2021 BMW 330i

Routine

Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System11
020
Engine5
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Air Bags3
000
Suspension2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Service Brakes1
101
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
010

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Starter Assembly26V056000
Filed Jan 30, 202687,394 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.

Risk. Fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay25V636000Park outside
Filed Sep 23, 2025199,674 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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.

Electrical System › Software23V584000
Filed Aug 16, 2023144 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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."

Risk. An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Seats23V211000
Filed Mar 29, 202351 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. 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.

Seat Belts21V554000
Filed Jul 21, 202121,537 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly21V298000
Filed Apr 28, 202112 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.

Risk. An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Back Over Prevention › Software21V096000
Filed Feb 19, 202113,858 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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 the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jul 17, 202630,868 milesTX

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, there was an audible alert heard, and a red air bag light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failure in the driver’s side knee air bags. The air bags were replaced, and the airbag module was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,868.

Engine
Filed May 7, 2026NY

25V-636 This has been unresolved for 6 months with no sign of a fix. It’s a starter motor, not the space shuttle.

Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2026CT

I am submitting a claim pertaining to NHTSA Recall Number 25V636000 which pertains to a engine starter issue that can result in fire. This recall was reported first on September 23, 2025 and has been gone without a remedy. Since as of today, it has been 212 days without a solution that I am driving a car that may catch fire. This is too long and I am seeking remediation in the form of a replacement vehicle.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 17, 202649,000 milesNJ

The contact owned a 2021 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the passenger side fender. The contact entered a nearby parking lot off the highway when the vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle, and someone inside a nearby building extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department and police department arrived. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The contact did not sustain any injuries, and no medical attention was needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 2, 2026IL

I phoned BMW today for an update on this recall. After 6 months, Manufacturer still does not have a fix or repair for your recall 25V636000 and no solution date. This is completely unacceptable.

Engine
Filed Mar 25, 2026NC

My check engine light came on stating my engine coolant was low. I took it to a shop and was told I needed to replace my filter/coolant housing assembly.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 16, 2026GA

In September of 2025, I was notified twice by BMW via mail that my car is under recall. The NHTSA Recall Number is 25V636000. It is possible for water to contact and enter the engine starter. This could lead to corrosion which could cause a short circuit and ultimately a fire. They told me it would be fixed free of charge and I would be notified when the remedy was available. There were no such warnings or messages of the problem prior to being notified of this potential failure. Their mailed instructions told me to park the car outside which I did. My car was exposed to storms and hickory nuts from trees fell on my car causing damage. The extent of the damage was classified as the equivalent of "hail damage" and I had to pay $2000 out of pocket to a Paintless Dent Repair shop to get the damage fixed. I called multiple dealerships back in October and they told me to check in February of 2026. It is now March and a remedy is still not available. I called multiple dealerships today, March 16th 2026, and they have all told me that parts are still not available. This is infuriating. I had to pay a significant amount of money due to a defect on BMW's part. I now park my car in my garage where it belongs. It is infeasible for myself and many others to park a vehicle outside. My safety is put at risk every day and I worry constantly that my vehicle will spontaneously combusts and burns my house down. BMW must make this right. I am seeking a timely resolution to this recall as well a

Electrical System
Filed Mar 10, 2026GA

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted, and confirmed the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 27, 2026PA

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were available but in limited quantities. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 16, 2026NV

While driving approximately 70 mph on the highway, my vehicle’s sunroof suddenly and violently shattered without any warning. There was no impact from debris, no vehicle in front of me throwing objects, and no prior damage to the glass. The explosion was extremely loud, resembling a gunshot. The sunroof glass appeared to burst outward and then collapse inward, sending broken glass downward. Thankfully, my vehicle has a canvas sunshade beneath the sunroof, which was closed at the time. The sunshade prevented glass from falling directly onto me and my passenger. Without the shade, we likely would have sustained injuries from falling and flying glass. There were no road hazards, weather anomalies, or external impacts that could have caused this failure. The failure appears to be spontaneous. This incident created a significant safety hazard due to: The sudden loud explosion at highway speed The potential for serious injury from falling glass The risk of loss of vehicle control due to distraction or injury The possibility of future occurrences in similar vehicles I believe this may be a manufacturing defect involving the tempered glass panel.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 12, 2026NY

