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 2005 BMW 330ci owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the glove compartment that contained the air bag failed to open. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,360. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V018000(air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to hendrick BMW (6950 e independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28227, [phone]) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall four months ago I received a written notice from BMW USA that my driver side front airbag needed to be replaced (recall campaign no. 15v-318), but that parts were not yet available. Over four months have passed and I have heard nothing further on this recall from BMW USA or my local dealership. The original notice that I received indicated that I could notify NHTSA if this matter was not resolved within a reasonable period of time. I am doing so with this message and asking what recourse I have in getting this matter addressed?
Takata recall hello, I received a recall notice in the mail for my vehicle. As I checked the NHTSA system, it stated that both passenger and driver airbag system needed a recall. Takata has a settlement open for my vehicle. Please inform me on the next step to take to handle this situation, before the worst could happen. Thank,you for your help. Please contact me at [phone]. Sincerely, [redacted]
The side impact air bag deployed for what seemed like no apparent reason while driving home from work on feb 14th 2010 at approximately 2320 hours. I managed to keep the car under control and made it to the side of the road. I inspected the vehicle and nothing struck it and there was no tire damage. I restarted the car and drove home and contacted BMW north America about the problem and they said they were going to cover the oct of the repairs even though the vehicle is out of warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags) and stated that the parts were not available for months. The dealer did not provide a specific date for when the parts and the remedy would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V428000 (air bags) 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 notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl contact owns a 2005 BMW 330ci the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags) however, the part needed to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact had not experience the failure. Updated 4/20/15 updated 06/18/19.
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 2005 BMW 330ci?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 BMW 330ci, 61% of the model year's 33 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 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 2005 BMW 330ci airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 132,000 miles.
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.