RoadVitals

2005 BMW 330I Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Nov 20, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 330I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags513.2%
  • Electrical37.9%
  • Suspension37.9%
  • Steering37.9%
  • Brakes25.3%
  • Seat belts25.3%
  • Visibility12.6%
  • Engine12.6%
  • Powertrain (other)12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE OEM FACTORY ZKW HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS CHEAPLY MADE AND IS KNOWN TO BURN OUT. THE CHEAP PLASTIC USED CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE BULB AND THE METALLIC REFLECTOR FILM EVENTUALLY STARTS TO GO BAD CAUSING VERY POOR HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CONCERN. BMW NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND SHOULD FIND A REPLACEMENT OPTION WITHOUT USING THE POORLY MADE OEM ZKW REFLECTOR BOWL.

NHTSA ID 11281259 · filed Nov 20, 2019

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE LIGHT INTENSITY HAS STEADILY DECLINED IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS OF MY CAR, TO THE POINT WHERE THEY NO LONGER FUNCTION. MY MECHANIC HAS LOOKED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOUND THAT THE PROJECTOR BOWL REFLECTOR HAS PREMATURELY WORN OUT -- IT HAS LOST ITS REFLECTIVE ABILITY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AND BASED ON MULTIPLE REPORTS IN ONLINE GROUP DISCUSSIONS, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS. THIS DEFECT IN THE HEADLIGHTS COMPROMISES SAFE OPERABILITY AND INCREASES THE RISK OF A NIGHT-TIME ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PART OF THE HEADLIGHT THAT SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT OR NEED REPLACEMENT UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE RESORTED TO USING MY FOG LIGHTS OR HIGH BEAMS FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT. BMW AND ZKW ARE DEFLECTING THE ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING A POTENTIAL WIDESPREAD DEFECT IN THESE XENON ZKW HEADLIGHTS. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11176532 · filed Feb 12, 2019
All 17 reports naming exterior lighting

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

"TAKATA RECALL"- WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2016 ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND OUR CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SAYS " YOUR VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL" AND " WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL". PRIOR TO THE LETTER ( AUGUST 26, 2016), THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAD CHANGED OIL AT PACIFIC BMW AND CHECKED THE AIRBAG AND NOTED " RECALL: PERFORMS RECALLS/ REPLACE DRIVER'S AIRBAG/ PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME/ UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL". THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS MATTER, WE CONTACTED ON THE FOLLOWING MONTH BUT THEY SAID " THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE PARTS" AND THEY WOULD CALL US ONCE IT'S AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS NOW AND WE HAVEN'T RECEIVE ANY CALL OR ADVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ( PACIFIC BMW ) ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAID AIRBAG RECALL AND WHEN TO REPLACE IT. OUR CAR JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE OR WE BARELY USE IT BECAUSE OF THIS AIRBAG RECALL AND AFRAID TO PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX] TEL NO [XXX] EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10949315 · filed Feb 3, 2017

CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR AIRBAGS THEY JUST BLOW ME OFF. I HAVE 2 KIDS 9 AND 12 WHO RUDE W ME AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE WILL GIVE ME RENTAL!

NHTSA ID 10898320 · filed Aug 24, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT TELLING ME A BULB WAS OUT AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ALL THE BULBS WERE WORKING. I HAVE REPLACE THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE PRONG WHERE STARTING TO MELT. SO I CALL BMWNA AND THEY TOO IGNORED MY FIRST REQUEST FOR THE RECALL ON THE 2005 BMW REAR TAIL LIGHT HAZARD, I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL TIME FRAME BUT IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE OTHERS ONES HAVE HAD AND WISH TO GET THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FIXED BECAUSE IF THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL READ ONE THING BUT THE TAIL LIGHT IS SHOWING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THOSE TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I HAVE ENCLOSED THE TWO PHOTOS OF THE BURNT CASING AND HARNESS. I FEEL THIS HAZARD IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN GREAT DANGER BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DEFINITE SIGN WHEN OR WHERE THESE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION THE BLINKER, BRAKE, ETC .

