U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw 330CI brakes problems

15 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

291 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

93,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 to 2006 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 170 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

15 of 291 complaints match this topic (5.2%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 10086860 · 2004-08-14 (August 14, 2004)

I BOUGHT A 2001 BMW 330CIC [XXX] IN OCT. OF 2003 FROM A PRIVATE PERSON. BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I PAID ~$200 TO A BMW DEALER AND GOT IT CHECKED FOR MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD ~ 53K MILES ON IT AND THEY SAID NO PROBLEMS. HENCE I WENT AND BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THIS PRIVATE OWNER. JUST AFTER 2 MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL BUSHINGS THAT COST ME ABOUT ~$500 AND AFTER ANOTHER 2 MONTHS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD. I PAID ABOUT $800 FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND PARTS. NOW JUST A FEW DAYS AGO THE CAR STOPPED DRIVING IN REVERSE. I HAV…

Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086860 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10160346 · 2006-06-21 (June 21, 2006)

AFTER ONLY 39,000 MILES OF VERY GENTLE DRIVING, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SCRAP ON MY 2001 BMW 330CI. SYMPTOM SHOW UP AS A JERK ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKES ARE QUICKLY APPLIED. FRONT WHEELS CAN ALSO BE OBSERVED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BY AN ONLOOKER MOVING WITHIN THE WHEEL WELL WHEN VEHICLE GETS ROLLING AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THEN RELEASED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN HIGH WEAR AREA. INTEND TO CLAIM FROM BMW EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160346 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10436915 · 2011-11-23 (November 23, 2011)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436915 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10173822 · 2006-11-19 (November 19, 2006)

STRUCK A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN I TRIED TO STOP IN THE RAIN. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DID NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE BUT MY CAR HAD OVER $5700 WORTH OF DAMAGE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 88,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173822 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10464278 · 2012-07-05 (July 5, 2012)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER MOVED FROM REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464278 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

