2005 BMW 330Ci Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 20 of 33 total complaints (61%) on the 2005 BMW 330Ci, the largest single problem area for this year. Two related recalls cover Takata airbag inflators, and most owners describe long parts-availability delays rather than actual failures.
- Airbags complaints
- 20
- 61% of 33 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 33
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 101,292 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report unexpected side-impact airbag deployment while driving with no collision or apparent cause, at a median mileage of 101,292.
- Many owners describe receiving recall notice 14V428000 or 15V318000 for the driver or passenger front airbag inflator, then waiting months with no replacement parts available at dealers.
- Several complaints state dealers could not give any estimated date for when Takata airbag repair parts would arrive, leaving the recall unresolved.
- One owner reported a dealer in Brooklyn, NY refused to complete the passenger airbag safety recall despite repeated requests.
- Most contacts who filed complaints about the recall delay said they had not personally experienced an airbag failure, only frustration over the wait.
When 2005 BMW 330Ci airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 24, 2010, latest May 22, 2020.
Airbags recalls for the 2005 BMW 330Ci
- NHTSA 20V018000Jan 15, 2020Airbags292,948 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 15V318000May 28, 2015Airbags419,235 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Airbags complaints by 330Ci model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
- 200520 (61%)
- 200626 (76%)
Frequently asked questions
- What airbag problems do owners report on the 2005 BMW 330Ci?
- Owners report unexpected airbag deployment without a crash and long delays getting recall repairs completed due to unavailable Takata inflator parts. Airbags make up 20 of the 33 total complaints filed for this model year, or 61%.
- Is there a recall for the 2005 BMW 330Ci airbags?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 20V018000 for the passenger front airbag and campaign 15V318000 for Takata airbag inflators, both marked do-not-drive until repaired.
- At what mileage do airbag problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag-related complaints on this model year is 101,292 miles.
- Did the airbag issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this model year shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries linked to the airbag complaints.
- Why do so many complaints mention parts being unavailable?
- Multiple owners state that after receiving recall notices for campaigns 14V428000 and 15V318000, dealers had no replacement Takata airbag parts in stock for extended periods, so the do-not-drive instruction had not been resolved.