The 2001 BMW 330i has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,025,584 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS21V4010002021-05-274,511 affected
Defect
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…
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.
AIR BAGS20V0180002020-01-15292,948 affected
Defect
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…
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.
AIR BAGS19V8530002019-11-2674,185 affected
Defect
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…
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.
AIR BAGS14V4280002018-06-11574,007 affected
Defect
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,…
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,…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING02V1380002002-05-161,550 affected
Defect
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
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…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING01V2060002001-06-2176,469 affected
Defect
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
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.
WHEELS00V3830002000-11-201,914 affected
Defect
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
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
20
1crashes3injuries
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
17
2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
15
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
15
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
1fires
POWER TRAIN
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
STRUCTURE:BODY
4
Total complaints159
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2001 bmw 330i. The contact stated that while attempting to drive into the driveway, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal however, the accelerator was inadvertently depressed. The engine revved up while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light…”
“The bracket welds on the front of the right side fuel tank support strap pulled out while on the highway, leaving the fuel tank supported by only one strap. The bracket pulled right out of the sheet metal, leaving two holes where it was previously spot welded to. The support strap itself was…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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 stainless steel strap that supports the fuel tank came off of my vehicle yesterday while driving on the highway. The strap is spot welded at 4 points on the front. The spot welds failed, leaving the strap dragging behind my car at highway speeds. As a result, the fuel tank itself is sagging…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 330i. The contact stated that only the drivers side doors would open from inside or outside the vehicle using the key fob. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW 330i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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