291 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

58.4%Usable mileage170 / 291 records

99.0%Valid incident date288 / 291 records

100.0%Valid filing date291 / 291 records

98.6%Ordered incident and filing dates287 / 291 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Air Bags	1100.0% ODI 10672140 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10672140 at NHTSA ↗	1315.9% ODI 10128936 · 56,000 mi DT THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAPPENED AROUND MAY 31, 2005. VEHICLE ENDED UP OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT HIT CONSUMER IN THE HEAD. HAD HEADACHES FOR A FEW DAYS AFTERWARD. AK JB Look up ODI 10128936 at NHTSA ↗	2656.5% ODI 10350622 · 47,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A TRAILER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM ITS HOUSING BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BUT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000. Look up ODI 10350622 at NHTSA ↗	950.0% ODI 10744285 2003 BMW 330CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG RECALL INSTALLATION PROBLEMS. SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE AIR BAG PART INSTALLED, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITH NO EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND A MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. JB Look up ODI 10744285 at NHTSA ↗	2836.4% ODI 10242871 · 58,000 mi ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MY 2004 BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE. WE HAD A VEHICLE RUN A LEFT TURN RED LIGHT INTO US AS WE WERE PASSING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION IN KENT WA. I ESTIMATE THE IMPACT WAS PROBABLY EQUIVALENT TO A 50 TO 60 MPH COLLISION. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE ROLL OVER ROLL BAR DID. WITH THE RECALL OF AIR BAGS FOR THE BMW I THINK IT MAY ALSO APPLY TO THE 2004 3 SERIES ALSO. IF THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IT MAY HAVE ELIMINATED SOME ACHES AND PAINS THAT WE AR… Look up ODI 10242871 at NHTSA ↗	1957.6% ODI 10670798 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 02/05/15*LJ Look up ODI 10670798 at NHTSA ↗	2573.5% ODI 10442246 · 26,600 mi VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SOUTH IN THE LEFT HAND LANE ON HIGHWAY 101 IN VENTURA CALIFORNIA. DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF CAR AND WAS ABLE TO REACH THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. POLICE RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND VERIFIED THAT NO DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED TO THE CAR. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RESULTED IN SUPERFICIAL BURNS TO THE DRIVERS LEFT ARM AND RESIDUAL PAIN IN THE NECK REGION. DEPLOYMENT CAUSED VIOLENT MOTION TO THE CAR AND IF IT … Look up ODI 10442246 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	78.5% ODI 10443204 · 104,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10443204 at NHTSA ↗	24.3% ODI 10466509 · 77,902 mi I FOUND THAT MY REVERSE LIGHT WAS OUT LATE IN JULY AND TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I'VE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE E46 MODEL AND I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF RECALL OR COMPENSATION FOR THE INADEQUACY OF THE REAR LIGHTS IN THIS MODEL. *TR Look up ODI 10466509 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	810.4% ODI 10447106 · 120,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE PARTIALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE CONVERTIBLE MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. Look up ODI 10447106 at NHTSA ↗	515.2% ODI 10551438 · 63,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IGNITER, CONTROLLER, AND BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. Look up ODI 10551438 at NHTSA ↗	25.9% ODI 10956935 PASSENGER-SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT ERROR, RESULTING IN DASH LIGHT AND LED TAILLIGHT NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED. Look up ODI 10956935 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	89.8% ODI 10319267 · 65,000 mi 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 E… Look up ODI 10319267 at NHTSA ↗	48.7% ODI 10180938 · 61,000 mi AFTER DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X 5 FIVE BLOCKS FROM MY HOME, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND PARKED THE CAR. FROM THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO GET OUT AND WALK TO THE REAR OF THE CAR, IT WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND IN SHORT ORDER THE CAR BURNED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS AND HIRED AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN VEHICLE FIRES AND CAUSATION. THE CONCLUSSION OF THE REPORT WAS THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, ORIGINATING IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS SITUATION WITH BMW FIRES ON DIFFER… Look up ODI 10180938 at NHTSA ↗	316.7% ODI 10505303 · 120,000 mi DROVE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. LEFT THE CAR PARKED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOOR VIA REMOTE KEY FOB IT DID NOT. I GOT INSIDE THE CAR AND TRIED TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY BUT IT STILL DID NOT LET ME. I HAD MY HANDICAPPED SISTER WITH ME AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HER INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD