KnownCarProblems2001 BMW 330ci Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 330ci, most often about the fuel system (22% of complaints, typically around 142,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 330ci model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2001 BMW 330ci problems
Fuel system
18 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 142,000 miles.
The bracket holding the strap that supports the gas tank on the passenger side broke off at the welds, leaving the gas tank hanging and the strap dragging on the ground.
While exiting the freeway at near freeway speeds, I heard a sudden thump, then the sound of something dragging on the ground beneath the car. I pulled over into a parking lot. Further inspection revealed that the 4 tiny spot welds and epoxy that fixes the passenger side fuel tank strap to the car had broken free…
Air bags
17 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Takata recall - I received a notice by mail that my car is subject to two recalls. I will have these recalls performed at BMW dealer soon. I request being part of the class action lawsuit.
Driving down straight road and had to swerve right to avoid animal that ran suddenly into road. Road had no run-off before steep rocky drop to ditch 1-2 ft below. Right (passenger) side tires barely got into rocks, which bent both right side rims and punctured right side rear tire. Bottom of car bottomed out on edge…
Transmission
11 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 107,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Lost the ability to drive reverse , I searched on the internet it was a lot of compliant about BMW transmission especially the model 5hp19 zf ,there is even a website called noreverse.org where thousands of complaint about this model . BMW wont acknowledge the issue , and we definitely need an action.
Hello, I am the owner of a 2001 BMW 330cic. Yesterday, my car lost the ability to drive in "reverse" once the car is shifted into that gear. While searching the internet, I found that this is a very common failure for this transmission model, and was thus LED to this website to file a complaint. My car is equipped…
Engine
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330i. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating. In addition, the cooling fan would fail intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that they needed to replace the cooling fan. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated…
Tl contact owns a 2001 BMW 330ci. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the cooling fan motor failed. The head gasket failed, which also caused the engine to fail. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02v138000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan). The manufacturer stated…
Lights
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 117,000 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights, brake lights, headlights.
Left tail lights stopped working. Inspection found burnt ground wire at wiring connector. Replacement of ground wire, connector and bulb holder assembly needed.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330ci. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH at night, the front headlights were flickering on and off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made…
Electrical
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 116,500 miles.
Ground wire to twilights can't handle current and therefore blows out and triggers the light control module which makes the headlights flicker and die prematurely and causes lights on the dash that are in accurate
Left tail lights stopped working. Inspection found burnt ground wire at wiring connector. Replacement of ground wire, connector and bulb holder assembly needed.
Body and structure
7 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 112,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
While entering the freeway I heard a pop from under my car and immediately began to hear a loud metallic scraping sound coming from under my car as if I were dragging something. I immediately pulled off the freeway and found the metal bracket that holds the gas tank on the passenger side had come loose from an area…
While driving down a local road, the fuel tank strap of my 2001 BMW 330ci suddenly broke off. It failed at the weld points. The fuel tank did remain in tact. I brought it to the local dealership and BMW repaired it. Please note that other similar incidents have been reported on BMW internet forums.
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: rim.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 BMW 330ci recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result 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.
Fix: Bmw notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began november 10, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323ci, 325ci, 328ci, 330ci, 323it, and 325it vehicles equipped with non-azide driver air bag inflators (nadi) manufactured by takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement nadi inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Engine: fan
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: fan
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 BMW 330ci
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 330ci?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (18 complaints, typically around 142,000 miles); air bags (17 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); transmission (11 complaints, typically around 107,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 330ci have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 27, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the BMW 330ci?
- It is the most complained-about 330ci model year since 2000, with 82 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.