KnownCarProblems2020 BMW 330i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW 330i, most often about the engine (38% of complaints). It is 5th of 16 330i model years by number of complaints and has 11 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2020 BMW 330i problems
Engine
20 complaints · 38%The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that the engine coolant low warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to rallye BMW (1 brush hollow rd, westbury, ny 11590; ([phone]) who confirmed them that the coolant level was low. The dealer stated that the heat management module was defective and…
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bearing and motor mount needed to be replaced. Upon…
Electrical
20 complaints · 38%Parts named most often: ignition.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while he was sleeping, the vehicle was parked outside of the garage and had started itself without the key in the ignition then drove itself and crashed into the aluminum garage door. The contact was aware of the failure when he went inside the garage and heard…
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while attempting to use the auto-start and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to start…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 13%Air bags
5 complaints · 9%The contact owned a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop and making a left turn, another vehicle, trying to beat the light and driving 60 MPH, crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact was trapped because the front driver's side door failed to open. The air…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, rearview mirrors/devices.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a loud boom that came from the sunroof. The contact pulled over and noticed that the sunroof had shattered. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Driver assistance
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: blind spot detection, warnings, assist.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 BMW 330i recalls
Electrical: relay
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 6, 2026. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov november 14, 2025.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2021 bmw 330i, 2019-2022 bmw z4, 2020-2022 bmw 530i, x3, x4, toyota supra, 2021-2022 bmw 430i, 430i convertible, and 2022 bmw 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Electrical: software
Risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 12, 2023. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i, 2022 430i coupe, 2021-2022 430i, m440i convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xdrive gran coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Seats
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 22, 2023. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i xdrive, 2020-2021 x3 sdrive30i, x3 xdrive30i, x3 m40i, x3m, 2021 x3 xdrive30e, x4 xdrive30i, and x4m vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
Backup camera: software
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began april 16, 2021. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2021 x3 sdrive30i, x3 xdrive30i, x3 m40i, x3m, x4 xdrive30i, x4 m40i, m550i, x4m, x5 sdrive40i, x5 xdrive40i, x5 xdrive50i, x5m, x5 m50i, x7 xdrive40i, x7 xdrive50i, x7 m50i, alpina xb7, 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i, m340i xdrive, and 8 series coupe, convertible and grand coupe, 840i, 840i xdrive, m850i xdrive, m8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xdrive, 330e, 330e xdrive, 745le, 745le xdrive, x5 xdrive45e, x3 xdrive30e, x6 sdrive40i, x6 xdrive40i, x6 xdrive50i, x6 m50i, x6m, 530i, 530i xdrive, 540i, 540i xdrive, m550i xdrive, m5, 740i, 740li, 740li xdrive, m760i drive, m760li xdrive, 750li xdrive alpina, alpina b7 xdrive, and 2021 4 series coupe 430i, 430i xdrive, m440i xdrive vehicles. When shifting into reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw and toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began august 14, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019 z4 sdrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xdrive, m340i and m340i xdrive, 2020 x3m and x4m, and toyota supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk: If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began may 18, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2020 x3 xdrive30e, x4 xdrive30i, x4 m40i, x4m, 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i, 840i gran coupe, 840i xdrive gran coupe, m850i xdrive gran coupe, m8 gran coupe, x3 sdrive30i, x3 xdrive30i, x3 m40i, x3m, and 840i xdrive convertible vehicles. The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt pretensioners fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear seat belts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin february 10, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i and 330i xdrive vehicles. The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners may not lock as intended during a crash.
Lights: headlights
Risk: Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin january 17, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2020 z4 m40i, z4 sdrive30i, 330i and 330i xdrive vehicles as well as 2020 toyota supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.
Body and structure: trunk lid
Risk: If a person were inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the interior trunk release cable and properly install the cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began december 13, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2020 330i, 330i xdrive and m340i vehicles. The interior trunk release cable may have been improperly installed, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 401, "internal trunk release."
Engine
Risk: If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began december 13, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xdrive, and 2019 z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began november 8, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or rolls-royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xdrive, 540i, 540i xdrive, m550i xdrive, m5, 530e, 530e xdrive, x3 sdrive, x3 xdrive, x3 m40i, x3 m, and 2019-2020 x4 xdrive, x4 m40i, x4 m, x7 xdrive, x7 m50i, 740li, 740li xdrive, 750li, 750li xdrive, 8 series convertible and coupe 840i, 840i xdrive, m850i xdrive, x5 sdrive, x5 xdrive, x5 m50i, x6 xdrive, x6 m50i, 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i, m340i xdrive, z4 sdrive, z4 m40i, 740le xdrive and 745le xdrive, 2018-2019 640i xdrive gran turismo and rolls-royce phantom, 2019 m850i xdrive gran coupe and rolls-royce cullinan and 2020 toyota supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of f
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 2020 BMW 330i
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW 330i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (20 complaints); electrical (20 complaints); other or unspecified (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 BMW 330i have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 23, 2025 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the BMW 330i?
- It is 5th of 16 330i model years by number of complaints, with 53 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.