SOMEBODY COME TO PICK HER UP AFTER OVER 3 HOURS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER CAR THAT WILL NOT UNLOCK AT LEAST MANUALLY WHEN YOU PULL THE DOOR LEVER ON THE INSIDE OR LIFT THE LOCK MECHANISM MANUALLY. NEXT DAY THE LOCK WORKED IN THE MORNING BUT AS… Look up ODI 10505303 at NHTSA ↗	56.5% ODI 10089465 · 6,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED. AK POWER LOSS ISSUE. SC Look up ODI 10089465 at NHTSA ↗	26.1% ODI 11362589 · 84,000 mi I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. I WAS STATIONARY WHILE I DISCOVERED THE FOLLOWING. DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY WITH THE KEY FOB, CONVERTIBLE TOP ALSO, WINDOWS SOMETIMES WORKED, WIPERS ALSO. I READ FORUMS TO REALIZE THE GENERAL MODULE FAILED RELAYS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE OPERATOR, PASSENGERS, AND THE PUBLIC, AND A RECALL AND REDESIGN SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. I TRIED TO ADD PICTURES, BUT THE FORM CRASHES. Look up ODI 11362589 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	78.5% ODI 10086860 · 64,000 mi I BOUGHT A 2001 BMW 330CIC [XXX] IN OCT. OF 2003 FROM A PRIVATE PERSON. BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I PAID ~$200 TO A BMW DEALER AND GOT IT CHECKED FOR MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD ~ 53K MILES ON IT AND THEY SAID NO PROBLEMS. HENCE I WENT AND BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THIS PRIVATE OWNER. JUST AFTER 2 MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL BUSHINGS THAT COST ME ABOUT ~$500 AND AFTER ANOTHER 2 MONTHS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD. I PAID ABOUT $800 FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND PARTS. NOW JUST A FEW DAYS AGO THE CAR STOPPED DRIVING IN REVERSE. I HAV… Look up ODI 10086860 at NHTSA ↗	12.2% ODI 10300379 · 81,000 mi ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I HAD MY 2002 BMW 330CI SERVICED AT BEVERLY HILLS BMW. DURING THAT $700+ SERVICE, THEY PERFORMED AN INSPECTION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER EVERY MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY, I HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN I ASKED BMW WHY THEY DIDN\'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION DURING THEIR $700+ INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THEY CAN\'T PREDICT WHEN PARTS ARE GOING TO FAIL. WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION -- WHY DID I PAY $700+ FOR AN INSPECTION THAT CAN TELL WHEN SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO G… Look up ODI 10300379 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 10378147 · 101,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PUT HER VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE IT MADE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE PROCEEDING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 101,000. Look up ODI 10378147 at NHTSA ↗	810.4% ODI 10058256 BRAND NEW 2004 CAR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - USUALLY HAPPENS ONCE A DAY IN THE EARLY MORNING. COLD START, WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR INTO "DRIVE", IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS FOR "D" TO ENGAGE AND MUST REV UP TO 2000-4000 RPM TO GO FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN STARTING ON STEEP ROADS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL SLIP BACKWARDS FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT FIRST OCCUR ON MY NEW CAR AROUND 400 MILES AND HAS OCCUR MANY TIMES, ON AND OFF, FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH 2003 AND 2004 BMW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. NO REAL SOLUTIONS FROM DEA… Look up ODI 10058256 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.2% ODI 10373126 · 50,000 mi 2002 BMW 330CIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GEARS DO NOT ALWAYS SHIFT DOWN WHEN NEEDING TO STOP, OFTEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND CONTINUE AT THE SAME SPEED. TGW THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE VANOS UNIT WHICH CONTROLLED THE CAMSHAFT AND IS PART OF THE ENGINE. JB Look up ODI 10373126 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1013.0% ODI 10054249 · 190 mi WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR BECAME IMMEDIATELY UN DRIVABLE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS IN THE CAR MISFIRED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, SENDING THE ENGINE INTO A COMPLETE UNBALANCE. *CB Look up ODI 10054249 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	89.8% ODI 10317771 · 64,010 mi 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 RECAL… Look up ODI 10317771 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	33.9% ODI 10303001 · 91,261 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 330CI WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY ENGINE STOPPED WORKING, WHICH RESULTED IN NO ENGINE POWER, NO POWER BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.*CW Look up ODI 10303001 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	89.8% ODI 10461105 · 143,323 mi WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY AT NEAR FREEWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A SUDDEN THUMP, THEN THE SOUND OF SOMETHING DRAGGING ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE CAR. