Most common 2001 BMW 330i problems
Share of the 116 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 330i complaints by model year
Best 330i years: 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2020, 2021, 2018, 2019. Compare all years →
2001 BMW 330i recalls (7)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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) manufactured by Takata.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair.
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.
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 Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and…
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
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).
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
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 circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
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 within a reasonable…
Show 1 more recall
Wheels › Rim
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.
What 2001 BMW 330i owners say
Air bags all 35 →
Hi, my name is [redacted] and the owner of the 2001 BMW mentioned with the VIN number above. My airbag deployed for no reason as I was driving with my mother in the car on Tuesday the 26th of November around 5:30 p.m.. , the airbag deployed for no reason at all I was doing the speed limit, driving with the flow of traffic on Paramount Boulevard in the city of Paramount or borderline Downey I'm not sure in California. There was no accidents all the car did not hit any other cars or anything while this incident occurred. I me and my mom really lucky to be alive. Although the injuries from the incident was in catastrophe however we do have a lot of small injuries and side effects that seems to be developing more as time goes by. The seriousness of this incident is at a very high level as it could have caused it for both of us or one of us. …
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. The contact immediately lost control of her vehicle and veered to left side of the road. The contact hit another vehicle and spun out in the middle of the road. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Upon a VIN search, there were two recalls NHTSA recall number: 17V047000 and 20V018000(air bags) on her vehicle at the time of the accident. The contact stated that she sustained whiplash as a result of the accident; the other driver did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed [redacted]. Axle was broken. The vehicle was totaled and towed to a junk yard. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 23 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 330i. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the reverse gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
On Monday May 3rd, 2010, I started my 2001 BMW 330i and selected the reverse gear on the automatic transmission, the car did not move in the reverse gear, it drives forward with no problems. I have read some of the complaints and postings on the web. Is there a class action suit filed against BMW as it seems the transmission was not designed properly and substandard specifications were used in the design and construction of the components of the transmission, a manufacture defect. I have been able to schedule an appointment for the car to be inspected and repaired on Monday May 17th , 2010 I am sure the cost and extent will be evident at that time. As I have been informed the most common problem with the reverse is failure of the d clutch drum , because the snap ring comes off of the drum , after that what happens is different on each transmission. …
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330I. The contact stated that an indicator light had appeared on the instrument panel indicating that the rear taillights were inoperable. Upon investigation, the contact discovered a service bulletin (SIB630611) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was then notified of the service bulletin and the dealer informed him that his vehicle was not manufactured during the eligible period for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and gave the contact the same information as the dealer; he was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Vehicle window regulators had to be replaced for passenger and drivers windows (regulators were cheap). Driver side door lock failed. Passenger door locks failing. Passenger headlight fell out. Rear brake lights need constant repair. If one completely fills up the gas tank, gas fumes will be in the passenger compartment. Air conditioning fan needed replacement. Water pump failed. Instrument panel needed replacement.
2001 BMW 330i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW 330i a good car?
Based on 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 330i rates avoid: 30.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the 330i at the same age. It is one of the 330i years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 330i?
The air bags — 35 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (23) and electrical system (15).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 330i have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2001 BMW 330i, the most recent from May 27, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 330i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2020, 2021, 2018 and 2019. See the full BMW 330i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 BMW 330i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 91,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.