FaultScore

FaultScore report

2003 BMW 330XI problems

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2003 BMW 330XI with NHTSA between 2004 and 2025. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 worst.

C

FaultScore 41/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 330XI.

How this is worked out

The numbers

42

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

109,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

13%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 51 vs 50 Severity 37 vs 50 Early failure 22 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 51
Against the median year of the BMW 330XI. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 22
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other BMW 330XI

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 BMW 330XI

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 13 31.0%

Median failure at 50,500 miles

Electrical System 8 19.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 110,000 mi

Tires 4 9.5%

Median failure at 17,915 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 7.1%
Lights 3 7.1%

Median failure at 158,300 miles

Engine & Cooling 3 7.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 92,548 mi

Body & Structure 2 4.8%

Median failure at 142,500 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 2.4%
Seats 1 2.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.4%

Median failure at 165,000 miles

Brakes 1 2.4%

Median failure at 165,000 miles

Steering 1 2.4%

Median failure at 126,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 2.4%

Median failure at 165,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 4.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 4.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 8.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 17.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 8.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 5 21.7%
150,000+ miles 8 34.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jul 2004 peak 3 Apr 2025

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 BMW 330XI

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA09019 Opened 18 Dec 2009 Closed 28 Sep 2011 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Rear Lamp Illumination

In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in th...

PE09036 Opened 7 Aug 2009 Closed 22 Dec 2009 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEIR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATING.THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF A TURN SIGNAL LAMP, A TAIL LAMP AND A BRAKE LAMP.THE COMPLAINANTS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING.THESE COMPONENTS ARE ALLEGEDLY OVERHEATING AND MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT RUNS THROUGH THE SYSTEM.BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) SIB-630306 ON FEBRUARY 2007 TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION BY ADDING SUPPLEMENTARY GROUND WIRING TO THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY.ODI IS UPGRADING T...

DP09002 Opened 8 Apr 2009 Closed 6 Aug 2009 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

IN MARCH 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. MARK PETERS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF REAR LAMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES.AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER WAS SENT TO BMW IN APRIL 2009, AND ODI RECEIVED BMW'S RESPONSE IN JUNE 2009.THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CONTAINS LIGHTING FOR THE BRAKE LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, AND TURN SIGNALS.A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) WAS ISSUED BY BMW IN JANUARY OF 2007 INSTRUCTING SERVICE TECHNICIANS TO EXAMINE AN 8 PIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR HEAT-RELATED DAMAGE AND TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRI...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Channelview, TX 1 injured

AIR BAGS

While I was driving the air bags went off.

NHTSA complaint #11656332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Paterson, NJ Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BMW 330XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S JOB, THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE, BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE REPAIR CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, BUT NOT TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, THEY COULD DISCLOSE SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA complaint #11104782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Union Town, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330 XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS ON FILE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10465090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Channelview, TX 1 injured

AIR BAGS

While I was driving the air bags went off.

NHTSA complaint #11656332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Emerald Isle, NC

TIRES

Continental Sport Plus 215/50 ZR17 Replaced Michelin tires with four of this size/brand. Highly unstable at highway speeds. Even more unstable under wet roadway conditions.

NHTSA complaint #11478511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Slidell, LA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Coolant leak from exhaust manifold Reservoir fails All coolant hoses fail

NHTSA complaint #11449466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Slidell, LA

ENGINE

Coolant leak from exhaust manifold Reservoir fails All coolant hoses fail

NHTSA complaint #11449466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morrisville, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Power windows Power windows broke on 3 windows. Sometimes the glass has shattered. Sometimes the glass just slides down and becomes non operational. Glass shattering has been scary and dangerous. This has occurred while driving. I live in a state with lots of weather. Thunderstorms. Has occurred with child in car seat during a thunderstorm. At highway speed. I have had them repaired at dealerships and at independent bmw repair shops. Cost has been approx $600. This began as early as 2010 and continues to this day.

NHTSA complaint #11440350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morrisville, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Power windows Power windows broke on 3 windows. Sometimes the glass has shattered. Sometimes the glass just slides down and becomes non operational. Glass shattering has been scary and dangerous. This has occurred while driving. I live in a state with lots of weather. Thunderstorms. Has occurred with child in car seat during a thunderstorm. At highway speed. I have had them repaired at dealerships and at independent bmw repair shops. Cost has been approx $600. This began as early as 2010 and continues to this day.

