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2001 BMW 330CI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 BMW 330CI do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 34.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

82 reports
120,000 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AIR LOCK NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AIR LOCK NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10763237

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10691545

133,000 miles · Dec 4, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST WEEK HAS AN TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE DASH. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE PART IT LOOKS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY HAVE DESCRIBED WITH THE GROUND WIRE BEING SCORCHED. I CONTACTED BMW NA BECAUSE OF THE SIMILAR RECALL ON OTHER BMW VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP UNLESS I WAS…

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MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST WEEK HAS AN TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE DASH. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE PART IT LOOKS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY HAVE DESCRIBED WITH THE GROUND WIRE BEING SCORCHED. I CONTACTED BMW NA BECAUSE OF THE SIMILAR RECALL ON OTHER BMW VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR AN 90 DOLLAR DIAGNOSIS. ONLY AFTER THAT WOULD THEY BE WILLING TO WEIGH IN IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR OR NOT. THIS IS NOT A GAMBLE THAT I'M REALLY WILLING TO TAKE. RECALL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09036 SHOULD BE EXTEND TO THE 2001 330CI BMWS. PLEASE OPEN A INVESTIGATION INTO THIS AS IT IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662219

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10651623

141,889 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

THE BRACKET HOLDING THE STRAP THAT SUPPORTS THE GAS TANK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AT THE WELDS, LEAVING THE GAS TANK HANGING AND THE STRAP DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644633

120,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK METAL STRAP/BRACE WELD CAME LOOSE CAUSING IT TO HANG FROM BOLT TOWARD REAR OF THE CAR LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596033

111,500 miles · May 17, 2014
Air Bags

ON FRIDAY, MAY 16TH, 2014, WHILE DRIVING ALONE APPROX 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET, I HIT A POTHOLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN MY WHEEL HIT THE POTHOLE AND AT THE SAME TIME AN EXTREMELY LOUD 'POP'. THE DOOR SIDE AIRBAG HIT MY ARM AND THE PLASTIC COVERING FROM THE CURTAIN AIRBAG ABOVE THE DRIV…

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ON FRIDAY, MAY 16TH, 2014, WHILE DRIVING ALONE APPROX 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET, I HIT A POTHOLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN MY WHEEL HIT THE POTHOLE AND AT THE SAME TIME AN EXTREMELY LOUD 'POP'. THE DOOR SIDE AIRBAG HIT MY ARM AND THE PLASTIC COVERING FROM THE CURTAIN AIRBAG ABOVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HIT THE SIDE OF MY FACE BUT I WAS NOT INJURED. I SMELLED A 'SMOKEY' SMELL AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY SHUT ITSELF OFF. I HAVE HIT POTHOLES ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN I CAN'T AVOID THEM, BUT I WOULD NEVER HAVE EXPECTED MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND A COSTLY ONE FOR THE CONSUMER, BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN AN COLLISION AND THE IMPACT OF THE POTHOLE SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592081

119,606 miles · Jan 14, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE IS A METAL STRAP THAT RUNS UNDER THE RIGHT GAS TANK AND HOLDS THE GAS TANK TO THE CAR. ONE END IS BOLTED. THE OTHER END IS HOOKED TO A BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY THE 4 WELDS ON THE BRACKET FAILED. THE COMPLETE STRAP AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. THIS MA…

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THERE IS A METAL STRAP THAT RUNS UNDER THE RIGHT GAS TANK AND HOLDS THE GAS TANK TO THE CAR. ONE END IS BOLTED. THE OTHER END IS HOOKED TO A BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY THE 4 WELDS ON THE BRACKET FAILED. THE COMPLETE STRAP AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. THIS MADE A GROWLING NOISE SO LOUD THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER, GET UNDER THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE RIGHT GAS TANK WAS NOW DANGLING FROM THE CAR. THIS BRACKET FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THE SAME CAR: HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=669079. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND PAY ALL AFFECTED PARTIES FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FLAW IN THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559858

170,000 miles · Nov 14, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

ARRIVING TO MY HOUSE DRIVEWAY I STARTED TO HEAR A METAL SOUND AGAINST THE PAVEMENT. IMMEDIATELY I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE THERE WAS A METAL STRAP THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK HANGING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552187

75,600 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Structure

DOOR RELAY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAUSES DOOR TO BE INOPERABLE, CLOSED AND LOCKED. POTENTIALLY DEADLY IF TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520753

Official recalls

5

21V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 27, 2021

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. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

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.

20V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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 inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

19V853000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Nov 26, 2019

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. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

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.

02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

May 16, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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). 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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Jun 21, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.