KnownCarProblems2002 BMW 330ci Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 330ci, most often about the air bags (59% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 330ci model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2002 BMW 330ci problems
Air bags
27 complaints · 59%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
The contact owns 2002 BMW 330ci. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side air bag and the roof air bag deployed erroneously and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated there was some type of impact made with the undercarriage of the vehicle, which triggered…
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 330ci. While driving at 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the…
Electrical
5 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: wiring.
After driving my 2002 BMW x 5 five blocks from my home, I smelled something burning and parked the car. From the time it took me to get out and walk to the rear of the car, it was filled with black smoke and in short order the car burned. My insurance company declared it a total loss and hired an independent…
Dash indicated taillight was out when it wasn't, this was random on and off for a few months. After a few months the dash panel indicator light stayed on. As I was driving one day I noticed the smell of smoke coming from the trunk. I stopped, and noticed the melted wires from the tail light harness. As I looked at…
Lights
4 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: tail lights, back up lights.
Tl contact owns a 2002 BMW 330ci. The contact noticed that the warning light illuminated, which indicated that a tail light was not working. He replaced the bulbs, however, the warning light remained illuminated. The contact also noticed that the wiring harness plug was melted. The dealer has not inspected the…
I found that my reverse light was out late in july and took it to the nearest BMW dealership for repair. I've since found out that this is a common defect in the e46 model and I am wondering if there is some kind of recall or compensation for the inadequacy of the rear lights in this model.
Transmission
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission.
While driving about 30 MPH, car stopped and would not restart, towed to shop, was told I changed from low RPM to high RPM causing valve to bend. I was not driving fast and there was no reason to change from low RPM to high RPM they would not warranty a new engine/valve/head job. I had to pay from pocket.
About three months ago, I had my 2002 BMW 330ci serviced at beverly hills BMW. During that $700+ service, they performed an inspection that was supposed to cover every major part of the vehicle, including the transmission. Yesterday, I had a complete transmission failure. When I asked BMW why they didn\'t notice…
Seats
3 complaints · 7%Tl contact owns 2002 BMW 330ci. The drivers seat was an electric sport seat and no longer goes moved forward and backwards. The contact stated that the seat would recline, but he could not adjust it for the proper leg room. The vehicle had not been inspected when the complaint was filed. The failure and current…
The driver's side seat, an electric sport seat upgrade, will no longer move forward or reverse. The seat will still recline but cannot be adjusted for proper leg room. The mileage was 99,500.
Engine
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: engine.
2002 BMW 330cic. Consumer states vehicle gears do not always shift down when needing to stop, often causing the vehicle to lurch forward and continue at the same speed. The dealer determined the problem was a defective vanos unit which controlled the camshaft and is part of the engine.
Car was driven daily. Parked in garage at 6:30pm. At 7:20am the following day it was noticed that a white vapor/smoke was coming from the front grill of the BMW 330ci. The car had not been started since being parked the evening before. Within minutes, the white vapor turned into heavy black smoke and the entire engine…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 BMW 330ci recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began february 13, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
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 pspi passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began aug 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: on december 17, 2015 bmw removed the model year 2004 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activit
Full defect summary
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, and 2003 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Bmw intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in june 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for july, bmw will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325ci and 330ci coupes and convertibles; 325it and 325xit sports wagons; and m3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
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 wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and a
Questions about the 2002 BMW 330ci
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 330ci?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (27 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); electrical (5 complaints); lights (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 330ci have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the BMW 330ci?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 330ci model year since 2000, with 46 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.