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BMW 330XIModel year report

2002 BMW 330XI Problems

Complaints
20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
82,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
54 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 4WD/AWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 330XI. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and engine (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (4 marked do-not-drive) and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 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.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: “Takato recall - I received recall notice in july 2015 and even with repeated calls to Bmw dealer, no repair has been done. I refrain from driving the car and have less than 400 miles in the last year, but still have to pay for insurance, inspection, license. I have been postponing repairs, but I don't want to spend more money on a car that I shouldn't drive.”

NHTSA complaint #10903623, filed 2016-09, 144,000 miles

Electrical system: “The smell of electircal fire and thick black smoke poored out the left side of my stearing colum. Flames started to shoot out and enguffed my Bmw to nothing!”

NHTSA complaint #11164893, filed 2019-01, 120,000 miles

Engine: “Keeps leaking engine oil even after multiple changes. (city street, chicago illinois) stationary most of the time. Hasn't been moved since leaking oil. (too worried)”

NHTSA complaint #11309563, filed 2020-02, 190,000 miles

Tires: “Contiprocontact 205/50 r17 93v / a37p 3pl 3510 has a sidewall bulge. Its mileage is 5,894. It was purchased to replace the same model tire because of a sidewall bulge. That tire had similar mileage. All tires were purchased from sts/mavis tire.”

NHTSA complaint #10943697, filed 2017-01, 89,470 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 144,000 miles.

9%0–100%10–250%25–5036%50–7518%75–10018%100–15018%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 82,000 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.

200920112015520172020
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 330XI. 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 330XI 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
330xi 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual182520$4,100
330xi 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162318$4,550

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 330XI → · 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 330XI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2006104101,0006—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20051297,0004—21—Not enough data
200413105,2504—21—Not enough data
200333106,0005—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20022082,0005—20—Falling
20011188,0005—20—Not enough data

All BMW 330XI model years

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 330XI as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2002 BMW 330XI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 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 330XI get?

The EPA rates the 2002 BMW 330XI (330xi, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 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 330XI reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 144,000 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 27, 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.