Total Complaints
97 filings
BMW 330CI · model year
97 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001BMW330CI carries 97 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 5 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 330CI is air bags with 13 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (8) and electrical system (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2001 330CI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
97 filings
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 13 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 PS
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 aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330 Ci. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head-on crash. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights. The contact stated that the front end was crumpled past the wheel wells and almost to the firewall. The front end frame had buckled. The contact stated that all the air bags had deployed except for the driver's air bag and both side curtain air bags. The contact had received cuts on both hands and had neck and back pains. The contact stated that emergency medical services had arrived but he was not treated or transported to an ER. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured, and both vehicles were towed away. The contact had his vehicle towed to his residence. The police were on the scene and had written a report. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that he had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V047000 (Air Bags) from the manufacturer, however, the dealer would not perform
Mileage: 180,000
Gas tank strap that holds up the gas tank tore off on the part that is supposed to be welded on the car. One end is bolted on, the other has a welded bracket. That bracket broke off and my gas tank and bracket were dragging until I pulled off of the road. Luckily the entire gas tank didnât fall out because if it would have, the tank wouldâve broke and caused a massive spill of gas, since the tank was full of fuel. There is no warning lamps for this, a weld shouldnât just break off, and I canât find any replacements to fix it or replace it at all.
Tire exploded and completely blew off the wheel while driving at 45 MPH. Yes, there are two exact Luckily the position of the vehicle, time of day, and other vehicles all aligned to prevent further destruction/collision. Yes, it was inspected today, 5.26.2021.
THE WELDS ON THE FRONT STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK IN PLACE BROKE WHILE DRIVING,RESULTING IN GAS TANK DROPPING HALF WAY DURING DRIVING. THERE IS NO OTHER DEVICE HOLDING THE GAS TANK MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND INOPERABLE.
Mileage: 198,000
STRAP THAT SUSPENDS THE FUEL TANK BROKE CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO HANG AND ALMOST TOUCH THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED ON A CITY STREET.
Mileage: 168,000
MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING UNUSED SINCE 6:00PM THE PREVIOUS DAY. AT 6:30AM I HAD ENTERED MY CAR PARKED AT PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY AND ANAHEIM STREET IN LONG BEACH,CA. (WHICH IS A SURFACE STREET). I STARTED MY CAR THEN DROVE A HALF OF A BLOCK THEN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF MY CAR AT THE STORE 7/11. I WENT IN MADE A PURCHASE CAME OUT MY CAR. I STARTED MY CAR AND THEN LEFT 7-ELEVEN DRIVING DOWN ANAHEIM ABOUT .2-.3 MILES. I CAME TO THE LIGHT AT ANAHEIM STREET AND PARK. BOTH SURFACE STREETS. I WAS IN THE TURN LANE TO TURN LEFT ONTO PARK. I BEGAN SMELLING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THE TIME WAS 6:40 AM. I LEANED MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW AND COULD NOT SMELL THE ELECTRICAL SMELL OUTSIDE. I DISCERNED THAT THIS WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE REASON FOR THE SMELL AT THIS TIME.THE LIGHT CHANGED I TURNED LEFT ONTO PARK. AS I BEGAN TO TURN LEFT WHITE TO GREY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE VENT WHICH IS LOWER BY DOOR AND THAT FACES THE DRIVER. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR. I RAN OVER TO AN
MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING UNUSED SINCE 6:00PM THE PREVIOUS DAY. AT 6:30AM I HAD ENTERED MY CAR PARKED AT PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY AND ANAHEIM STREET IN LONG BEACH,CA. (WHICH IS A SURFACE STREET). I STARTED MY CAR THEN DROVE A HALF OF A BLOCK THEN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF MY CAR AT THE STORE 7/11. I WENT IN MADE A PURCHASE CAME OUT MY CAR. I STARTED MY CAR AND THEN LEFT 7-ELEVEN DRIVING DOWN ANAHEIM ABOUT .2-.3 MILES. I CAME TO THE LIGHT AT ANAHEIM STREET AND PARK. BOTH SURFACE STREETS. I WAS IN THE TURN LANE TO TURN LEFT ONTO PARK. I BEGAN SMELLING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THE TIME WAS 6:40 AM. I LEANED MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW AND COULD NOT SMELL THE ELECTRICAL SMELL OUTSIDE. I DISCERNED THAT THIS WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE REASON FOR THE SMELL AT THIS TIME.THE LIGHT CHANGED I TURNED LEFT ONTO PARK. AS I BEGAN TO TURN LEFT WHITE TO GREY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE VENT WHICH IS LOWER BY DOOR AND THAT FACES THE DRIVER. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR. I RAN OVER TO AN
IN MOTION TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS, CLUNK THEN EXCLAMATION POINT APPEAR NEXT TO DASHBOARD GEAR INDICATOR.1ST GEAR DISAPPEARS-THEREFORE DANGEROUSLY SLOW TAKEOFF SPEED.
Mileage: 117,000
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
Mileage: 116,500
THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS THAT WHERE INSTALLED IN MY BMW AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER DID NOT WORK PROPLERLY OR WHERE INSTALLED PROPERLY THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A WARRANTY TIME FRAME IT ONLY RAN 4,000 MORE MILES SINCE THEY DID A SERVICE ON IT MY CAR JUST STOPED WORKING IT WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK AND ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME OR AROUND IT COULD HAVE JUST STOPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT THANKFULLY I WAS AT A PARKING LOT I JUST WOULD LIKE THE BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND TO REPAIR MY CAR THE RIGHT WAY THEY USED PARTS THAT STOPED WORKING.
