BMW 330i Complaints (2001)

116 consumer complaints on file.

#11713825January 28, 2026
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
-My infrastructure system management has been affected overtime—which covers electronic control units (ECUs), software, and network architecture—are driven by the need to manage increasing system complexity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and electronic malfunctions. -My De-icing fluid management system-Has been affected by potential engine damage, reduced structural integrity, and risk of in-flight failure due to overheating. -My vehicle has been affected sense March 3, 2025 - Major Terminal Outage: A massive power outage, traced to a fire and downed power line near the airport, I [XXX] [XXX] believe my Power failures and component-level are faulty… -My vehicles brake lines are not meeting specifications, which could cause leaks & affect the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), increasing the risk of a crash god forbid… I [XXX] [XXX] believe my brake system is faulty. -My Takata driver-side airbag inflators has been affected that can explode upon deployment, spraying metal shrapnel and causing severe injury or death, (Models affected)~2000-2015 series with urgent "Do Not Drive" warnings requiring free, immediate dealer replacement required by (NHSTA)… I [XXX] [XXX] believe my Takata system is faulty. -My water pump system is electrical connector, authorized by NHTSA. Insufficient sealing allows fluid ingress, posing a short circuit and fire risk to prevent hazards… in conclusion, there has been several major BMW safety recall been mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Remedy plan must be completed within 5 days & I would like a copy of reports via email for my lawyer to review my vehicles standards. In conclusion, I need an evaluation appointment & determination assessment asap due to moving after Valentine’s Day to prevent serious safety issues on my journey to Florida. I’m currently 15min from 6312 Aaron Ln Clinton,Md closest & more convenient service center. Thanks for your understanding! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678561August 5, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 illuminated. The contact shifted into park to stop the vehicle and then engaged the parking brake after stopping the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457351March 18, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 hanging off its rear mount, dragging behind the car and potentially sparking. This was extremely dangerous, as the tank had just been filled, and if the tank had began to leak, the support strap may have sparked a fire. There was no symptom or warning sign of the impending failure. There are many reports of this issue from other BMW E46 owners. Fuel tanks should not separate from the car under normal driving conditions. The car has been in southern California its entire life, and there is zero evidence of rust or poor maintenance. Records of the car's maintenance history have been meticulously maintained. This is DANGEROUS and has been reported many times. Please make BMW own up to this poor design and potentially save someone's life.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456992March 16, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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 notified of the service bulletin and the dealer informed him that his vehicle was not manufactured during the eligible period for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and gave the contact the same information as the dealer; he was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441929November 29, 2021
AIR BAGS
Hi, my name is [XXX] and the owner of the 2001 BMW mentioned with the VIN number above. My airbag deployed for no reason as I was driving with my mother in the car on Tuesday the 26th of November around 5:30 p.m.. , the airbag deployed for no reason at all I was doing the speed limit, driving with the flow of traffic on Paramount Boulevard in the city of Paramount or borderline Downey I'm not sure in California. There was no accidents all the car did not hit any other cars or anything while this incident occurred. I me and my mom really lucky to be alive. Although the injuries from the incident was in catastrophe however we do have a lot of small injuries and side effects that seems to be developing more as time goes by. The seriousness of this incident is at a very high level as it could have caused it for both of us or one of us. I was in shock Mordor though I just dropped the car when it exploded I'm referring to the airbag I was driving and suddenly I feel something should pass my left side touching my ear and my shoulder and exploited almost in my face on my left side. I thought a bomb exploded or someone tried to shoot at my car I did not know what happened until I got my thoughts together and I just asked your mom if she was okay glasses had fell off and she was in a very bad shock more my mother is 74 years old and he did not have to go through this traumatic experience. It was very traumatic for both of us and it took a while for us both to realize and figure out what happened. All we knew there was a big explosion and something on my left side was there that I have never seen before. Keeping in mind that I have never been in this airbag situation before it really was confusing and I had no idea what it was in the beginning or we could smell was strong gas I believe it is nitrogen that deploys from the airbag and there was debris every way. There is a lot of injuries and side effects caused by this & I need help. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11307020February 4, 2020
AIR BAGS, SUSPENSION
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 ROAD. THE CONTACT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SPUN OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. UPON A VIN SEARCH, THERE WERE TWO RECALLS NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 17V047000 AND 20V018000(AIR BAGS) ON HER VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT; THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED [XXX]. AXLE WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. *LN ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11161006December 12, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *TT*JB CONSUMER STATED FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11119568August 13, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 ABOUT 4" FROM THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD. THE SPOT WELDS DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY SUPPORT THIS STRAP - THIS SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MORE ROBUST MOUNTING POINTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED DURING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11052226December 4, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11024732September 20, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WINDOW REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR PASSENGER AND DRIVERS WINDOWS (REGULATORS WERE CHEAP). DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED. PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILING. PASSENGER HEADLIGHT FELL OUT. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NEED CONSTANT REPAIR. IF ONE COMPLETELY FILLS UP THE GAS TANK, GAS FUMES WILL BE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AIR CONDITIONING FAN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WATER PUMP FAILED. INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11021353September 4, 2017
