2021 BMW 330i Ticking Noise from Driver's Footwell TSB
BMW has issued a manufacturer communication (NHTSA ID 10182610) regarding a ticking noise from the driver's footwell in 2021 BMW 3 Series and 4 Series models. This noise occurs during light braking while coasting with the engine off, specifically when the pedal is slightly pressed without…
Also applies to
- BMW 330e
- 2021
- BMW 430i
- 2021
- BMW M340i
- 2021
- BMW M440i
- 2021
Owners of certain 2021 BMW 3 Series and 4 Series models may notice a distinct ticking noise originating from the driver's footwell. This issue, specifically affecting the 2021 BMW 330i, is detailed in NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10182610. This 2021 BMW 330i manufacturer_communication provides guidance for addressing this specific concern.
Symptoms
The primary symptom is a ticking sound emanating from the driver's footwell. This noise is typically heard during light braking while the vehicle is coasting with the engine off. It occurs when the brake pedal is slightly pressed with minimum force, specifically without the brake light being activated. The OEM fault label for this condition is "TICKING NOISE FROM DRIVERS FOOTWELL DURING LIGHT BRAKING WHILE COASTING."
Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions
This ticking noise is specifically triggered under certain conditions related to the vehicle's SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, and ENGINE components. The noise is reproducible when the vehicle is coasting with the engine off, and the brake pedal is lightly engaged. The key diagnostic condition is that the brake lights are not yet activated, indicating a very light application of the brake pedal.
Owner Action
If you are experiencing a ticking noise from your driver's footwell under these specific conditions, it is advisable to contact your authorized BMW service center. Reference NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10182610 when discussing the issue. This 2021 BMW 330i manufacturer_communication indicates that BMW has identified and is addressing this concern.
Source: NHTSA ID 10182610
What BMW 330i owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 16 model years.
- 818
- Owner complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 863
- Service bulletins
- 30
- Crashes reported
- 38
- Fires reported
- 36
- Injuries reported
The 2021 model year
29 complaints, the 10th most of 16 model years on file. Owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury for this year, which also has 7 recalls on file.
Service Brakes and Electrical System and Engine, the system this article covers, accounts for 219 of 818 complaints (27%), including 19 for 2021.
Complaints by model year
| 2001 | 116 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 45 | |
| 2003 | 77 | |
| 2004 | 113 | |
| 2006 | 219 | |
| 2017 | 42 | |
| 2018 | 32 | |
| 2019 | 41 | |
| 2020 | 53 | |
| 2021 | 29 |
Most-reported systems
- Air Bags — 246
- Exterior Lighting — 153
- Electrical System — 132
- Engine — 89
- Power Train — 44
Latest recalls for the 2021 model year
- 26V056000 — Electrical System (Jan 2026)
- 25V636000 — Electrical System (Sep 2025) — Park outside
- 23V584000 — Electrical System (Aug 2023)
Recent owner reports about service brakes and electrical system and engine
25V-636 This has been unresolved for 6 months with no sign of a fix. It’s a starter motor, not the space shuttle.
Read owner complaints →I am submitting a claim pertaining to NHTSA Recall Number 25V636000 which pertains to a engine starter issue that can result in fire. This recall was reported first on September 23, 2025 and has been gone without a remedy.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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