The contact owns a 2021 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2025FL

I have reached out to both the manufacturer and dealership regarding “Recall Campaign No. 25V-636: Engine Starter” who both do not have a remedy for this recall and do not have a reasonable timeframe of when it will be resolved.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 4, 2025FL

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated that several attempts were needed in the morning to start the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Check Control - Engine Unable to Start" even though the vehicle was running and being driven. Additionally, the contact stated that after stopping at a traffic light, the engine ON/OFF engaged; however, after the traffic light changed and the brake pedal was released, the vehicle failed to restart as designed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after disengaging the ON/OFF feature, the vehicle failed to turn off when the vehicle was parked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, there was no part available for the repair. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no information on when parts would become available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Nov 21, 202530,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and coming to a stop at a red traffic light, the contact started smelling smoke. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart with a message that the vehicle was unable to be restarted displayed. The contact turned on the hazard lights with the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. The contact then noticed that there was smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle and immediately called 911. The contact stated that while a Metro service employee was attempting to assist the contact in towing the vehicle to the side of the road, the worker noticed that fire had started underneath the vehicle and called the Fire Department. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that there was fire underneath the front end. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle then burst into flames. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A Fire Department report was filed. The front end of the vehicle was significantly burned. A Police Officer arrived at the scene but had not filed a report because there was no injury sustained. The Police Officer provided his badge number to the contact. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was being evaluated by the Insurance Company. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss; however, the Insurance Company had not yet confirmed that the vehicle was a total loss. The dealer and the

Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 2025NV

I bought my car in 2023 with 12,000 miles. I currently have 43,000 on it. I don’t drive it hard and have always had the maintenance done. I had my rear brakes replaced today at BMW and I was told my engine mounts have failed and need to be fixed asap. Was given a quote of 3000.00. My warranty expired literally 2 months ago. I’m told it’s dangerous to drive but how does this happen? Everything I read says they should be lasting 60,000-100,000 miles at least.

Suspension
Filed Nov 18, 2025GA

The front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may be separating, which is causing my vehicle to continually fall out of alignment. This ongoing issue is leading to accelerated tire wear, despite the fact that I have not driven many miles. The manufacturer needs to address the underlying cause, as the dealership continues to recommend alignments without resolving the root problem. I have already paid for two alignments, yet the vehicle consistently goes out of alignment again.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 13, 202533,672 milesDE

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the engine was shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,672.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 12, 2025DE

The contact's son owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact's son received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 29, 2025GA

I just became aware from Consumer Reports about an upcoming recall on BMWs because of a potential fire hazard with the engine starter relays. I own a 2021 BMW 330i which is one of the models listed. I entered my VIN on the NHTSA and BMW websites and both sites indicated my vehicle has no open recalls. According to NHTSA, BMW will start notifying owners on November 14 about the recall. In the Consumer Reports article and several other articles I read about the recall, owners are being directed to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings and other vehicles. Owners are expected to wait until November 14 to see if their specific vehicle is included in the recall. This is not acceptable! NHTSA needs to hold BMW and other manufacturers accountable for informing owners of a recall in a timely manner; a month and a half delay in notification is unacceptable. Owners need to know if their specific vehicle is one of the ones being recalled. I understand the potential delay in scheduling the repairs because of a shortage of parts. However, there should not be a delay in informing owners about the recall status of their specific vehicles. Please escalate this to whomever is involved in the decision making process at NHTSA.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 29, 2025NJ

My BMW 330i 2021 caught on fire while I was driving. Smoke came from the hood, and I open the hood and seen the Fire, and I called the Newark NJ Fire Department. see attached photo of the BMW after the fire.

20 of 29 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20254110Routine
20245200Routine
20234200Routine
20226300Routine
2021 — this page29730Routine
2020521120Routine
201941950Routine
201832130Routine
201741000Routine
20110300Routine
20100300Routine
20090300Routine
20080300Routine
20070300Routine
20062197100Do not drive
200528520Do not drive
2004113540Do not drive
200377742Do not drive
200245710Do not drive
2001116830Do not drive
20000300Do not drive
19990200Routine

Compare every 330i year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 30, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.