The Used Car Index

2020 BMW 330I problems

NHTSA lists 53 complaints for the 2020 BMW 330I, 4 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 3 complaints mention an injury, with 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW 330I.

At a glance

Complaints
53
With crash
4
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
3
Injuries
4
Deaths
0
Recalls
11
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
1
Recall potential units (maximum)
257,473
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
306

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2037.7%
ENGINE1935.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER713.2%
AIR BAGS59.4%
LANE DEPARTURE35.7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE23.8%
STRUCTURE23.8%
VISIBILITY23.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER23.8%
BACK OVER PREVENTION11.9%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS2
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION2
STRUCTUREBODY2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONREARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1
LANE DEPARTUREASSIST1
VISIBILITYREARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES1
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic1528.3%0.78
fire or overheating1222.6%0.97
mechanical failure1120.8%0.75
restraint or airbag47.5%0.89
unclear47.5%0.72
loss of control35.7%0.92
visibility or lighting23.8%0.76
fluid or fuel leak11.9%1.00
structural or corrosion11.9%0.99
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate2750.9%0.85
low1630.2%0.73
high815.1%0.93
critical23.8%0.83

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 53 tagged complaints of 53 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

11 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 11.

25V636000

Date: 2025-09-23. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

23V584000

Date: 2023-08-16. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V211000

Date: 2023-03-29. Systems: SEATS.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V096000

Date: 2021-02-19. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

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, (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V355000

Date: 2020-06-15. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V164000

Date: 2020-03-19. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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 causi (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V912000

Date: 2019-12-20. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt pretensioners fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V850000

Date: 2019-11-27. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V755000

Date: 2019-10-23. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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."

Consequence: If a person were inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V732000

Date: 2019-10-15. Systems: ENGINE.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

306 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM135
EQUIPMENT103
STRUCTURE33
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY21
VISIBILITY18
ENGINE14
BACK OVER PREVENTION12

11035408

Date: 2026-07-10. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Once the Telematics Module (TCB2) enters sleep mode, a BMW Data Services trigger for Remote Services(remote engine start, lock/unlock/climate conditioning) will not be able to reactivate the TCB2. Due to this issue, Remote Services will not function in the vehicle when parked and locked.

11032731

Date: 2026-05-06. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

11030060

Date: 2026-03-06. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: STRUCTURE.

The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

11022101

Date: 2025-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

While driving on a smooth and/or uneven road, a a crackinga sound is heard from the rear wheel arch area (highlighted in orange) on either the right or left side.

11020911

Date: 2025-07-02. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: STRUCTURE.

After carrying out the vehicle test, one or more of the stored faults indicate that the operation of the front bottom active air flap is obstructed or blocked.

11019576

Date: 2025-06-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passengera s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to occur has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the vehicle's original in-se

11018730

Date: 2025-05-14. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: STRUCTURE.

A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction indicator lamp(MIL) illuminated. After carrying out the vehicle test, one or more of the stored faults indicate that the operation of the front bottomactive air flap is obstructed or blocked. Thoroughly inspect

11017506

Date: 2025-04-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

A groaning noise is present from the door frame of any door, most commonly when driving over rough roadsor during body flex. This situation may be worse in vehicles which are regularly waxed in th e area of the door jamb.

11017562

Date: 2025-04-29. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

Coolant Pump Return

11017103

Date: 2025-04-15. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: STRUCTURE.

The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
330I53

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2020

Sources

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