2004 BMW 330ci recalls and problems

The 2004 BMW 330ci has 2 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 20V-018, recall 15V-318 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
77
Crashes / fires
6 / 1
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 BMW 330ci vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 BMW 330ci recalls

Recall 20V-018: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 15V-318: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

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 Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

2004 BMW 330ci problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags31
Engine and Engine Cooling13
Power Train9
Electrical System8
Exterior Lighting8
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Structure2
Visibility2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Equipment1
Visibility/Wiper1
Service Brakes1

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 10
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 8
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 2
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 2
  • Structure › Body › Trunk Lid — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 1
  • Visibility › Windshield — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 52,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 BMW 330ci complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicle Speed Control · at 10,000 miles · reported Jun 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to the reverse position, the engine began to rev very high, and the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove reverse into the side of the home. During the incident the vehicle the destroyed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic but the cause of the failure was not determined and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was…
Air Bags · reported Mar 2, 2024
While backing out of a short driveway and placed t to drive, the vehicle revved and started speeding out of control with brakes applied. The vehicle sideswiped a neighbors vehicle before crashing head on into a tree causing it to stop. I had jerked up the emergency brake and ripped the key out of the ignition. The replaced airbags did not deploy.
Exterior Lighting · at 215,000 miles · reported Feb 17, 2019
The adaptive bixenon headlights use biodegradable wiring. This wiring cannot withstand the headlights adaptive headlight movement. These wires can tear or worse the insulation can crumble off. This leads to a huge fire risk. Furthermore, bmw does not have any form of fixing the problem. They only sell new headlight units that have the same issue. To be clear, no incident occurred to cause this issue other than standard use of the car. It is a ticking time bomb on all cars using this wiring, which also includes the e60 m5 platform. The result is headlights that can turn off at any time or worse…
Electrical System · at 135,000 miles · reported Oct 7, 2018
The adaptive headlights are flickering (Stationary or in motion). This points to a faulty wiring issue, according to many other owners reporting this on internet forums for this vehicle.
Air Bags · at 199,227 miles · reported Dec 27, 2017
"takata recall" I've received confirmation my vehicle is one of the vehicle apart of the takata recall. I'm a single father of a 13 yr old son. Knowing the danger my son has been in all of this time has shaken my core comfort zone to dust. I'm now in the process to correct this bad airbag currently in my vehicle. My son's future has been placed in rusk and that will not be left unchecked by means available. I was hit with my son in the car and the bad airbag didn't deploy, thank god!

Other BMW 330ci years

Compare all BMW 330ci years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 BMW 330ci have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2004 BMW 330ci: 20V-018 (air bags), 15V-318 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW 330ci?

Owners report air bags problems most often (31 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (13). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 52,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.