NHTSA complaint #11440350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,300 miles Corcoran, MN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

330I SEDAN - ZKW HID HEADLIGHTS WITH BURNT XENON BULB REFLECTORS RENDERING THE HEADLIGHTS INEFFECTIVE AND THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11412892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Cordova, TN

POWER TRAIN

ON OR AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF DEC. 2020 AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR DASH WARNING INDICATORS. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR ON THE FIRST TRY. AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BAD GAS. FAST FORWARD TO JAN. 09, 2021 WHILE PULLING UP TO GAS STATION CAR ACCELERATES WHILE I AM APPLYING BRAKES. VERY SCARY BECAUSE I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT REVVED UP AS THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS, ALTHOUGH. INTERMITTENTLY. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN SEVERAL BMW FORUMS SINCE 2002 AND APPEARS TO HAPPEN IN OLDER AND NEWER CARS REGARDLESS OF MODEL TYPES. I HAVE MAYBE 165,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE MAINTENANCE IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND CONSISTENT.

NHTSA complaint #11387793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Cordova, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON OR AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF DEC. 2020 AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR DASH WARNING INDICATORS. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR ON THE FIRST TRY. AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BAD GAS. FAST FORWARD TO JAN. 09, 2021 WHILE PULLING UP TO GAS STATION CAR ACCELERATES WHILE I AM APPLYING BRAKES. VERY SCARY BECAUSE I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT REVVED UP AS THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS, ALTHOUGH. INTERMITTENTLY. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN SEVERAL BMW FORUMS SINCE 2002 AND APPEARS TO HAPPEN IN OLDER AND NEWER CARS REGARDLESS OF MODEL TYPES. I HAVE MAYBE 165,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE MAINTENANCE IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND CONSISTENT.

NHTSA complaint #11387793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Cordova, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

ON OR AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF DEC. 2020 AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR DASH WARNING INDICATORS. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR ON THE FIRST TRY. AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BAD GAS. FAST FORWARD TO JAN. 09, 2021 WHILE PULLING UP TO GAS STATION CAR ACCELERATES WHILE I AM APPLYING BRAKES. VERY SCARY BECAUSE I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT REVVED UP AS THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS, ALTHOUGH. INTERMITTENTLY. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN SEVERAL BMW FORUMS SINCE 2002 AND APPEARS TO HAPPEN IN OLDER AND NEWER CARS REGARDLESS OF MODEL TYPES. I HAVE MAYBE 165,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE MAINTENANCE IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND CONSISTENT.

NHTSA complaint #11387793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Gladewater, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

POWER TO CAR WAS CUT. COULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS OR PULL DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR/UNLOCK. STUCK INSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11321870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Duluth, GA

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND DURING THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED HALF WAY DURING A FULL ROTATION AND LOCKED UP PREVENTING ME FROM MAKING A FULL RIGHT HAND TURN. ONCE PARKED I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND IT STOPPED HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11320188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Morrisvill, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

WINDOW BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS BEING LOWERED. HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A CRACKING SOUND. WINDOW STAYED IN THE DOWN POSITION AND COULD NOT BE RAISED. SMALL CHILD WAS SEATED IN HIS CAR SEAT NEXT TO WINDOW. WE WERE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. (HWY 540). A THUNDERSTORM BEGAN, NO SAFE WAY TO PULL OVER FOR ABOUT A MILE OR TWO. 4 YR OLD CHILD WAS SCARED, WET AND HOT (NORTH CAROLINA-SUMMER). CHILD WAS NOT HARMED, JUST VERY SCARED. SEMI TRAILER TRUCKS HAULING BY. VERY BUSY TIME OF DAY. CHILD WAS MY NEIGHBORS SON, I WAS HELPING PICK HIM UP FROM DAYCARE BECAUSE HER OTHER CHILD WAS SICK I BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION AS THIS IS THE 5TH WINDOW ON THIS VEHICLE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN JARRING TO SAY THE LEAST TO HEAR GLASS CRACKING AS YOU LOWER THE WINDOW. I'VE HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS, THRIVED. EACH TIME THE COST TO REPAIR A WINDOW HAS BEEN AROUND $600. I GO TO VERY REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOPS HERE AND IN CALIFORNIA. THINGS HAVE BEEN SUCKED OUT OF THE WINDOW DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE WIND. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. ONE INCIDENT WAS ENOUGH, BUT 5!!! I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS AND THE WINDOWS DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM. IT SCARY AND A MAJOR DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. UNBELIEVABLE. BMW HAS A BIG PROBLEM. MY FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN 2010 AND THEY HAVE CONTINUED THOUGH 1218. CURRENTLY THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS ALSO MAKE A GLASS SCRAPING SOUND, SO WE JUST LEASE IT UP. THAT WINDOW HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 2010.. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET, I DON'T HAVE ANY PHOTOS TO PROVIDE SINCE I WAS ALWAYS IN SUCH A HURRY TO GET THEM FIXED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. PLEASE HELP THIS A BIG PROBLEM FOR US BMW DRIVERS.(I'M GLAD THE TODDLER IN MY CAR WAS UNHARMED, NO BROKEN GLASS GOT ON HIM. MY 1999 FORD EXPEDITION WINDOWS HAVE NO PROBLEMS, EVEN WITH MY 3 BOYS USING THEM.