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I CALLED 1 877 432 7841. AFTER EXPLAINING THAT I LIVED HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM THE NEAREST BMW DEALER, I WAS TOLD BY THE PHONE REP THAT MY CASE WOULD BE ACCELERATED AND THAT I WOULD BE HEARING BACK BY PHONE. I WAITED DAYS, BUT NO ONE EVER CALLED ME. I THEN CALLED 1-800-831-1117. I GOT BOUNCED AROUND AND WAS FINALLY CONNECTED WITH A BMW DEALER IN IDAHO FALLS, ALMOST 500 MILES FROM MY HOME IN ROSEBUD, MONTANA. THE PERSON WHO SPOKE TO ME WAS VERY YOUNG, HAD A POOR ATTITUDE, AND WANTED TO ORDER ME AROUND. SHE IGNORED ALL MY PLEAS. I AM 65 YEARS OLD AND DRIVE HUNDREDS OF MILES PER WEEK FOR MY USDA JOB. I THUS DO NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL STAMINA OR TIME TO DRIVE TO IDAHO FALLS. NEVERTHELESS SHE TOLD ME I HAD TO DRIVE TO IDAHO FALLS FOR A SATURDAY APPOINTMENT. SHE INFORMED ME THAT ANY EXPENSES I INCURRED (GASOLINE, LODGING, ETC.) HAD TO COME OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND THAT I WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED. I BEGGED HER TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS SENT TO A MECHANIC OR BODY SHOP NEAR ME IN MONTANA. SHE REFUSED. I ENDED THE CONVERSATION AND SENT AN SOS EMAIL TO THE DOT. THE DOT HAS NEVER ANSWERED MY EMAIL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11021363September 4, 2017
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE COMPLAINT I SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY, # 11021353. I BOUGHT MY BMW FROM THE SHARPEST RIDES CAR DEALERSHIP OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO. THE DATE OF SALE WAS APRIL 10, 2015. BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL I READ THE FLYERS THE NHTSA SENT TO MY POST OFFICE BOX IN 2017 THAT I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. THE NHTSA WEBSITE CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TWO MANUFACTURER RECALLS ON MY BMW. THE FIRST RECALL WAS JULY 15, 2014, WELL BEFORE I BOUGHT MY BMW FROM THE SHARPEST RIDES ON APRIL 10, 2015. WHILE NEGOTITATING THE PURCHASE OF MY BMW, I HAD NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS, AND EXCHANGED MYRIAD EMAILS, WITH SHARPEST RIDES PERSONNEL. NO ONE AT THE SHARPEST RIDES EVER WARNED ME OF A DANGEROUS AIRBAG. NO ONE AT THE SHARPEST RIDES EVER WARNED ME OF AN UNSAFE, HAZARDOUS CONDITION IN MY CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10981301April 28, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE, BUT INDICATED THAT IT COULD BE FOUR MONTHS OR LONGER. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10972307April 13, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH THE LIGHT BULB AND OBSERVED A BURN HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT THROUGH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 208,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10968327March 24, 2017
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS), 13V172000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V028000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10911215October 3, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, ALL OF THE DOORS LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE CONTACT AND HIS FAMILY COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT AND HIS FAMILY REQUIRED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10889342July 28, 2016
ENGINE, WHEELS, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES RANDOMLY LOST TIRE PRESSURE AND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RIMS AND TIRES. THE CONTACT HAD A REPAIR SHOP REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES THREE TIMES. WHEN THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE A FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE FAN FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V138000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 00V383000 (WHEELS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10870762May 25, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V613000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10846484March 14, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM DUE TO A A PLASTIC REFLECTOR IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING MANUFACTURED BY ZKW THAT BURNS OUT PREMATURELY. THIS CAUSES A VERY SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD AS VISIBILITY IS GREATLY DIMINISHED. I HAVE NEARLY STRUCK SEVER PEDESTRIANS, OTHER VEHICLES AND DARK OBJECTS AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY SUCH AS LARGE TIRE DEBRIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10723736June 6, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE THREE PASSENGER DOORS ON MY 4 DOOR CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK USING EITHER THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTER CONSOLE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I ONLY HAVE A MANUAL DOOR LOCK KEY HOLE ON MY DRIVER DOOR. SO THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL UNLOCK AND OPEN IS THE DRIVER DOOR. THIS IS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY GM5 MODULE. ITS A VERY REGULAR THING ON BMWS AND I CANT BELIEVE IT HASNT BEEN RECALLED ALREADY. IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, AN ACCIDENT OR CAR GOES INTO A BODY OF WATER, THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WILL BE STUCK AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. EMERGENCY SERVICES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOORS OPEN IF NEED BE WITHOUT USING THE JAWS OF LIFE TO CUT THEM OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD SIMPLY BE ABLE TO PULL THE DOOR HANDLES. THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. READING ONLINE, THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH BMWS AND THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $750+ TO FIX IT. LUCKILY, THERE IS SOMEONE ONLINE THAT WILL REPAIR THE MODULES FOR A FRACTION OF THAT BUT WITH THIS BEING AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MOST MODEL BMWS, THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. I AM SENDING MINE OFF TO GET REPAIRED BECAUSE I WANT MY DOOR LOCKS OPERATING PROPERLY JUST IN CASE THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. CAN WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THOUGH?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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