NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 BMW 330XI Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 BMW 330XI has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 BMW 330XI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 BMW 330XI owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 330XI, describing incidents dated July 7, 2001 to August 10, 2015.

Most-cited components

Engine 3 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint

Of the 11 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 11 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10748748 · Filed August 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330 XI. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR LIGHT WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LAMP CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CONNECTOR NUMBER THREE MELTED ON BOTH ENDS…
ODI #10681573 · Filed February 5, 2015
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 6MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED. THE DEALER HAS A WAITING LIST OF OVER 300 CARS, AND HAS NOT EVEN STARTED DOING THE WORK REQUIRED FOR THIS RECALL. I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DEALER AS BMW USA HAS NOT STARTED SHIPPING THE PARTS. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO GET…
ODI #10562146 · Filed January 29, 2014
CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN ALL DAY UNTIL EVENING WHEN I DROVE CAR 4-5 MILES TO ONE RESIDENCE, CONTINUED WITH PASSENGER FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES TO ANOTHER RESIDENCE, PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. REMAINED IN CAR BRIEFLY WHILE FINISHING A CONVERSATION WHEN NOTICED GRAY/WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD…

Read all 11 complaints

Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #21V401000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 27, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 4,511 vehicles

Repair completion: 50.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 12, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #20V018000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 292,948 vehicles

Repair completion: 42.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 13, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #14V428000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported June 11, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 574,007 vehicles

Repair completion: 29.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 1, 2014 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 13V-172.

BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN

NHTSA #02V138000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 1,550 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN

NHTSA #01V206000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported June 21, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 76,469 vehicles

Owners notified September 28, 2001 · Vehicles built February 1, 2001 – May 14, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 BMW 330XI. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW 330XI.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10748748

Incident: August 10, 2015 · Filed: August 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330 XI. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR LIGHT WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LAMP CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CONNECTOR NUMBER THREE MELTED ON BOTH ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags

ODI #10681573

Incident: September 30, 2014 · Filed: February 5, 2015

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 6MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED. THE DEALER HAS A WAITING LIST OF OVER 300 CARS, AND HAS NOT EVEN STARTED DOING THE WORK REQUIRED FOR THIS RECALL. I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DEALER AS BMW USA HAS NOT STARTED SHIPPING THE PARTS. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED?? *TR

Engine

ODI #10562146

Fire

Incident: January 12, 2014 · Filed: January 29, 2014

CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN ALL DAY UNTIL EVENING WHEN I DROVE CAR 4-5 MILES TO ONE RESIDENCE, CONTINUED WITH PASSENGER FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES TO ANOTHER RESIDENCE, PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. REMAINED IN CAR BRIEFLY WHILE FINISHING A CONVERSATION WHEN NOTICED GRAY/WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, CALLED FOR HELP FROM RESIDENT. WHEN USE OF 2 PERSONAL EXTINGUISHERS DIDN'T HELP, CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO RESPONDED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT NOTES ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FULLY INVOLVED WHEN THEY ARRIVED AND APPEARS FIRE STARTED IN RIGHT FRONT CORNER, BUT UNABLE TO MAKE FIRE CAUSE DETERMINATION DUE TO HEAVY FIRE INVOLVEMENT. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10554396

Incident: November 11, 2013 · Filed: December 2, 2013

THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAVE PARTIALLY FAILED. ONE SET OF BRAKE LIGHT BULBS, THE DUAL FILAMENT BULBS NO LONGER LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ARE IN WORKING ORDER SO IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRING OR THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *TR

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Structure

ODI #10472559

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: August 13, 2012 · Filed: August 27, 2012

VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER DRIVER RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE OTHER DRIVER CENTERED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL BUT DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER'S DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. WE COULD SEE HIT HANGING FROM THE REAR PILLAR TO THE FRONT PILLAR BUT IT WAS STILL TUBULAR SHAPED AND DID NOT PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM HITTING HER HEAD ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE FRONT PANEL WAS COMPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10410726

Incident: June 30, 2011 · Filed: July 6, 2011

THE SECONDARY COOLING FAN FAILED CAUSING THE EXPANSION TANK ON OUR 2001 BMW 330XI SPLIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. WE REPLACED THE EXPANSION TANK AND MANY RELATED PARTS INCLUDING THERMOSTAT. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WE BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS CLOSE TO, BUT NOT THE SAME AS, THE FAN FAILURE THAT YOU REPORTED ON MAY 16, 2002. (02V138000 , 01V206000 ). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling; Equipment

ODI #10321264

Incident: February 12, 2010 · Filed: March 21, 2010

THE EXPANSION TANK ON OUR 2001 BMW 330XI SPLIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 48,000 MILES OF USE. WE REPLACED THE ENGINE AND MANY RELATED PARTS INCLUDING THE EXPANSION TANK AND RADIATOR. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL AFTER THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE CAR WAS IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP. WE BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS CLOSE TO, BUT NOT THE SAME AS, THE FAN FAILURE THAT YOU REPORTED ON MAY 16, 2002. *TR

Structure

ODI #10148851

Incident: January 1, 2006 · Filed: January 27, 2006

2001 - 330XI - 50000 MILES, REAR SUBFRAME TORN OUT ON LEFT SIDE, RIGHT SIDE CRACKED! *AK

Wheels

ODI #10102318

Incident: July 30, 2004 · Filed: December 7, 2004

ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON NEW JERSEY ROADS (TWO TIMES ON MAJOR ROADS) MY VEHICLE STRUCK A POT HOLE AND THE INSIDE PORTION OF THE RIM BENT. I HAVE REPLACED THE RIMS WITH AFTERMARKET ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS. ACCORDING TO WHEEL COLLISION EXPERTS OF ALLENTOWN PA. BMW RIMS ARE THERE BIGGEST CUSTOMER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN N.J. FOR 31 YEARS AND THESE ARE MY FIRST RIM FAILURES. I STILL HAVE THREE RIMS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THESE FAILURES OCCURED WITH ONLY 22,000 MILES ON THE CAR.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Tires

ODI #10050413

Incident: December 1, 2003 · Filed: February 19, 2004

IN SNOWY CONDITIONS THE ANTI-LOCKBRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *AK THE TIRES HAD 1/2 TREAD LIFE. THE DEALER BLAMED THE TIRES. (TIRE, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND OR AWD WAS THE PROBLEM) *SC

Other BMW 330XI model years

Check your 2001 BMW 330XI VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 330XI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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