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BMW 330CIModel year report

2002 BMW 330CI Problems

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
88,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls
33 do-not-drive
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW 330CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 330CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 27 complaints (59% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and exterior lighting (4). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “The incident occurred just after merging onto the inner-loop 495 north-bound from west-bound highway 50, between highway 50 and 66, in fairfax, virginia. During the merge, I accelerated my vehicle to equal to the speed of traffic while maintaining my position in the on/off-lane used for the 50/60 merger. Because I was continuing north-bound on 495 towards tyson's corner, I started procedures to exit the 66 on-lane and merge into north-bound 495 traffic. These procedures included checking both my side and rear-view mirrors as well as my blind spots. …”

NHTSA complaint #10319429, filed 2010-03, 99,477 miles

Electrical system: “This car is 2002 Bmw 330CI. I noticed that the warning light illuminated, which indicated that a tail light or brake light was not working. I replaced the bulbs, however, the warning light remained illuminated. I also noticed that the wiring harness plug had some damage in the middle and lighting assembly on the right had a connector in the middle gone. My mechanic stated that there was a recall on this problem. I contacted the recall center who stated my car was not covered. I noticed a lot of the Bmw models were covered including 330i and the 330xi. …”

NHTSA complaint #10468332, filed 2012-07, 115,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10466509, filed 2012-07, 77,902 miles

Seats: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10465958, filed 2012-07, 99,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 108,000 miles.

4%0–100%10–254%25–5030%50–7530%75–10026%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 88,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2006201020141020161020182024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 BMW 330CI. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
3 Series · sedan not rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 BMW 330CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
330ci RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual182722$3,750
330ci RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172520$4,100
330ci Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual172620$4,100
330ci Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 BMW 330CI → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 17 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 330CI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20063476,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053366,6122—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20047751,6722—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200318110,0003—20—Falling
20024688,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200182112,1715—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW 330CI model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW 330CI have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 330CI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 BMW 330CI is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 27 complaints (59% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2002 BMW 330CI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 330CI get?

The EPA rates the 2002 BMW 330CI (330ci, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW 330CI reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,000 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 108,000 miles; 9% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.