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BMW 330XIModel year report

2003 BMW 330XI Problems

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
106,000miles, 19 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 2003 BMW 330XI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 330XI. The part named most often is air bags, with 13 complaints (39% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and tires (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, 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.

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: Seats (1), Steering (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “We bought a Bmw 330XI in august 2003. In april and july 2007, we had the airbag sign come up on the dashboard. We got it repaired the first time we had it and it worked well for a while - no sign. Then the sign came on again in june. We gave it for repair again and the dealership again repaired it and told us that the problem had been solved. Our car went out of warranty in august 2007. We have that sign coming up again since september 2007. We gave for repairs to a non-dealer facility (about summer 2008) and the it could not be resolved. …”

NHTSA complaint #10244492, filed 2008-10, 34,800 miles

Electrical system: “All exterior lights comes on when the car is off, and now the car stays on when the key out out of the ignition. The recall was fixed before about the lights but they started back again I just got the car and I can't even drive it without the battery dying if I go to work or even the store”

NHTSA complaint #11184018, filed 2019-03, 164,300 miles

Tires: “On 3 separate occasions in past 2 years I have experienced tire blow outs on a total of 4 tires on my 2003 Bmw 330XI. All were caused by driving on highways at highway speeds and striking either a pothole or a raised manhole cover. Most recent occurrence also cracked the alloy wheel which had to be replaced. Bmw says this is to be expected and the wheels are not designed for hitting potholes . Since when are cars only designed for operating under perfect conditions? Total repair expense has been nearly $2000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10137615, filed 2005-09

Exterior lighting: “Tail lights failed on my 2003 Bmw 330XI. The shop foreman at my Bmw dealership explained that he has been seeing a lot of tail light failures because the wiring was not designed to handle the load and therefore the wires have been frying out. My work order states repairs were done to diagnose & replace melted tail light connectors and wiring.”

NHTSA complaint #10138737, filed 2005-10, 56,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 56,500 and 153,000 miles.

5%0–105%10–2511%25–5016%50–7511%75–10026%100–15026%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 106,000 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.

’05’104’1444’17’20’25
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 2003 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 2003 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-cyl6-speed manual182721$3,900
330xi 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual182520$4,100
330xi 4WD/AWD3.0L 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 2003 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 2003 BMW 330XI have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 330XI as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 BMW 330XI is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 13 complaints (39% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 2003 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 2003 BMW 330XI get?

The EPA rates the 2003 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 2003 BMW 330XI reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,000 miles and the middle half falls between 56,500 and 153,000 miles; 21% 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.