2001 BMW 330I

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2001 BMW 330I
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:46:47.811Z

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.

How is this computed?

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	41
2018	32
2019	41
2020	52
2021	29
2022	6
2023	4
2024	5
2025	4
2026	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 30%

30% of complaints: air bags — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20200204

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, 20090305

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020109

Also filed under TIRES

POWER TRAIN 21%

21% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

Show 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, 20120425

Also filed under EXTERIOR LIGHTING

VISIBILITY 9%

9% of complaints: visibility — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and interior.

FIRE

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, 20171204

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fan and cooling system.

FIRE

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20010627

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20001222 — wheels

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.

Campaign 00V383000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2001 — complaint volume: 116

R 20010928 — engine and engine cooling

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 CIRC

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 REMEDY

Campaign 01V206000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 SOLD

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.

Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141201 — air bags

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.

Campaign 14V428000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200213 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V018000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201110 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V853000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210712 — air bags

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.

Campaign 21V401000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — engine and engine cooling

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).

Campaign 02V138000 — check if this car was fixed