2003 BMW 330i Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  18%
• 25k–50k
  18%
• 50k–75k
  215%
• 75k–100k
  18%
• 100k–150k
  431%
• 150k+
  431%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 BMW 330i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Takata recall I was involved in a traffic accident on 05/05/2017. I was hit by another vehicle on the passenger side of my vehicle while I was making a left hand turn. I was hit so hard that I was driven into an automobile that was waiting at the traffic light to make a turn. Both sides of my automobile were damaged. The windshield on the passenger side was broken. The air bags did not deploy. I had taken the automobile to the dealer when I received the air bag recall approximately one year ago.

The car was being driven by my house and the transmision started slipping as well as it catching and breaking one of the axles leaving the car to be stuck not being able to move period surely the most important thing this resulted in the car getting hit and the fuel tank exploding my aunt want not able to make it out of the car to get out of the way and again this car didn't allow the air bags to deploy the location is unkown

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 11V438000 (exterior lighting), 14V428000 (air bags), and 15V318000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the turn signal on the driver's side malfunctioned by blinking intermittently while in use. The contact called the hixson BMW and walker BMW dealers who both stated that the parts were not available for the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Hi I have two BMW's that qualify for this recall. I learned about it 6 weeks ago. My fianc and I havnt been able to use our vehicles in almost 2 months! I even called and went to the BMW of and they said they would order the air bag for the one and our second car they would write the order up when I left the dealership . Needless to say I even brought over a dealership memo from BMW because I work in the auto industry and have acesss to identifix.com, I showed them the notice where they have to give customers loaner vehicles or pay up to $68 a day for a rental car. They keep ignoring my calls.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 330i. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver side air bag inadvertently deployed. The contact panicked and crashed sideways into a concrete median. The contact sustained back injuries which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working up to standards and was unable to provide further assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330i. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V318000 (air bags). 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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 3301. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags); however, the part to repair the vehicle 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 failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

BMW issued recall 13v-172000 in May 2013 and expanded to recall 14v-428000 in September 2014 to include my vehicle. In their letter to NHTSA with regards to recall 14v-428000 they noted they should have enough parts to perform the recall in October 2014. An update to the recall notice on the NHTSA site states "a second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014", however I have not received such notice and when I contacted BMW they stated on 12/15/14 "due to a high demand for parts, we are experiencing shipment delays but do anticipate receiving an increase in inventory supply over the next few months". They will not provide a date when they estimate the repair will be done. The recall notes that in a collision, the passenger side airbag inflator could rupture and metal fragments could seriously injure a passenger. …

Takata recall. I have been in contact with BMW north America & my local dealer for well over 1 year on my driver's side airbag recall (after a multi year delay to get the passenger side replaced), but still do not have any idea of when they will fix the problem. Most recently, BMW [redacted] told me "remedy is available" in writing. I have called the local dealer & left messages 3 times, but the service department will not call me back. The secretary for the service department told me while leaving a message I needed to come to the dealer to order the recalled part. I asked how this could be correct. I really need to go to the dealership to order a part for a recalled item? BMW [redacted] now will not return my emails. I have asked multiple times to simply disconnect the potentially deadly airbag until a replacement is available, but they will not. …

Takata recall - it's been over 6 months since the Takata recall was expanded to the driver's side on my car & there's still no estimate of when the replacement part will be available. I believe it's over a year & a half since the passenger airbag recall began. The company refuses to simply disconnect the potentially deadly airbag. Note, autos have not had airbags much longer than they have had them - and mine is potentially deadly. I have asked for a "loaner car" but have not yet heard their response. To me, no action without a timeline to fix this potentially deadly problem is ridiculous and completely unacceptable. I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you, [redacted]

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other 330i years