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE 4 TINY SPOT WELDS AND EPOXY THAT FIXES THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP TO THE CAR HAD BROKEN FREE, ALLOWING THE TANK STRAP TO DRAG ON THE GROUND AND THE FUEL TANK TO COME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE ROAD SURFACE. I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK. *JS Look up ODI 10461105 at NHTSA ↗	12.2% ODI 10609995 · 138,000 mi THREE OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS STARTED LEAKING AT THE BODY/WIRING TERMINALS. ONE INJECTOR WAS LEAKING ENOUGH TO WITNESS A FREQUENT DRIP (APPROXIMATELY ONE DROP/SECOND) FROM THE BODY, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE VISIBLY WET (HAVE VIDEO OF THIS, AS WELL). LEAK OCCURRED ANY TIME THE FUEL RAIL WAS PRESSURIZED OR THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SMELL OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE WHAT PROMPTED INSPECTION. ISSUE WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING ALL THREE LEAKY INJECTORS WITH NEW ONES (NO ISSUE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW). AM CONCERNED, NOT O… Look up ODI 10609995 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	44.9% ODI 10459867 · 95,300 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION, THE COOLING FAN WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. Look up ODI 10459867 at NHTSA ↗	24.3% ODI 10463253 · 110,000 mi CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY. PARKED IN GARAGE AT 6:30PM. AT 7:20AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT A WHITE VAPOR/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILL OF THE BMW 330CI. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STARTED SINCE BEING PARKED THE EVENING BEFORE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHITE VAPOR TURNED INTO HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM BENEATH THE CAR AS IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AT THE FIRST NOTICE OF VAPOR AND FIREMEN ARRIVED 12 - 18 MIN. LATER, AT WHICH TI… Look up ODI 10463253 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 11350004 THE COOLING FANS EXPLODED AFTER I STARTED MY CAR UP FOLLOWING COOLANT FLUID LEAKING OUT THE BOTTOM OF A HOSE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS SHOWING THE CAR OVER HEATING IN THE END RESULT. Look up ODI 11350004 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.9% ODI 11066685 · 120,000 mi THIS ISSUE IS WITH THE PISTON RINGS OF THE BMW M54 ENGINE. IT BURNS OIL AT A CRAZY RATE AND ONLY NOW ARE PEOPLE FINALLY FIGURING OUT THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. BMW LISTS SEVERAL OTHER FIXES FOR THE OIL BURNING ISSUE, BUT NONE OF THEM SOLVE THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE OWNER TO SEEK REPAIRS THAT DON'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. BMW STATES THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THE M54 ENGINE TO BURN UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS ENGINE IS IN MANY DIFFERENT BMW MODELS AND MANY OWNERS ARE EFFECTED. MY CAR NOW BURNS ABOUT 1 QUART FOR EVERY 500 MILES I DRIVE.… Look up ODI 11066685 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	58,500–133,590 mi	97,000 mi	34	ODI 10128936 · 56,000 mi DT THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAPPENED AROUND MAY 31, 2005. VEHICLE ENDED UP OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT HIT CONSUMER IN THE HEAD. HAD HEADACHES FOR A FEW DAYS AFTERWARD. AK JB Look up ODI 10128936 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10375496 · 60,000 mi 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.… Look up ODI 10375496 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10377154 · 99,088 mi 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… Look up ODI 10377154 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	87,000–118,617 mi	104,000 mi	19	ODI 10443204 · 104,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10443204 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10447143 · 117,233 mi LEFT TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. INSPECTION FOUND BURNT GROUND WIRE AT WIRING CONNECTOR. REPLACEMENT OF GROUND WIRE, CONNECTOR AND BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED. TR Look up ODI 10447143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10448805 · 92,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WITH THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. Look up ODI 10448805 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	93,250–120,845 mi	115,750 mi	18	ODI 10319267 · 65,000 mi 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 E… Look up ODI 10319267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10447143 · 117,233 mi LEFT TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. INSPECTION FOUND BURNT GROUND WIRE AT WIRING CONNECTOR. REPLACEMENT OF GROUND WIRE, CONNECTOR AND BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED. TR Look up ODI 10447143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10500549 · 103,000 mi I WAS RECEIVING A INTERMITTENT LEFT TAIL LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR AND ASSUMED IT WAS A BULB THAT WAS GOING OUT. AFTER SOME TIME HAD PAST I RECEIVED A STEADY LEFT TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO REPLACE THE BULB I DISCOVERED THE BULBS WAS FINE AND FOUND THE WIRING/CONNECTOR IN THE TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER HAD A