The 2002 BMW 330XI has 3 recalls, the most serious being a defect in both the driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators where the inflator can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and causing serious injury or death.
These two airbag inflator recalls, which affect both sides of the vehicle, stem from the same Takata PSAN propellant issue and should be treated as a single critical concern: the airbags designed to protect occupants in a crash can instead become the source of injury. The third recall involves the rear lamp assembly, where electrical contact resistance can build up over time and cause one or more rear lights to stop working intermittently. This includes the tail light, brake light, and turn signal, any of which going dark reduces how visible the car is to drivers behind it and removes the signals other motorists rely on to anticipate braking or lane changes.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown of the propellant inside, which happens after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The dual-stage driver front air bag can allow moisture inside. Over time, moisture can cause the inflator to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driver air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electrical contacts in the rear lamps may develop resistance over time, causing tail lights, brake lights, or turn signals to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the rear lamp contacts at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
