At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Electrical system recall
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.
- Status
- Park outside and away from buildings until repaired. Dealer fixes it free.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
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).
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
8
Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11732736 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
12
Most reports here involve fire.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11736408 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
2
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11700215 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
3
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11751173 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
3
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11718178 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11728747 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 29 complaints on file, fewer than the 2020 (52). Of the 5 model years of the BMW 330i we cover, the 2020 has the most (52). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.