Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2004 BMW 330XI with NHTSA between 2012 and 2021.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the BMW 330XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 74
14.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 BMW 330XI
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
857.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 230,500 mi
Lights
321.4%
Median failure at 84,750 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Electrical System
17.1%
Median failure at 102,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
Median failure at 41,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
233.3%
150,000+ miles
233.3%
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.
Jun 2012peak 2Aug 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 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.
1
investigation is
still open.
EA15001Opened 24 Feb 2015Still openAIR BAGS
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
PE14016Opened 11 Jun 2014Closed 2 Mar 2015AIR BAGS
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 196,000 milesCharlotte, NCCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 330XI. WHILE AT DRIVING AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO VEER TO THE LEFT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, HEAD, AND BACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY, HEAD, BACK, NECK, SHOULDERS, AND BOTH HIPS. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK, AND LEFT HAND. ALL THREE PASSENGERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE RECALL WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
NHTSA complaint #10725927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 265,000 milesOmaha, NE
AIR BAGS
i was driving about 35mph and hit a pot hole in the road. that caused my passenger front, passenger side door, and passenger aide door top to deploy.
NHTSA complaint #11427969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
POWER TRAIN
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TAKES A LONG TIME TO ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT ONCE IT GETS GOING, IT SHIFTS SMOOTHLY. I SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN AND THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #11394822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUBFRAME
NHTSA complaint #11143904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG TROUBLE COD LIGHT ON THE DASH DRIVING CAR ON STREET AND HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint #11064767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsville, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO 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.
NHTSA complaint #10895996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HOT Springs Village, AR
AIR BAGS
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NEARLY ONE YEAR FOR THE RECALLED DRIVER'S AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE NEWS HAS REPORTED THAT 70% OF OTHER MANUFACTURER'S VEHICLES WITH THE SAME RECALL HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. HOW MUCH LONGER AM I REQUIRED TO WAIT?
NHTSA complaint #10895771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10851893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (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.
NHTSA complaint #10822739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (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.
NHTSA complaint #10822739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,000 milesCharlotte, NCCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 330XI. WHILE AT DRIVING AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO VEER TO THE LEFT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, HEAD, AND BACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY, HEAD, BACK, NECK, SHOULDERS, AND BOTH HIPS. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK, AND LEFT HAND. ALL THREE PASSENGERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE RECALL WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
NHTSA complaint #10725927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mattapan, MA
AIR BAGS
2004 BMW 330XI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL LETTER SHE RECEIVED STATED THE WORK WOULD BE PERFORMED FOR FREE. HOWEVER, SHE WAS CHARGED $99.50 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #10689352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,500 milesMcclean, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, TAIL AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ACTIVATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTS) AND CALLED A DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,500.
NHTSA complaint #10516027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesBoulder, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED ERRONEOUSLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REFLECTORS HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10510536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesEndicott, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SECURITY LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO EXIT. IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY (E.G. CAR DROVE INTO DEEP WATER) THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY TO EXIT THE CAR. SEEM LIKE A SERIOUS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10461155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.