Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 BMW 330ci owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
"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!
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 are suffering from. There were no serious injuries. Damage to the BMW involved the front bumper, hood, and other damage to radiator for a total of about 4300. I will be checking with BMW as to what speed should the air bags deploy.
There are 2 open recalls for airbags. BMW refuses to order parts (even though they sent me a letter) unless I bring the car to a dealer (130 miles round trip) for a 5 minute "inspection". They will then order the parts and I will have to return again (another 130 mile round trip) to have the work done. They are nice enough to offer a rental car at $35 a day but can't tell me how long it will take. I believe that BMW is intentionally creating this "inspection" obstacle requiring 2 trips to discourage people from having the work done. Shameful.
I brought this vehicle in for the national recall. When I received the car back, the air bag was on for the first time. This dealer refused to fix it. I brought it to another location, which fields also owns, and they wanted to charge me to diagnose this after they screwed it up. What a racket. It specifically states the owner not be charged for this repair.
Tl* 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 was concerned about the timeframe of the recall repair and wanted the issue resolved as soon as possible. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
I received a notice from BMW over a year ago that I would receive a recall notice for defective air bags in this vehicle and would be notified when and where to take it for replacement. To date I have heard nothing back from BMW. I contacted my local dealer, they said they know nothing about such a recall.
The car is subject to two recalls. I have been calling BMW for over a year trying to resolve this issues. BMW says no parts are available for the July 2015 recall 15V318 unless I bring the car for inspection. Makes no sense. BMW has also been obstructionist on the 2014 recall 14V426. I live 60 miles away from the dealer. 1. They refuse to order parts for the drivers side airbag recall unless I come in for a 5 minute "inspection" first (120 miles round trip). 2. Only after the inspection, they will order parts; this requests a second trip (120 miles) because repairs can take up to 6 hours and they can't guarantee when parts for both recalls will be ready 3. They refuse to provide a loaner car or a definite time frame for the repairs and suggest I rent a car for up to a week. …
Spontaneous deployment of the driver-side airbag. No pot hole; no collision. Spontaneous deployment. OnStar (or BMW equivalent) acknowledged deployment. Asked if I needed an ambulance or tow truck. I felt like I was "shot" through the driver's door. Vehicle became "disabled". It started right up and I continued to my destination. When bringing the vehicle to BMW with my story, they told me I must have been in an accident (no obvious damage); then they said, I must have hit a "pot hole" (smooth street of occurrence); then they said my car must have gone "airborne" ???? My concern is the other airbags: concern for spontaneous deployment. I am glad it was me (male) driving. If my wife would have been driving, I don't know what would have happened. No other damage or incident at that time. …
Related recalls
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…
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 › 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…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Airbag complaints in other 330ci years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 BMW 330ci?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 BMW 330ci, 40% of the model year's 77 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 BMW 330ci airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-018 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 15V-318 (inflator module, May 28, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 330ci airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.