2003 BMW 330i lighting problems

The 2003 BMW 330i has 29 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 32% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Lighting complaints

32%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

330i lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

11V438000LightingAugust 26, 2011 · 241,000 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.

Consequence

INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 26, 2015 · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2003 BMW 330i have?

NHTSA has 29 complaints about the 2003 BMW 330i lighting — 32% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 BMW 330i lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 11V438000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.