How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 330xi have?

The 2002 BMW 330xi has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2002 BMW 330xi has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2002 BMW 330xi?

Of 20 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2002 BMW 330xi Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 BMW 330xi has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,570,394 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 6, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

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.

AIR BAGS 14V428000 2018-06-11 574,007 affected

Defect

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; 2001-2006 330i sedans,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available,…

AIR BAGS 15V318000 2015-05-28 419,235 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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…

AIR BAGS 13V172000 2013-05-02 43,204 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11V438000 2011-08-26 241,000 affected

Defect

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 VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO…

Consequence

INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE

TIRES

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SEATS

SUSPENSION:REAR

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Total complaints20

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“After reading many forum questions and answers my vehicle problem is the gm5 module. This module controls a wide selection of electrical function on this car. The function that is at issue is the central locking/unlocking function initiated by the key, key fob or locking control button on the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-08-24

“Keeps leaking engine oil even after multiple changes. (city street, chicago illinois) stationary most of the time. Hasn't been moved since leaking oil. (too worried)”

ENGINE · reported 2020-02-14

“The smell of electircal fire and thick black smoke poored out the left side of my stearing colum. Flames started to shoot out and enguffed my bmw to nothing!”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-12-28

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 330xi. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 13v172000 (air bags) and 15v318000 (air bags). 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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-02-21

“Contiprocontact 205/50 r17 93v / a37p 3pl 3510 has a sidewall bulge. Its mileage is 5,894. It was purchased to replace the same model tire because of a sidewall bulge. That tire had similar mileage. All tires were purchased from sts/mavis tire.”

TIRES · reported 2016-12-30

“Takato recall - I received recall notice in july 2015 and even with repeated calls to bmw dealer, no repair has been done. I refrain from driving the car and have less than 400 miles in the last year, but still have to pay for insurance, inspection, license. I have been postponing repairs, but I…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-09-02

“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-07-27

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 330xi. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags). 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 made…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-10-02