SHORT/MELTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM ON THE 2002-2005 BMW E46 3SERIES WHICH A TAIL LIGHT RECALL WAS ISSUED. TR Look up ODI 10500549 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	3,000–110,500 mi	77,500 mi	12	ODI 10086860 · 64,000 mi I BOUGHT A 2001 BMW 330CIC [XXX] IN OCT. OF 2003 FROM A PRIVATE PERSON. BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I PAID ~$200 TO A BMW DEALER AND GOT IT CHECKED FOR MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD ~ 53K MILES ON IT AND THEY SAID NO PROBLEMS. HENCE I WENT AND BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THIS PRIVATE OWNER. JUST AFTER 2 MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL BUSHINGS THAT COST ME ABOUT ~$500 AND AFTER ANOTHER 2 MONTHS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD. I PAID ABOUT $800 FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND PARTS. NOW JUST A FEW DAYS AGO THE CAR STOPPED DRIVING IN REVERSE. I HAV… Look up ODI 10086860 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10192220 · 74,000 mi BMW 2001 330CI. REVERSE GEAR FAILED AND INOPERABLE (ACTS LIKE NEUTRAL AND DOES NOT ENGAGE) ALLOWED VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN HILL BEFORE I (THE OPERATOR) NOTICED I WAS MOVING. COULD NOT USE ENGINE THROTTLE TO CONTROL SPEED AS IT WAS LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON 'NO SERVICE' AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TR Look up ODI 10192220 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10238968 · 116,000 mi I HAVE A 2001 BMW 330 CI WITH 116K MILES. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT INDICATED THAT SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG WITH THE CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4000. I WENT TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY CONSUMERS REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW BMW IS ADDRESSING THIS COMMON ISSUE AND IDENTIFY IF THERE ARE ANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. TR Look up ODI 10238968 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3,025–40,411 mi	5,550 mi	10	ODI 10373126 · 50,000 mi 2002 BMW 330CIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GEARS DO NOT ALWAYS SHIFT DOWN WHEN NEEDING TO STOP, OFTEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND CONTINUE AT THE SAME SPEED. TGW THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE VANOS UNIT WHICH CONTROLLED THE CAMSHAFT AND IS PART OF THE ENGINE. JB Look up ODI 10373126 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10054249 · 190 mi WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR BECAME IMMEDIATELY UN DRIVABLE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS IN THE CAR MISFIRED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, SENDING THE ENGINE INTO A COMPLETE UNBALANCE. CB Look up ODI 10054249 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062056 · 6,100 mi I HAVE A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 330CIC AND WHEN I PUT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AT A STOP THE ENGINE RPM WOULD DIP DRASTICALLY AND STALLS SEVERAL TIMES IN TRAFFIC. PERIODICALLY THE ENGINE RPM WOULD DIP SO RAPIDLY THAT THE ENGINE STALLS FROM IDLE POSITION. THIS CAN HAPPEN IN THE DRIVEWAY OR ON A ROAD AT AN 4-WAY LIGHT. BASICALLY ANYTIME THE ENGINE IS AT IDLE THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR STALLING. I EXPERIENCED STALLS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS WELL AS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT.AK Look up ODI 10062056 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	101,500–121,000 mi	112,342 mi	11	ODI 10317771 · 64,010 mi 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 RECAL… Look up ODI 10317771 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10332373 · 104,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10332373 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10370991 · 99,000 mi 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 AN… Look up ODI 10370991 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	142,965–168,726 mi	158,091 mi	8	ODI 10461105 · 143,323 mi WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY AT NEAR FREEWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A SUDDEN THUMP, THEN THE SOUND OF SOMETHING DRAGGING ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE CAR. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE 4 TINY SPOT WELDS AND EPOXY THAT FIXES THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP TO THE CAR HAD BROKEN FREE, ALLOWING THE TANK STRAP TO DRAG ON THE GROUND AND THE FUEL TANK TO COME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE ROAD SURFACE. I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK. JS Look up ODI 10461105 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10480842 · 150,000 mi I WENT OVER A SMALL SPEED BUMP WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKING LOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED HEARING THIS METALLIC RUBBING NOISE AS IF I WAS DRAGGING SOMETHING BEHIND A CAR. