2011 I GOT A WARNING INDICATOR THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT TAILLIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2011 (IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND OTHER WORK) BMW MECHANICS AT MY AREA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY TAILLIGHT SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 2003-2005 3 SERIES TAILLIGHTS THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. BMW TOLD ME MY VIN "DID NOT APPEAR" TO BE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL LIST AND THAT DESPITE THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO TELL BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST SO THAT MY DEALERSHIP WILL FIX IT. PLEASE DO SO. *TR

20111208EXTERIOR LIGHTING

IN AUGUST 2011 I GOT A WARNING INDICATOR THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT TAILLIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2011 (IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND OTHER WORK) BMW MECHANICS AT MY AREA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY TAILLIGHT SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 2003-2005 3 SERIES TAILLIGHTS THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. BMW TOLD ME MY VIN "DID NOT APPEAR" TO BE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL LIST AND THAT DESPITE THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO TELL BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST SO THAT MY DEALERSHIP WILL FIX IT. PLEASE DO SO. *TR

20110621VISIBILITY

ON THIS DATE MY WIFE COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT A "BUBBLE" IN HER INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I LOOKED AT IT AND IT IS INDEED A BUBBLE OF AIR IN HER MIRROR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 BMW 330XI WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. TODAY I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-831-1117 AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE BMW FELT NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR, REPLACE, OR HELP IN ANY WAY WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PART COST FROM MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IS OVER $500.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. THIS COST IS FOR THE ENTIRE MIRROR ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE HOUSING THE ELECTRONICS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND OF COURSE THE MIRROR ITSELF. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN MORE THAN A FEW MIRRORS COME IN LIKE THAT, AND THAT ONE WAS EVEN LEAKING THE FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SEAL IN THE MIRROR THAT HAS RUPTURED AND IS NOW LEAKING AIR INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE GLASS PLATE AND

Mileage: 35,000

20060710SEAT BELTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEATBELT LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO SENT OUT A TECHNICIAN TO OBSERVED THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED PROBLMS WITH THE LATCH AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO DEALERS WITH A SERVICE WAIVER SIGNED OFF FOR REPAIRS TO THE VEHCILE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER, A COLLISION WITH A DEER WAS AVOIDED BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S NECK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS THEY DETERMINED THAT A PIECE OF PLASTIC WAS LODGED IN THE SEATBELT CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO NOT BE ABLE TO LATCH. THE DEALER OFFERED TO SEND THE VEHICLE INTO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TRADED THE VEHICLE INSTEAD.

20050707VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SELF ACCELERATION INVOLVING THE 2005 BMW 330 XI.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THEN TURNED BACK ON IT PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

Compare 2005BMW330XI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 BMW 330XI have?
The 2005 BMW 330XI has 13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 BMW 330XI?
Yes, the 2005 BMW 330XI has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 330XI?
The most-complained component for the 2005 BMW 330XI is AIR BAGS with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and SEAT BELTS.
Is the 2005 BMW 330XI 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.