How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 330ci have?

The 2004 BMW 330ci has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2004 BMW 330ci has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2004 BMW 330ci?

Of 82 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2004 BMW 330ci Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 BMW 330ci has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 712,183 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

AIR BAGS 15V318000 2015-05-28 419,235 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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…

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Total complaints82

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns aâ 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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2025-05-31

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2023-09-17

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2023-09-17

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2023-09-17

“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.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-09-26

“"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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-07-27

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-03-09

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-01-10

Defect investigations

Investigation DP04001 Opened 2004-02-03 · closed 2004-05-27

DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT

MS. CLAIRE M. TIEDER OF RESTON, VA, SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED JANUARY 11, 2004, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED INTO DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2004 BMW XI VEHICLES.BMW'S RESPONSE TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION…