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BMW 330CIModel year report

2005 BMW 330CI Problems

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,612miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in 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 2005 BMW 330CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2005 BMW 330CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 20 complaints (61% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (7) and body and structure (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,612 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The side impact air bag deployed for what seemed like no apparent reason while driving home from work on feb 14th 2010 at approximately 2320 hours. I managed to keep the car under control and made it to the side of the road. I inspected the vehicle and nothing struck it and there was no tire damage. I restarted the car and drove home and contacted Bmw north america about the problem and they said they were going to cover the oct of the repairs even though the vehicle is out of warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10313765, filed 2010-02, 70,224 miles

Exterior lighting: “I have owned this vehicle for a while. I was stationary while I discovered the following. Door locks did not work consistently with the key fob, convertible top also, windows sometimes worked, wipers also. I read forums to realize the general module failed relays is a known problem. This known problem endangers the operator, passengers, and the public, and a recall and redesign should be ordered for the safety of the public. I tried to add pictures, but the form crashes.”

NHTSA complaint #11362589, filed 2020-10, 84,000 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2005 Bmw 330CI. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the plastic that covered the front driver's side headlight wiring started to peel. The contact was concerned that the wires could become exposed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,124.”

NHTSA complaint #11024102, filed 2017-09, 157,124 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,800 and 107,200 miles.

0%0–1014%10–2514%25–5029%50–7514%75–10021%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,612 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20062012201510201720212024
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 2005 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 2005 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-cyl6-speed manual182721$3,900
330ci RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182721$3,900
330ci RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172520$4,100
330ci Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual172620$4,100
330ci Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100
330ci Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162319$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 2005 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. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 23 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 2005 BMW 330CI have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2005 BMW 330CI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 BMW 330CI is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 20 complaints (61% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 7.

Has the 2005 BMW 330CI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 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 2005 BMW 330CI get?

The EPA rates the 2005 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 2005 BMW 330CI reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,612 miles and the middle half falls between 44,800 and 107,200 miles; 29% 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.