BMW 330Ci Complaints (2004)

77 consumer complaints on file.

#11664996June 5, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to the reverse position, the engine began to rev very high, and the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove reverse into the side of the home. During the incident the vehicle the destroyed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic but the cause of the failure was not determined and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575028March 2, 2024
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While backing out of a short driveway and placed t to drive, the vehicle revved and started speeding out of control with brakes applied. The vehicle sideswiped a neighbors vehicle before crashing head on into a tree causing it to stop. I had jerked up the emergency brake and ripped the key out of the ignition. The replaced airbags did not deploy.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11180685February 17, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE ADAPTIVE BIXENON HEADLIGHTS USE BIODEGRADABLE WIRING. THIS WIRING CANNOT WITHSTAND THE HEADLIGHTS ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE WIRES CAN TEAR OR WORSE THE INSULATION CAN CRUMBLE OFF. THIS LEADS TO A HUGE FIRE RISK. FURTHERMORE, BMW DOES NOT HAVE ANY FORM OF FIXING THE PROBLEM. THEY ONLY SELL NEW HEADLIGHT UNITS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. TO BE CLEAR, NO INCIDENT OCCURRED TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN STANDARD USE OF THE CAR. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB ON ALL CARS USING THIS WIRING, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE E60 M5 PLATFORM. THE RESULT IS HEADLIGHTS THAT CAN TURN OFF AT ANY TIME OR WORSE THEY CAN SHORT AND CAUSE A FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11138901October 7, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS ARE FLICKERING (STATIONARY OR IN MOTION). THIS POINTS TO A FAULTY WIRING ISSUE, ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THIS ON INTERNET FORUMS FOR THIS VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11056857December 27, 2017
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" I'VE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE VEHICLE APART OF THE TAKATA RECALL. I'M A SINGLE FATHER OF A 13 YR OLD SON. KNOWING THE DANGER MY SON HAS BEEN IN ALL OF THIS TIME HAS SHAKEN MY CORE COMFORT ZONE TO DUST. I'M NOW IN THE PROCESS TO CORRECT THIS BAD AIRBAG CURRENTLY IN MY VEHICLE. MY SON'S FUTURE HAS BEEN PLACED IN RUSK AND THAT WILL NOT BE LEFT UNCHECKED BY MEANS AVAILABLE. I WAS HIT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR AND THE BAD AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, THANK GOD!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10959971March 10, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING PARKED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, LOW BATTERY 9.8 VOLTS. SPONTANEOUSLY HEADLIGHTS CAME ON SMOKE FILLED CAR, DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY OR BY REMOTE. SHATTERED DOOR GLASS WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER . CLOSE INSPECTION APPEARS FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED FIRE HAD 8 TO 10" FLAMES COMING OUT OF LEFT DASHBOARD. DAMAGE TO HDLT SWITCH,VENTS,DASH,CLUSTER,A PILLAR COVER. PUT OUT FIRE MYSELF SO NO FIRE DEPT. REPORTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10945835January 17, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LAMP TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10945882January 17, 2017
AIR BAGS
1-10-2017 APPROX. 5:15PM. DRIVING HOME ON I-80 FREEWAY, RAINY WEATHER, 5PM TRAFFIC, SO I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 55MPH, THERE IS SOME ROUGH ROAD BUT NOT REALLY ANY POTHOLES. I DROVE OVER THE BAD ROAD AND THE DRIVER CURTAIN AND DOOR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE WAS NEVER ANY IMPACT BUT THE ROAD DID SHAKE THE CAR. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR THAT FROM THE ROAD. I DRIVE THE SAME ROUTE HOME IN OUR OTHER CAR DAILY AND IT NEVER SETS THE AIR BAG OFF OR ANYONE ELSE DRIVING THAT EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926533November 16, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT WIRING ON MY 2004 BMW 330CI DEGRADED PREMATURELY ACCELERATED BY HEAT AND HIGH VOLTAGE UNTIL IT CAUSED MY HEADLIGHT TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE EARLY EVENING. THE SYMPTOM WAS CAUSED BY THE SUPPLY WIRES TO THE IGNITER LOSING THERE INSULATION AT STRESSED HARNESS ATTACHMENT POINT, ARCED OVER, AND CAUSED THE COPPER CONDUCTORS TO BECOME BRITTLE. THIS SYMPTOM WAS SEEN ON THE PROJECTOR ASSEMBLY WIRING AS WELL AS THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT WHICH DID NOT EXHIBIT THE COPPER BREAKDOWN. INSULATION OF BOTH ASSEMBLIES CRUMBLED TO FLAKES WHEN TOUCHED AND RENDERED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY UNUSABLE. THIS FAULT COULD JUST AS EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DURING WHICH THE SPECIFIED HEADLIGHT FUSES MAY NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THE ASSOCIATED VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THE ONLY PROVIDED SOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS TO BUY A NEW ASSEMBLY FOR A COMPONENT WHICH SHOULD ONLY REQUIRE PERIODIC REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMPS WHEN THEY BURN OUT. FORTUNATELY MY CAR ALSO FLOOD LIGHTS WHICH HELPED TO LIGHT THE WAY WHEN THE HEADLAMP FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10902951August 31, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 03/09/17.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10899091August 29, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10895891August 15, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10887458July 21, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10885741July 19, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHT WIRING JACKETS FLAKED OFF. HAD THE BALLAST AND BULB REPLACED IN PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT, BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT NO LONGER WORKED. NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BARE & LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD CLIPPED 2 OF THE WIRES. AFTER REPLACING BOTH THE BALLAST & HEADLIGHT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. BUT A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER, TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOW IT WORKS AGAIN. I KNOW THIS IS NOT SAFE, I SEE WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. NOT SURE HOW TO GET THE NEW WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHT OR DOES THE WHOLE THING NEED REPLACED? IT SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THIS MANY CARS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10885763July 19, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY OFF. EACH TIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE TAIL LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS ON OR OFF. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS OFF, TOO. I SWITCHED THE BULBS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THEY STILL WORK. I CAN'T CHECK MY FUSES BECAUSE MY GLOVEBOX DOESN'T OPEN ANYMORE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10874596June 16, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10865326May 17, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/25/16.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860328April 19, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860176April 18, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME THAT THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822765January 28, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM: VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW AND HIGH VELOCITY SPEED. HAD TO COMPLETELY TURN THE IGNITION TO OFF POSITION TO BE ABLE TO RESTART. I HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK ON HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. SO FAR 11 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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