2017 BMW 330E Recalls & Complaints

Incident: October 20, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V441000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times and informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

Incident: September 11, 2026 · Filed: October 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact stated that after parking in the driveway at the residence and turning off the vehicle, there was a sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact immediately disconnected the auxiliary battery, but the clicking noise persisted. The contact opened the hood and discovered smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department was called to the residence, but the flames had self-extinguished. The Fire Department inspected under the hood of the vehicle and confirmed that there was a small. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with starter failure. The starter failure had caused the fire. The starter was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V441000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); but the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: August 27, 2026

Component: Engine Cooling System: Turbocharger Coolant Return Line/Fitting (Part # 11538854735). Defect Summary: The factory turbocharger coolant return line on the B48 engine uses a plastic quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring mechanism positioned directly under the turbo. Extreme thermal cycling causes this plastic to degrade, become brittle, and fail or separate without warning, resulting in immediate, catastrophic drainage of pressurized engine coolant. Failure of Manufacturer Requirements: This component fails basic durability, material safety, and engineering standards for pressurized cooling systems. The design is so fundamentally flawed that authorized factory-trained technicians cannot permanently remedy it using OEM parts; the connection mechanism fails to maintain a pressurized seal under standard operational heat. Freeway Safety Incident: While traveling at high speeds in high-velocity freeway traffic, the fitting failed catastrophically without warning. The sudden coolant loss forced an immediate engine stall/power failure in active lanes. Navigating the powerless vehicle out of the middle of the freeway while surrounding traffic swerved nearly caused a severe, high-speed multi-vehicle collision. Inadequate Remedy & Recurrence: The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership (BMW of the Woodlands, TX) for repair. However, within one week of dealership service, the new OEM line/O-ring completely disconnected again. This recurring separation completely drains the coolant within days, causing subsequent engine stalls, rendering the car undrivable, and repeatedly placing occupants in extreme danger. Thermal & Fire Hazard: Each failure sprays pressurized coolant onto a hot turbocharger and exhaust manifold, creating immediate risks of blinding smoke, vision obscuration, and engine bay ignition, compounded by thermal risks to the 330e hybrid powertrain battery electronics.

Incident: March 19, 2025 · Filed: July 19, 2026

Hybrid battery has a failed cell. It was confirmed by BMW diagnostics but BMW refused to repair/replace failed cell even though it was under full 8yr/80k mile warranty. BMW claimed it as wear and tear, even though 1 out of 5 cells completely failed. The failure caused the car to run at reduced speeds causing others cars around me on the freeway to be in danger as all of sudden I am unable to reach freeway speeds due to part failure. There was an error stored in the car per BMW diagnostics that called for failed Cell to be replaced per notes of the technician who ran the diagnostics. The vehicle was inspected and confirmed by BMW. Yes, there was an error on the infotainment of the car. I advised of the error to BMW.

Incident: November 9, 2022 · Filed: August 6, 2025

Unsure of the exact cause, appears to be the high voltage battery/electric drive function that is faulty. It is creating a hazardous condition causing the vehicle to propel itself forward while driving in traffic and almost hitting other vehicles on the roadway when the electric drive fails or it switches between battery and the engine. If it’s not propelling itself forward, it’s unexpectedly decreasing power and preventing the vehicle from driving after stopping for traffic, traffic signals and traffic signs. Increasing the risk for a rear-end collision. The electric drive is failing & rapidly switching between battery & engine multiple times in a short period. Likely increasing risk for a fire hazard. This is putting the driver & others on the roadway at risk due to increased collision and fire risks. Ferman BMW has recreated the issue. They advised it needed 2 new batteries, standard and the auxiliary battery. Those were replaced and the vehicle still is having issues. Six replaced 3 times. They now blame it on the high voltage batteries & their age. HV batteries are covered under warranty, yet Ferman BMW states they are not because there’s no fault code. Their position is the electric drive malfunction message is a notification & not a fault code. Despite duplicating the issues, having notice of the hazard they refuse to fix it. The message states “ Electric drive is temporarily restricted. You can continue driving. After cooling/heating of high-voltage battery full electric drive power will immediately be available.” A brief search will reveal many others with the same issue and some were successful in getting it handled under warranty. The car has been inspected by Ferman BMW 6 times. This is an ongoing issue with this model and a hazard to the driver, passengers and others on the roadways. Similar issues: [XXX] [XXX] Issue started 2022 car was only 5 yrs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: August 23, 2022 · Filed: September 20, 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Coolant lines How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car would state that it is overheating a month after oil change and fluids replaced Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer confirmed that there is a coolant issue Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It has been inspected by the dealership. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Engine light, coolant low warning, overheat warning, I am also having issues with car start/stop controls. With my car at 58k miles on it I don’t think the auxiliary battery should be having issues like it does. I read that some starters could be the issue but there is no recall on my vehicle which is in the USA. I have only had the car for 5 months and have significant auxiliary battery issues which ping off a lot of different sensors. They are listed in the photo.

Incident: July 1, 2021 · Filed: August 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger’s side door handles were sticky, soft, and melting. There was also an unknown residue on the door handles. The contact attempted to clean the door handles but they continued to leave black residue on the occupant's hands. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Incident: September 27, 2021 · Filed: November 24, 2021

Car won’t start, I brought a new battery and still won’t start. No electricity running through the car at all. I haven’t even had it a year yet. 44,000 miles on it!

Incident: October 7, 2019 · Filed: October 18, 2019

WHILE THE CAR WAS PLUGGED IN OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE, (IT IS A HYBRID), A TERRIBLE ODOR WAS RELEASED AND CARBON MONOXIDE WAS DETECTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TWICE (THIS OCCURRED TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW) AND DETECTED HIGH LEVELS OF CO FROM INSIDE THE CAR AND FROM THE HOOD. WE NEEDED TO EVACUATE THE HOUSE EACH TIME. GAS COMPANY AND PLUMBER CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO OTHER ISSUES IN GARAGE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE CAR, ISSUES NO LONGER PERSIST. BMW CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT I REFUSE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, GIVEN SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TURNED OFF, LOCKED, AND CHARGING OVERNIGHT.

Incident: October 11, 2018 · Filed: October 17, 2018

I'M LEASING BMW 330E. IN NOVEMBER 2017 I BROUGHT IT WITH 5,800 MILES FOR MAINTENANCE TO THE WEATHERFORD BMW; WAS ADVISED TREAD OF REAR SET OF TIRES IS DANGEROUSLY SHALLOW, UNDER 5 MM. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT FRONT SET IS STILL OK WITH 6 MM, BUT SOON NEEND TO BE ALSO REPLACED. I CONTACTED THE BMW NA, OFFERED A 50% DISCOUNT ON A SET OF NEW TIRES. THIS OCTOBER 2018 AT 2ND SERVICE SERVICE I WAS ADVISED THAT THE THREAD NOW ON THE REAR SET IS UNDER 3 MM AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE. THE FRONT SET OF TIRES HAS ONLY 4 MM REMAINING THREAD. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 11,250 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WHEN I CALLED THE BMA NA ABOUT THEIR LAST YEAR OFFER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE "TAKEN THE OFFER OFF THE TABLE". BMW BILL FOR THE NEW 2 TIRE SET WITH BALANCING AND ALLIGNMENT AT $1,006.60 IS ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL. THESE ARE RUN-FLAT CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES. THE CONTINENTAL TIRES COMPANY HAS RESPONDED TO MY ONLINE INQUIRY WITH THE ANSWER THAT THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE NEW CARS HAVE NO TREADWEAR WARRANTY, BUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SAME NEW TIRES DOES COME WITH A 40,000 MILES TREADWEAR WARRANTY. BMW SERVICE CHARGES $500- PLUS PER TIRE FOR REPLACENT, INCLUDING THE BALANCING, ALLIGNMENT AND TAX. SINCE THE AVERAGE MILEAGE IN THE USA PER CAR DRIVEN IS ABOUNT 12,000 MILES ANNUALLY AND THE BMW VEHICLES OWNERS, OR A LESSEES ARE SUPPOSED TO CHANGE IT AFTER JUST 12,000 BECAUSE THE NEW TIRES ARE WORN AND HAVE NO FACTORY, OR TIRE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, THAT MEANS THAT THE ANNUAL COST FOR TIRES OF ONE BMW VEHICLE IS $2,000-. THAT IS UNACCEPTIBLE AND IS A DECEIVING PRACTICE. I SUSPECT THAT BMW FACTORY IN GERMANY PURPOSELY EQUIPPING THEIR NEW VEHCILES WITH SUBSTANDARD QUALITY UNWARRANTED CONTINENTAL RUN-FLAT TIRES TO WRECK ON UNSUSPECTING USA CONSUMERS THE COST OF ANNUAL REPLACEMENT WORTH OF $2,0000- PLUS ANNUALLY, OR $500- PLUS PER TIRE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.