2003 BMW 330XI: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 BMW 330XI: 5 recalls, 33 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights, Exterior lights Vehicle recall #11V438000 · 2011 · 241,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 stop working.
Why it matters: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on February 15, 2012.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V172000 · 2013 · 43,204 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V318000 · 2015 · 419,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #14V428000 · 2018 · 574,007 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V018000 · 2020 · 292,948 vehicles
What's wrong: These inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (13): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are door / lock issues (3), fire / smoke (3), electrical failure (2).
- Tires (4): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (4).
- Exterior lights (3): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
The 2003 BMW 330XI has 33 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 13 330XI model years for complaints (2.2× the average 330XI year). Complaints peaked in 2012 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 12 years old, at a median of 106,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (20 complaints, 5 recalls), 2004 (13 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 BMW 330XI.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 BMW 330XI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2003 BMW 330XI. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 BMW 330XI problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (13), electrical (8), tires (4).
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 330XI get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 BMW 330XI repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.