2001 BMW 330I
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 116
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2001
None on file
30% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 116 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 45 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 113 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2006 | 219 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
30% · 35 reportsMost commonly citing side/window and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 330XI. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, she heard a loud banging sound coming from underneath her vehicle without warning. Contact's rear left tire broke off from her car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-02-04
We were driving my 2001 BMW 330I the posted speed limit (70 MPH) in Missouri on hwy 57 northbound in the right-hand lane when suddenly, at mile marker 19, there was an explosion on the drivers side causing the driver to temporarily lose control of...
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-03-05
At around 5:30PM at the stop light of the bruckner blvd 138TH st exit. I step on the gas ...and at aroung 25 yards ran over a pot hole puncturing the right front tire, also the deploying the ride side and passenger head airbags.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-09
Also filed under Tires
Power train
21% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
Electrical system
13% · 15 reportsShow complaint excerpts
There is a current recall for 2002-2005 BMW (Various models) regarding the rear lights. We are experiencing the same problems in our 2001 330I.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-25
Also filed under Exterior lighting
Visibility
9% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing power window devices and controls and interior.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 330I. While driving approximately 50 MPH, smoke appeared from the air conditioning vents. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road where it burst into flames.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-04
Engine and engine cooling
8% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing fan and cooling system.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle overheated 2 days before it caughton fire. Vehicle was going 30 MPH when consumer smelled smoke pulling into driveway. Dealer has heard of problem, and looking at vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-06-27
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2000-12-22Wheels00V383000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant may have damaged the inner rim flange of the wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the five wheels for possible damage. If damage from the mounting machine is found on any wheel, all five wheels will be replaced.
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2001Complaint volume 116 complaints filed for this model year.
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2001-09-28Engine and engine cooling01V206000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began September 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
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2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078…
Remedy: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.
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2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014.
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2020-02-13Air bags20V018000 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...
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.
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2020-11-10Air bags19V853000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata.
Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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2021-07-12Air bags21V401000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI)...
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Date not on fileEngine and engine cooling02V138000 On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began September 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during September 2001 (See recall campaign 01V206).
Buy-smart checklist
2001 BMW 330I — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 35 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 24 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 15 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V138000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 00V383000 · Wheels
- Recall 01V206000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V853000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V401000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2001 BMW 330I reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 BMW 330I is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 330I?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 330I have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.