Mileage: 170,903
THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS THAT WHERE INSTALLED IN MY BMW AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER DID NOT WORK PROPLERLY OR WHERE INSTALLED PROPERLY THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A WARRANTY TIME FRAME IT ONLY RAN 4,000 MORE MILES SINCE THEY DID A SERVICE ON IT MY CAR JUST STOPED WORKING IT WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK AND ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME OR AROUND IT COULD HAVE JUST STOPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT THANKFULLY I WAS AT A PARKING LOT I JUST WOULD LIKE THE BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND TO REPAIR MY CAR THE RIGHT WAY THEY USED PARTS THAT STOPED WORKING.
Mileage: 170,903
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA (4171 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 969-0755). UPON ARRIVAL, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD ARRIVE IN SIX WEEKS, WHICH WAS OVER THREE MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PATS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT
I BOUGHT A USED 2001 BMW 330CI 2DR COUPE ON THE DATE OF MAY 5TH 2017. I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS TIME. THE TAKATA AIR BAG WAS PRESENT IN THIS MODEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE WELL KNOWN OVERHEATING ISSUE CAME MY WAY. MY MODEL WOULD OVERHEAT AT THE POINT WHERE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL FAN WOULD NOT KICK IN TO AVOID OVERHEATING. ELECTRICAL STABILITY WAS AT LOST DUE TO THESE PRESENT ISSUES. ODDLY ENOUGH THE FAN WOULD ACTUALLY RUN IN REVERSE POLARITY PUSHING AIR OUT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IT SHOULD BE PULLING THE AIR IN. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CAR OVERHEATED CAUSING ME TO BREAK DOWN, A THERMOSTAT ISSUE COULD BE PRESENT ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN MOTION.
Mileage: 184,000
I BOUGHT A USED 2001 BMW 330CI 2DR COUPE ON THE DATE OF MAY 5TH 2017. I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS TIME. THE TAKATA AIR BAG WAS PRESENT IN THIS MODEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE WELL KNOWN OVERHEATING ISSUE CAME MY WAY. MY MODEL WOULD OVERHEAT AT THE POINT WHERE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL FAN WOULD NOT KICK IN TO AVOID OVERHEATING. ELECTRICAL STABILITY WAS AT LOST DUE TO THESE PRESENT ISSUES. ODDLY ENOUGH THE FAN WOULD ACTUALLY RUN IN REVERSE POLARITY PUSHING AIR OUT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IT SHOULD BE PULLING THE AIR IN. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CAR OVERHEATED CAUSING ME TO BREAK DOWN, A THERMOSTAT ISSUE COULD BE PRESENT ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN MOTION.
Mileage: 184,000
I BOUGHT A USED 2001 BMW 330CI 2DR COUPE ON THE DATE OF MAY 5TH 2017. I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS TIME. THE TAKATA AIR BAG WAS PRESENT IN THIS MODEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE WELL KNOWN OVERHEATING ISSUE CAME MY WAY. MY MODEL WOULD OVERHEAT AT THE POINT WHERE THE AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL FAN WOULD NOT KICK IN TO AVOID OVERHEATING. ELECTRICAL STABILITY WAS AT LOST DUE TO THESE PRESENT ISSUES. ODDLY ENOUGH THE FAN WOULD ACTUALLY RUN IN REVERSE POLARITY PUSHING AIR OUT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IT SHOULD BE PULLING THE AIR IN. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CAR OVERHEATED CAUSING ME TO BREAK DOWN, A THERMOSTAT ISSUE COULD BE PRESENT ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN MOTION.
Mileage: 184,000
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.
Mileage: 83,000
THE RUBBER OR SEALS AROUND MY WINDSHIELD HAS DETERIORATED BADLY AS WELL AS SIDE WINDOWS TO. IT SHOULD BE THE COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILTY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AS SO MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE IT'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL. ALSO THE CLEAR COAT OF THE PAINT ON THIS MODEL HAS PEELED REALLY BAD. IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES IT'S AN OBVIOUS RECALL. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER BMW. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. 2001 BMW 330 CI
Mileage: 122,000
DASH INDICATED LEFT TAILLIGHT WAS OUT WHEN IT WASN'T, THIS WAS RANDOM ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE DASH PANEL INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. I STOPPED, AND NOTICED THE MELTED WIRES FROM THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS. AS I LOOKED AT THEM I COULD SEE THEM SPARKING WHEN CERTAIN MOVEMENTS OCCURRED., VERY DANGEROUSLY AND ERRATIC. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE SIDES MELTED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT IMPEDES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION BUT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AN IMPORTANT ENOUGH ISSUE TO REPLACE IT AS PART OF A RECALL OR SERVICE RECOVERY.
Mileage: 90,000
DASH INDICATED LEFT TAILLIGHT WAS OUT WHEN IT WASN'T, THIS WAS RANDOM ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE DASH PANEL INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. I STOPPED, AND NOTICED THE MELTED WIRES FROM THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS. AS I LOOKED AT THEM I COULD SEE THEM SPARKING WHEN CERTAIN MOVEMENTS OCCURRED., VERY DANGEROUSLY AND ERRATIC. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE SIDES MELTED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT IMPEDES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION BUT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AN IMPORTANT ENOUGH ISSUE TO REPLACE IT AS PART OF A RECALL OR SERVICE RECOVERY.
Mileage: 90,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.