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE & FOUND A METAL STRIP HANGING & DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT RIGHT NEXT TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE METAL BRACE WAS APPARENTLY THERE TO RESTRAIN THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. THE FULLY LOADED FUEL TANK WAS HANGING UNDER THE CAR JUST INCHES ABOVE THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE SO I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A SHOP. THIS SEEMED VERY DAN… Look up ODI 10480842 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10644633 · 141,889 mi THE BRACKET HOLDING THE STRAP THAT SUPPORTS THE GAS TANK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AT THE WELDS, LEAVING THE GAS TANK HANGING AND THE STRAP DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. TR Look up ODI 10644633 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	108,500–158,177 mi	115,000 mi	6	ODI 10459867 · 95,300 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION, THE COOLING FAN WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. Look up ODI 10459867 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11023362 · 184,000 mi I BOUGHT A USED 2001 BMW 330CI 2DR COUPE ON THE DATE OF MAY 5TH 2017. I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS TIME. THE TAKATA AIR BAG WAS PRESENT IN THIS MODEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE WELL KNOWN OVERHEATING ISSUE CAME MY WAY. MY MODEL WOULD OVERHEAT AT THE POINT WHERE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL FAN WOULD NOT KICK IN TO AVOID OVERHEATING. ELECTRICAL STABILITY WAS AT LOST DUE TO THESE PRESENT ISSUES. ODDLY ENOUGH THE FAN WOULD ACTUALLY RUN IN REVERSE POLARITY PUSHING AIR OUT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IT SHOULD BE PULLING THE … Look up ODI 11023362 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11063908 · 170,903 mi THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS THAT WHERE INSTALLED IN MY BMW AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER DID NOT WORK PROPLERLY OR WHERE INSTALLED PROPERLY THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A WARRANTY TIME FRAME IT ONLY RAN 4,000 MORE MILES SINCE THEY DID A SERVICE ON IT MY CAR JUST STOPED WORKING IT WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK AND ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME OR AROUND IT COULD HAVE JUST STOPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT THANKFULLY I WAS AT A PARKING LOT I JUST WOULD LIKE THE BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BE MORE C… Look up ODI 11063908 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	1	None	ODI 11664996 · 10,000 mi 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 contacte… Look up ODI 11664996 at NHTSA ↗
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2005: 1 complaints · 2006: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	0	1	1
2006	1	2	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2005	33	0	0
2006	34	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Exterior Lighting	Electrical System	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline	Fuel/Propulsion System	Engine
Air Bags	—	0	1 ODI 11575204 My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled wit… Look up ODI 11575204 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 11023362 · 184,000 mi I BOUGHT A USED 2001 BMW 330CI 2DR COUPE ON THE DATE OF MAY 5TH 2017. I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS TIME. THE TAKATA AIR BAG WAS PRESENT IN THIS MODEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE WELL KNOWN OVERHEATING ISSUE CAME MY WAY. MY MODEL WOULD OVERHEAT AT THE POINT WHERE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL FAN WOULD NOT KICK IN TO AVOID OVERHEATING. ELECTRICAL STABILITY WAS AT LOST DUE TO THESE PRESENT ISSUES. ODDLY ENOUGH THE FAN WOULD ACTUALLY RUN IN REVERSE POLARITY PUSHING AIR OUT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IT SHOULD BE PULLING THE … Look up ODI 11023362 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	0	—	7 ODI 10447143 · 117,233 mi LEFT TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. INSPECTION FOUND BURNT GROUND WIRE AT WIRING CONNECTOR. REPLACEMENT OF GROUND WIRE, CONNECTOR AND BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED. TR Look up ODI 10447143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10500549 · 103,000 mi I WAS RECEIVING A INTERMITTENT LEFT TAIL LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR AND ASSUMED IT WAS A BULB THAT WAS GOING OUT. AFTER SOME TIME HAD PAST I RECEIVED A STEADY LEFT TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO REPLACE THE BULB I DISCOVERED THE BULBS WAS FINE AND FOUND THE WIRING/CONNECTOR IN THE TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER HAD A SHORT/MELTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM ON THE 2002-2005 BMW E46 3SERIES WHICH A TAIL LIGHT RECALL WAS ISSUED. TR Look up ODI 10500549 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10662219 · 133,000 mi MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST WEEK HAS AN TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE DASH. