NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
116 reports40,300 miles · May 3, 2010
Structure
BROKEN WELDS ON FUEL TANK STRAP BRACKET ON PASSENGER SIDE. CAUSED BRACKET TO FALL OFF AND GAS TANK TO HANG LOW TO AN UNSAFE HEIGHT FROM THE GROUND. DANGEROUS TO AN UNKNOWING DRIVER WHO IS NOT AWARE OF THE TRUE DANGER OF THIS FAILURE. THIS IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN ON THIS '01 BMW 3 SERIES FROM THREAD BELOW. HTTP://FORUM.E46FAN…
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BROKEN WELDS ON FUEL TANK STRAP BRACKET ON PASSENGER SIDE. CAUSED BRACKET TO FALL OFF AND GAS TANK TO HANG LOW TO AN UNSAFE HEIGHT FROM THE GROUND. DANGEROUS TO AN UNKNOWING DRIVER WHO IS NOT AWARE OF THE TRUE DANGER OF THIS FAILURE. THIS IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN ON THIS '01 BMW 3 SERIES FROM THREAD BELOW. HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=669079&HIGHLIGHT=GAS+TANK+BRACKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328671
60,000 miles · Apr 9, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
BMW 2001 330I SEDAN (4 DOORS). DOOR LOCKS ARE UNRESPONSIVE DURING HOT DAYS. I LIVE IN ORLANDO FLORIDA AND THIS MEANS ALMOST ALL THE YEAR IS HOT. THIS IS A CRITICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE FOR SAFETY REASONS YOU WILL GET LOCKED IN YOUR CAR. I AM IMAGINE IF YOU HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO LEAVE THE CAR?…
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BMW 2001 330I SEDAN (4 DOORS). DOOR LOCKS ARE UNRESPONSIVE DURING HOT DAYS. I LIVE IN ORLANDO FLORIDA AND THIS MEANS ALMOST ALL THE YEAR IS HOT. THIS IS A CRITICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE FOR SAFETY REASONS YOU WILL GET LOCKED IN YOUR CAR. I AM IMAGINE IF YOU HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO LEAVE THE CAR? ONLINE (HTTP://WWW.BMWGM5.COM/) YOU CAN FINE HOW BMW CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE GUY ON THAT WEBSITE HAS A FIX FOR THAT ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN 50 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. BMW SHOULD DO A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324638
145,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Power Train
BMW 330I TRANSMISSIONS REVERSE WENT OUT CHECKING INTERNET SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WAS COMING HOME PUT AUTO IN REVERSE TO PARK IN DRIVE NO REVERSE OUT OF THE BLUE NEED YOUR HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302212
158,700 miles · Sep 30, 2009
Power Train
WHILE BACKING UP, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF REVERSE AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. REVERSE COULD NO LONGER BE ENGAGED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REMOVED AND EXAMINED. THE REVERSE CLUTCH DRUM HAD SHEARED AND PHYSICALLY FAILED. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD REQUIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285882
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP WAS DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP WAS DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK STRAP. THE TECHNICIAN WELDED THE FUEL TANK STRAP IN PLACE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10285003
86,530 miles · Aug 2, 2009
Power Train
2001 330I BMW ,81000 MILES NO WARNING LOST REVERSE, WHILE ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE,ALMOST HIT THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME, HAD TO HAVE 3 VALET GUYS PUSH ME INTO THE PARKING SPACE. *TR THEN THE NEXT DAY MY HUSBAND TOOK IT OUT AT FIRST IT WENT INTO REVERSE SO HE DROVE IT PARKED TRIED TO BACK UP TH…
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2001 330I BMW ,81000 MILES NO WARNING LOST REVERSE, WHILE ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE,ALMOST HIT THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME, HAD TO HAVE 3 VALET GUYS PUSH ME INTO THE PARKING SPACE. *TR THEN THE NEXT DAY MY HUSBAND TOOK IT OUT AT FIRST IT WENT INTO REVERSE SO HE DROVE IT PARKED TRIED TO BACK UP THE CAR NO REVERSE, SOMEONE PUSHED THE CAR BACK FOR HIM IT HIT ANOTHER CAR AND DAMAGED THE HEADLIGHT AND DENTED IT.
NHTSA ODI #10279095
115,000 miles · Jul 21, 2009
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS LOCATED 70 MILES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10277635
61,000 miles · Jul 11, 2009
Unknown Or Other
WINDOWS WILL NOT FUNCTION, NEITHER UP NOR DOWN. THE REGULATORS PLASTIC FAILS PREMATURELY DUE TO FATIGUE. THIS OCCURS ON MOST 3SERIES AND 5SERIES.
NHTSA ODI #10276417
45,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
UNABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK CAR DOORS. DEALER STATES THE GMV COMPUTER MODULE HAS FAILED AND THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE TO ALLOW DOORS TO BE OPENED. THIS SITUATION PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL PASSENGERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275630
119,800 miles · Jun 13, 2009
Power Train
I HAVE A BMW 2001 3330I. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR, PURCHASED USED WITH 106,000 MILES. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE REVERSE GEAR DISENGAGED. THE REVERSE GEAR HAS NOT WORKED SINCE, APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE OTHER GEARS WORK FINE. THE CAR HAS AN A…
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I HAVE A BMW 2001 3330I. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR, PURCHASED USED WITH 106,000 MILES. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE REVERSE GEAR DISENGAGED. THE REVERSE GEAR HAS NOT WORKED SINCE, APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE OTHER GEARS WORK FINE. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273688
Official recalls
7May 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.
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.
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.
Jun 11, 2018
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 convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
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.
Nov 20, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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