BMW 330Ci Complaints (2001)

82 consumer complaints on file.

#10443773January 14, 2012
AIR BAGS
DRIVING DOWN STRAIGHT ROAD AND HAD TO SWERVE RIGHT TO AVOID ANIMAL THAT RAN SUDDENLY INTO ROAD. ROAD HAD NO RUN-OFF BEFORE STEEP ROCKY DROP TO DITCH 1-2 FT BELOW. RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE TIRES BARELY GOT INTO ROCKS, WHICH BENT BOTH RIGHT SIDE RIMS AND PUNCTURED RIGHT SIDE REAR TIRE. BOTTOM OF CAR BOTTOMED OUT ON EDGE OF ROAD WITH HEAVY BUMP, WHICH SOMEHOW CAUSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIRBAG AND DRIVERS SIDE HEAD PROTECTION AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL CAR BACK UP ON ROAD AFTER ROCKY AREA LEVELED BACK UP TO ROAD EDGE. I GOT OUT AND INSPECTED - REAR BUMPER BOTTOM WAS TORN FROM SLIDING ON EDGE OF ROAD, PREVIOUSLY SAID TIRE DAMAGE WAS SEEN. SEEMED TO BE FAIRLY MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL CAR, FRONT BUMPER ONLY HAS DIRT AND NO DAMAGE. THIS WAS AN IMPACT HARD ENOUGH TO BEND RIMS, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AS THE IMPACT WAS FROM BELOW THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443204January 9, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40-50 MPH WHEN THE TAIL LAMP WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436915November 23, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 12/12/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424535September 9, 2011
POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION, WILL NOT WORK IN REVERSE. THE CAR JUST REVS, AND GOES NOWHERE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND STILL BMW DOES NOT RECALL THESE CARS. 4200.00 PLUS LABOR, FOR A REMANUFACTURED ONE FROM DEALER. I AM DONE WITH BMW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384626February 26, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE REVERSE , I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET IT WAS A LOT OF COMPLIANT ABOUT BMW TRANSMISSION ESPECIALLY THE MODEL 5HP19 ZF ,THERE IS EVEN A WEBSITE CALLED NOREVERSE.ORG WHERE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS MODEL . BMW WONT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE , AND WE DEFINITELY NEED AN ACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377154January 19, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MERGING INTO A TURN LANE WHEN HE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, TO SUSTAIN INJURIES TO THE EYE AND FRACTURES TO THE ORBITAL WALL. THE DRIVER DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND HE WAS AWAITING THE OPENING OF AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,088. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10375496January 10, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY OVER A SPAN OF TWO YEARS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SENSOR PADS LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/06/11.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370991December 16, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THERE IS A METAL STRAP THAT SUPPORTS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BRACKET TO WHICH THE FORWARD END OF THIS STRAP MOUNTS TO HAS BROKEN FREE FROM THE UNDERBODY. THE STRAP AND BRACKET SEEM TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. IT'S JUST THE WELDS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE UNDERBODY HAVE BROKEN. THERE IS VERY MINIMAL RUST ON THE UNDERBODY COMPONENTS. IT APPEARS THAT THE TACK WELDS JUST FAILED. THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP WANTED $1200 TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. I THEN TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP. THEY REMOVED THE TANK AND WELDED THE BRACKET BACK IN PLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362721October 27, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ON MY 2001 BMW 330CI THE PASSENGER FUEL TANK TRAP HAS BROKEN OFF. MY FUEL TANK WAS HANGING HALF WAY DOWN ALMOST TOUCHING THE FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357321September 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE D-CLUTCH DRUM HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332373May 26, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR BMW 2001 330 CI- MY GAS TANK STRAP BROKE OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND STARTING DRAGGING ON THE GROUND, CREATING A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO A SHOP SPECIALIZING IN BMW'S, THEY SAID THEY JUST FIXED ONE OF THESE LAST WEEK. THE ARE CUSTOM WELDING ON A BRACE FOR ME. MY BILL IS $500 PLUS FOR THIS CRUCIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331616May 21, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN DECEMBER OF 2009. MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE DOOR MOUNTED SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT ENGAGE. THE INSURANCE CARRIER TOTALED MY VEHICLE, A 2001 BMW 330CI - VIN # [XXX] . *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10327251April 24, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE METAL STRAP THAT SUPPORTS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK FAILED; THE BRACKET TO WHICH THE FORWARD END OF THIS STRAP MOUNTS TO, HAS BROKEN FREE FROM THE UNDERBODY. THE STRAP AND BRACKET SEEM TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE BUT IT'S THE WELDS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE UNDERBODY HAS BROKEN. WHEN THE BRACKET BROKE FREE FROM THE UNDERBODY, IT DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE STILL ATTACHED TO THE STRAP AND DRAGGED ON THE ROAD MAKING A VERY LOUD METAL-DRAGGING-ON-ROAD SCREECHING NOISE. THE FUEL TANK NOW HAS DROPPED ABOUT 3 INCHES DOWN ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND, THE FUEL TANK COULD BREAK INTO TWO IF IT DROPS ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND AND SPARK A FIRE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, WELDS FOR FUEL TANK STRAPS JUST DO NOT RANDOMLY POP OFF FROM THE CAR, WHAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FUEL TANK BROKE FREE AND BECAME PUNCTURED, I WOULD BE FRIED TO A CRISP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323268April 1, 2010
STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL ROAD, THE FUEL TANK STRAP OF MY 2001 BMW 330CI SUDDENLY BROKE OFF. IT FAILED AT THE WELD POINTS. THE FUEL TANK DID REMAIN IN TACT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND BMW REPAIRED IT. PLEASE NOTE THAT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON BMW INTERNET FORUMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319267March 12, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2:00 PM I LEFT GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO TO GO TO A MEETING AT 49TH AND NOME STREET. I ARRIVED AT MY MEETING IN MY BMW AT APPROXIMATELY AT 2:30 WITH NO PROBLEMS OR INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS. 4:00 PM I LEFT THE MEETING. THEN I SMELLED SOMETHING WITH A DISTINCT ODOR 4:08 PM I DROVE ONTO EAST BOUND I-70 AND CONTINUED ON I-70 UNTIL THE RAMP TO SOUTHBOUND I-225, APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE OR SO. I WAS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH AND THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AT THIS TIME. MY WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP AND I HAD THE RADIO ON. I DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ON INSIDE THE CAR. THE ODOR GOT A LOT WORSE AS I ENTERED ONTO THE RAMP. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE BMW FRONT VENTS AND THEN A FLAME CAME FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS NOW ON I-225 HEADING SOUTHBOUND AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. AS I WAS MOVING OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP. A LOT OF SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ALL OF THE FRONT VENTS, AND ESPECIALLY THE FRONT DEFROSTER. I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT AND IT WAS NORMAL. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS RUNNING FINE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THEN MORE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. THEN, FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND FRONT DEFROSTER. 4:10 PM THE ENGINE WAS STILL TURNED OFF. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE WENT THROUGH THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF STRAIGHT UP. 4:20 PM THE AURORA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MORE AURORA POLICE CAME.. THEY TOWED THE CAR AWAY TO THE IMPOUND LOT. THE INVESTIGATOR SAID MAYBE HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE IS THE PROBLEM. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE AT BMW SERVICE AND NOTHING RECENT. CAR IS TOTALED. NO AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317771March 8, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL GAUGE READS 1/4 TANK OFF FROM THE CORRECT LEVEL. THIS CAUSE DRIVERS TO ASSUME THAT THEY STILL HAVE GAS BUT THEY REALLY EMPTY AND IF HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND KILL PEOPLE. IT HAPPENED TO ME GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE SO IT WAS ON LOW SPEED SO THE CAR STOPPED AND LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND KEPT DISTANCE AND COULD STOP WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENTS. CONTACT THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT BMW SERVICE REVEAL THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THOSE YEARS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL GAGE FLOATERS ( THERE ARE 2 OF THEM) BUT BMW DECIDED NOT TO RECALL THEM AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315558March 2, 2010
STEERING
2001 BMW 330CI POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS BMW HAS SEVERAL THAT SHAFT BREAKS AT ANY TIME ANY SPEED RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS(WIFE) ; REVERSING OUT OF DRIVE WAY 4 MPG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273489June 10, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HELLO, I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 BMW 330CIC. YESTERDAY, MY CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE IN "REVERSE" ONCE THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO THAT GEAR. WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION MODEL, AND WAS THUS LED TO THIS WEBSITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A "ZF-5HP19" MODEL TRANSMISSION. FROM WHAT I GATHER THIS TRANSMISSION COMMONLY HAS THIS FAILURE . 1. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. 2. MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE IN "REVERSE" 3. SINCE THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY, I A SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266487April 23, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITONS; THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF UPDATED 06/18/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256925January 30, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I WAS NOTIFIED BY A MECHANIC THAT MY CAR'S COOLING SYSTEM HAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH IT ... FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING AND WOULD SIMPLY PUT ANTIFREEZE IN IT AND PROCEED. WELL MY COOLING SYSTEM FINALLY DIED ON JAN 23, 2009 ON ME AND MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I AM ELIGIBLE TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER SINCE THEY HAD A RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR MY CAR'S MAKE/MODEL. I CONTACTED BMW TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALL AND CITEDFOR THEM THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING AS WELL AS THE RECALL NUMBERS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULDNT' FIX MY CAR AND THAT I WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL (THE RECALL #'S ARE: 02V138000 AND 01V206000). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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