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE PART IT LOOKS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY HAVE DESCRIBED WITH THE GROUND WIRE BEING SCORCHED. I CONTACTED BMW NA BECAUSE OF THE SIMILAR RECALL ON OTHER BMW VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR AN 90 DOLLAR DIAGNOSIS. ONLY AFTER THAT WOULD THEY BE WILLING TO WEIGH IN IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR OR NOT. THIS IS NOT A GAMBLE THAT I'M REAL… Look up ODI 10662219 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 11575204 My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled wit… Look up ODI 11575204 at NHTSA ↗	7 ODI 10447143 · 117,233 mi LEFT TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. INSPECTION FOUND BURNT GROUND WIRE AT WIRING CONNECTOR. REPLACEMENT OF GROUND WIRE, CONNECTOR AND BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED. TR Look up ODI 10447143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10500549 · 103,000 mi I WAS RECEIVING A INTERMITTENT LEFT TAIL LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR AND ASSUMED IT WAS A BULB THAT WAS GOING OUT. AFTER SOME TIME HAD PAST I RECEIVED A STEADY LEFT TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO REPLACE THE BULB I DISCOVERED THE BULBS WAS FINE AND FOUND THE WIRING/CONNECTOR IN THE TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER HAD A SHORT/MELTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM ON THE 2002-2005 BMW E46 3SERIES WHICH A TAIL LIGHT RECALL WAS ISSUED. TR Look up ODI 10500549 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10662219 · 133,000 mi MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST WEEK HAS AN TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE DASH. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE PART IT LOOKS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY HAVE DESCRIBED WITH THE GROUND WIRE BEING SCORCHED. I CONTACTED BMW NA BECAUSE OF THE SIMILAR RECALL ON OTHER BMW VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR AN 90 DOLLAR DIAGNOSIS. ONLY AFTER THAT WOULD THEY BE WILLING TO WEIGH IN IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR OR NOT. THIS IS NOT A GAMBLE THAT I'M REAL… Look up ODI 10662219 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10463253 · 110,000 mi CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY. PARKED IN GARAGE AT 6:30PM. AT 7:20AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT A WHITE VAPOR/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILL OF THE BMW 330CI. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STARTED SINCE BEING PARKED THE EVENING BEFORE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHITE VAPOR TURNED INTO HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM BENEATH THE CAR AS IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AT THE FIRST NOTICE OF VAPOR AND FIREMEN ARRIVED 12 - 18 MIN. LATER, AT WHICH TI… Look up ODI 10463253 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 11063908 · 170,903 mi THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS THAT WHERE INSTALLED IN MY BMW AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER DID NOT WORK PROPLERLY OR WHERE INSTALLED PROPERLY THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A WARRANTY TIME FRAME IT ONLY RAN 4,000 MORE MILES SINCE THEY DID A SERVICE ON IT MY CAR JUST STOPED WORKING IT WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK AND ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME OR AROUND IT COULD HAVE JUST STOPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT THANKFULLY I WAS AT A PARKING LOT I JUST WOULD LIKE THE BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BE MORE C… Look up ODI 11063908 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	1 ODI 11023362 · 184,000 mi I BOUGHT A USED 2001 BMW 330CI 2DR COUPE ON THE DATE OF MAY 5TH 2017. I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS TIME. THE TAKATA AIR BAG WAS PRESENT IN THIS MODEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE WELL KNOWN OVERHEATING ISSUE CAME MY WAY. MY MODEL WOULD OVERHEAT AT THE POINT WHERE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL FAN WOULD NOT KICK IN TO AVOID OVERHEATING. ELECTRICAL STABILITY WAS AT LOST DUE TO THESE PRESENT ISSUES. ODDLY ENOUGH THE FAN WOULD ACTUALLY RUN IN REVERSE POLARITY PUSHING AIR OUT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IT SHOULD BE PULLING THE … Look up ODI 11023362 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10463253 · 110,000 mi CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY. PARKED IN GARAGE AT 6:30PM. AT 7:20AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT A WHITE VAPOR/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILL OF THE BMW 330CI. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STARTED SINCE BEING PARKED THE EVENING BEFORE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHITE VAPOR TURNED INTO HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM BENEATH THE CAR AS IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AT THE FIRST NOTICE OF VAPOR AND FIREMEN ARRIVED 12 - 18 MIN. LATER, AT WHICH TI… Look up ODI 10463253 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 11063908 · 170,903 mi THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS THAT WHERE INSTALLED IN MY BMW AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER DID NOT WORK PROPLERLY OR WHERE INSTALLED PROPERLY THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A WARRANTY TIME FRAME IT ONLY RAN 4,000 MORE MILES SINCE THEY DID A SERVICE ON IT MY CAR JUST STOPED WORKING IT WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK AND ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME OR AROUND IT COULD HAVE JUST STOPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT THANKFULLY I WAS AT A PARKING LOT I JUST WOULD LIKE THE BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BE MORE C… Look up ODI 11063908 at NHTSA ↗	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