NHTSA ID 10966610 · filed Mar 17, 2017

DASH MOUNTED WARNING LIGHT INDICATED TAIL LIGHT ISSUES. CHECKED THE LIGHT AND ALL THE BULBS WERE FINE BUT THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THE THE BROWN WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED THROUGH THE CASE AND WAS TOUCHING OTHER WIRES IN THE CONNECTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT OUT THE ENTIRE LIGHT. THE BROWN WIRE HAS VISIBLE SIGNS OF MELTING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TYPE BMW AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. RIGHT NOW MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NOTICE BUT I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. *KB

NHTSA ID 10437829 · filed Nov 30, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLIGHTS - THE BACK OF THE PROJECTOR BOWL IS MADE OF PLASTIC (VS. METAL IN THE AL/BOSCH BRAND, ALSO USED BY BMW), WHICH OVER TIME BURNS FROM THE HEAT PUT OUT BY THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN TURNS THE PLASTIC FROM WHITE TO BROWN/ORANGE, WHICH SEVERELY REDUCES LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. THE HEADLIGHT FROM MY CAR IS SO POOR THAT AT NIGHT I CAN SEE THE SHADOW OF MY CAR PRODUCED FROM CARS BEHIND ME. SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED DUE TO POOR LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10490437 · filed Dec 29, 2012

CAR PULLS SEVERELY WHEN BRAKING AND MILDLY TO MODERATELY WHEN DRIVING. HAVE ASKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT TOLD THAT CAR IS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10332325 · filed May 26, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR PULLS SEVERELY WHEN BRAKING AND MILDLY TO MODERATELY WHEN DRIVING. HAVE ASKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT TOLD THAT CAR IS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10332325 · filed May 26, 2010

CAR PULLS SEVERELY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND ASKED FOR AN ALIGNMENT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT NO ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED BUT NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE CAR PULLED WAS GIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10290053 · filed Oct 27, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR PULLS SEVERELY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND ASKED FOR AN ALIGNMENT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT NO ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED BUT NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE CAR PULLED WAS GIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10290053 · filed Oct 27, 2009

RE DEFECTIVE BRAKING/STEERING IN A 2005 BMW, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT UPON STOPPING. IN ONE CASE, THE VEHICLE PULLED SO SEVERELY THAT IT CAME TO A REST AT AN ANGLE ON THE ROAD. THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE STRAIGHTENED UNTIL THE BRAKE HAD BEEN RELEASED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10108711 · filed Jan 24, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SEAT BELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY. IT STILL ENAGES IN LOCKED MODE BUT IT IS VERY LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY PULLED ONTO MY CHEST TO FEEL SNUG AND SECURED.

NHTSA ID 10936122 · filed Dec 19, 2016

I HAVE A 2005 330I BMW AND THE SEATBELT/AIRBAG SENSOR HAVE BEEN LIGHTING UP. I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS AN INTERNAL ERROR IN THE SEATBELT SENSOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AS STATED BY BMW AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE MODEL PRODUCTION # IS KM42802.*TR

NHTSA ID 10247211 · filed Oct 30, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDOW MOTOR BURNS OUT. HAVE HAD TWO REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10418584 · filed Aug 11, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AT ANY OTHER SPEED AND IS MORE PRONOUNCE GOING UPHILL THAN DOWN. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2013) FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REOCCURING ISSUE. REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS CAR MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CITY DRIVING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS AND STARTS.

NHTSA ID 10734098 · filed Jul 14, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AT ANY OTHER SPEED AND IS MORE PRONOUNCE GOING UPHILL THAN DOWN. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2013) FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REOCCURING ISSUE. REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS CAR MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CITY DRIVING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS AND STARTS.

NHTSA ID 10734098 · filed Jul 14, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .