2001 BMW 330XI: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 11 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 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”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2013
Show 5 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2012
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2011
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 330XI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW 330XI reliable?
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 BMW 330XI. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2001 BMW 330XI have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.