Most common 2001 BMW 330xi problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 330xi complaints by model year
Best 330xi years: 2000, 2007, 2008. Years to avoid: 2006. Compare all years →
2001 BMW 330xi recalls (5)
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
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…
What 2001 BMW 330xi owners say
Engine & cooling
Car had not been driven all day until evening when I drove car 4-5 miles to one residence, continued with passenger for another few miles to another residence, parked and turned off the car. Remained in car briefly while finishing a conversation when noticed gray/white smoke coming from under hood on passenger side of car. Got out of vehicle, called for help from resident. When use of 2 personal extinguishers didn't help, called fire department who responded and put out the fire. Fire department report notes engine compartment was fully involved when they arrived and appears fire started in right front corner, but unable to make fire cause determination due to heavy fire involvement. Insurance company has declared it a total loss.
The expansion tank on our 2001 BMW 330xi split causing the engine to fail. The vehicle had less than 48,000 miles of use. We replaced the engine and many related parts including the expansion tank and radiator. No warning lights came on until after the engine overheated and the car was in the dealer's repair shop. We believe this failure is close to, but not the same as, the fan failure that you reported on May 16, 2002.
2001 BMW 330xi engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW 330xi a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 330xi rates average: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the 330xi at the same age. 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 330xi?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the wheels & tires (2) and body & structure (2).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 330xi have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2001 BMW 330xi, 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 330xi?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000, 2007 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006. See the full BMW 330xi years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 BMW 330xi problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 88,000 miles; 33% 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.