Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2005 BMW 330XI with NHTSA between 2005 and 2021.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 16
Against the median year of the BMW 330XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% 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 2005 BMW 330XI
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
646.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 103,500 mi
Other & Unspecified
17.7%
Median failure at 97,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
17.7%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Seat Belts
17.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.7%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Lights
17.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.7%
Electrical System
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
240.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
120.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
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 2005peak 2Sep 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2005 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...
EA09019Opened 18 Dec 2009Closed 28 Sep 2011EXTERIOR 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...
PE09036Opened 7 Aug 2009Closed 22 Dec 2009EXTERIOR 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...
DP09002Opened 8 Apr 2009Closed 6 Aug 2009EXTERIOR 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.
at 164,000 milesFort Morgan, COCrash2 injured
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11434546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kettle Falls, WA1 injured
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #10162018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 164,000 milesFort Morgan, COCrash2 injured
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11434546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Luttrell, TN
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL NOT REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #11045222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eliot, ME
AIR 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..
NHTSA complaint #10864915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Friendswood, TX
AIR 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?
NHTSA complaint #10854916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernal, UT
AIR 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
NHTSA complaint #10787816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesChicago, IL
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #10681617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesCenterville, IN
AIR 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. I ALSO AM CONCERNED THAT BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR YEARS AND DID NOT SEND ME RECALL NOTICE UNTIL A MONTH AGO. BUT THE LAST INSULT IS THAT I HAVE TO WAIT AN INDEFINITE TIME TO HAVE MY ONLY CAR REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10652927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSahuarita, AZ
LATCHES/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.
NHTSA complaint #10465774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leavenworth, KS
EXTERIOR 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.
NHTSA complaint #10439074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leavenworth, KS
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10439074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesGlen Allen, VA
VISIBILITY
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 THE MIRROR SURFACE ITSELF. THE RESULT OF THE "BUBBLE" IS THAT NOW THE MIRROR REFRACT AND REFLECTS BRIGHT LIGHT POINTS (HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT OR SUN GLARE FROM WINDSHIELDS FOR EXAMPLE) INTO MULTIPLE SPOTS SO AS TO MAKE THE MIRROR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I FEEL THAT BMW KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR MIRRORS AND THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S CAR NOW. I BELIEVE THAT IF JUST THE GLASS PORTION OF THE MIRROR WERE REPLACEABLE THIS WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE COST OF REPAIR TO THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10407687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kettle Falls, WA1 injured
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #10162018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schenectady, NY
VEHICLE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10128019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.