NHTSA complaint #11268417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 164,300 miles Newport News, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AND NOW THE CAR STAYS ON WHEN THE KEY OUT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE RECALL WAS FIXED BEFORE ABOUT THE LIGHTS BUT THEY STARTED BACK AGAIN I JUST GOT THE CAR AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT WITHOUT THE BATTERY DYING IF I GO TO WORK OR EVEN THE STORE

NHTSA complaint #11184018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 164,300 miles Newport News, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AND NOW THE CAR STAYS ON WHEN THE KEY OUT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE RECALL WAS FIXED BEFORE ABOUT THE LIGHTS BUT THEY STARTED BACK AGAIN I JUST GOT THE CAR AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT WITHOUT THE BATTERY DYING IF I GO TO WORK OR EVEN THE STORE

NHTSA complaint #11184018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Paterson, NJ Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BMW 330XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S JOB, THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE, BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE REPAIR CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, BUT NOT TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, THEY COULD DISCLOSE SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA complaint #11104782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Questa, NM

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED ON 11/23/16. THE AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON AND WAS NEVER RESET BY THE DEALER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE. TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT IS UNRESOLVED, STILL ON

NHTSA complaint #11054518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Questa, NM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED ON 11/23/16. THE AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON AND WAS NEVER RESET BY THE DEALER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE. TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT IS UNRESOLVED, STILL ON

NHTSA complaint #11054518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Questa, NM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED ON 11/23/16. THE AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON AND WAS NEVER RESET BY THE DEALER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE. TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT IS UNRESOLVED, STILL ON

NHTSA complaint #11054518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 153,000 miles Dallas, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I'VE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS NOW BUT NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES AS CAN BE FOUND WHEN DOING SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET. THIS PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOOR NOT UNLOCKING AFTER BEING LOCKED VIA THE CENTER CONSOLE, KEY FOB, OR AUTO LOCK FEATURE WHEN VEHICLE IS MOBILE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS MULTIPLE BUILD TYPES DURING THE EARLY 2000'S. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE WHEN OCCUPANTS CANNOT SAFELY AND QUICKLY EXIT THE CAR WITHOUT HAVING THE BREAK THE WINDOW AND CLIMB OUT BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT EVEN UNLOCK WHEN YOU PULL THE LATCH WHICH SHOULD DISENGAGE THE "LOCKED" STATE. I HAD GO TEND TO A PATIENT AT THE HOSPITAL TODAY FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY AND COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR WITHOUT HAVING TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW, THEN USE MY KEY TO UNLOCK MY DOOR FROM THE LOCK CYLINDER ON THE OUTSIDE. HOWEVER I WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANYTHING ELSE FROM MY CAR AND HAD TO DO SO FROM THE DRIVER DOOR ONLY. THIS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING IN THE WRONG SITUATIONS. THIS INVOLVES THE GENERAL MODULE 5 OR "GM5" AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A POTENTIAL SAFETY RECALL AS IT IS INTERMITTENT.

NHTSA complaint #10911077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pflugerville, TX

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10860537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hartford, CT

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS, SINCE THE RECALL WAS FIRST INITIATED AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. UPDATED 06/16/16.

NHTSA complaint #10854297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, NY

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V3180000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/20/16

NHTSA complaint #10836838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albuquerque, NM

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10788390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Denver, CO

AIR BAGS

FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN EARLY 2003, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ON INDEFINITELY. THE BMW DEALER TURNED THE ALERT LIGHT OFF SEVERAL TIMES, AND DID NOT FIX THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT IT WAS ONLY THE SENSOR AND THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO MURRAY BMW IN DENVER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND THE DEALERSHIP MERELY TURNED THE ALERT LIGHT OFF INDICATING THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, AND NOT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE REPAIR WAS NEVER MADE. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE SENSOR. WHEN THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL REMAINED ON, AND THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE WHEN PURCHASING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE!

NHTSA complaint #10717650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.