8 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

16 mentions · 5.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 5,500 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10763237 · 120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AIR LOCK NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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ODI 8019717

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. (HAPPENS WEEKLY) THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SCC

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ODI 10197111 · 2,600 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY APPROX. 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR STALLED. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED CAR. I COULD ONLY DRIVE 30 MPH AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS ONLY 26,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1700.00 BUT THE WARRANTY WAS UP LAST YEAR. THERE WAS TSB ISSUED IN 2003. WHY WEREN'T THE OWNERS TOLD ABOUT THIS? *JB

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Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

13 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 79,000 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10266487 · 50,000 mi

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

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ODI 10375496 · 60,000 mi

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.…

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ODI 10443204 · 104,000 mi

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.

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Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

6 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 44,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10054806

RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM CAME LOOSE ON MY 2001 BMW 330CI. HAD COMPLAINED FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS TO DEALER (VOB BMW - ROCKVILLE, MD) CONCERNING ABNORMAL JERK OF CAR WHEN COMING TO STOP. DEALER INSISTED THAT CAR WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. FINALLY TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT BMW GARAGE (BMW EXCLUSERVICE - ROCKVILLE, MD), AND INFORMED THAT RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LOOSE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS POSSIBILITY RIGHT FRONT TIRE COULD COME OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED CONTROL ARMS WITH REDESIGNED 2004 MODEL YEAR CONTROL ARM. B…

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ODI 10160346 · 39,000 mi

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ODI 10373126 · 50,000 mi

2002 BMW 330CIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GEARS DO NOT ALWAYS SHIFT DOWN WHEN NEEDING TO STOP, OFTEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND CONTINUE AT THE SAME SPEED. *TGW THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE VANOS UNIT WHICH CONTROLLED THE CAMSHAFT AND IS PART OF THE ENGINE. *JB

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Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

6 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 77,631 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10086860 · 64,000 mi

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ODI 10315558 · 117,494 mi

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

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ODI 10067889 · 5,500 mi

2004 BMW 330CI 6 SPEED MANUAL - 3.0L INLINE 6 CYL. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM - IDLE BECOMES ERRATIC AND CAR STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX 6-8 TIMES OVER 8 MONTHS/5000 MILES. NORMALLY HAPPENS ON WARM DAYS AND AT A STOP LIGHT/STOP SIGN. IT ONCE HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING. DEALER HAS SEEN THE CAR 3+ TIMES AND UPDATED IDLE CONTROL VALVE, AND ENGINE SOFTWARE BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND DOESN'T THROW ANY COMPUTER FAULT CODES.*AK

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Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 68,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10447106 · 120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE PARTIALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE CONVERTIBLE MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

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ODI 10361797 · 17,000 mi

MBW 330CI 2005: ON 3/22/10, @ 3PM PACIFIC, MY BRAKE RESPONSE WENT FROM "GOOD STOP" TO "UNSAFE, BAD, "CRUISE-TO-STOP". I'VE HAD MY CAR INTO IRVINE BMW 5 TIMES SINCE THEN, AND "NOTHING WRONG" COULD BE FOUND. I CONTACTED BMW N.A. ABOUT ONGOING PROBLEM, WHEN I READ ABOUT THE "RECALL" JUST NOW REPORTED, ON THE 5 & 7 SERIES CARS. THE "PROBLEM DESCRIBED" AS THE REASON FOR THAT RECALL, IS WHAT I'VE COMPLAINED TO BMW SINCE 3/30/10! MY "COMPLAINT' TO THEM, AND THIS WEEK, BMW NA, WAS DESCRIBED TO THEM EACH TIME I VISITED, AND ON MY BMWNA CALL THIS WE…

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Matching rule

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 122,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10381165 · 122,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INSTERSTATE AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REQUIRED A NEW FUEL PUMP WHICH COST $1,135.13. PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM, THE GAS MILEAGE DECREASED ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TUNED UP BY THE SAME DEALER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 122,000 MILES. A REQUEST WAS MADE TO RETURN THE OLD PART. *TR

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Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 138,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10609995 · 138,000 mi

THREE OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS STARTED LEAKING AT THE BODY/WIRING TERMINALS. ONE INJECTOR WAS LEAKING ENOUGH TO WITNESS A FREQUENT DRIP (APPROXIMATELY ONE DROP/SECOND) FROM THE BODY, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE VISIBLY WET (HAVE VIDEO OF THIS, AS WELL). LEAK OCCURRED ANY TIME THE FUEL RAIL WAS PRESSURIZED OR THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SMELL OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE WHAT PROMPTED INSPECTION. ISSUE WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING ALL THREE LEAKY INJECTORS WITH NEW ONES (NO ISSUE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW). AM CONCERNED, NOT O…

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Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 120,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11066685 · 120,000 mi

THIS ISSUE IS WITH THE PISTON RINGS OF THE BMW M54 ENGINE. IT BURNS OIL AT A CRAZY RATE AND ONLY NOW ARE PEOPLE FINALLY FIGURING OUT THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. BMW LISTS SEVERAL OTHER FIXES FOR THE OIL BURNING ISSUE, BUT NONE OF THEM SOLVE THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE OWNER TO SEEK REPAIRS THAT DON'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. BMW STATES THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THE M54 ENGINE TO BURN UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS ENGINE IS IN MANY DIFFERENT BMW MODELS AND MANY OWNERS ARE EFFECTED. MY CAR NOW BURNS ABOUT 1 QUART FOR EVERY 500 MILES I DRIVE.…

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Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b