2017 BMW 330E Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined (gas only), 2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid RWD · 28 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 BMW 330E (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2017 BMW 330E. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (58% of the total), followed by engine (5) and other or unknown (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 304 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the relay and 104 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system7 58%
- Engine5 42%
- Other or unknown3 25%
- Fuel system1 8.3%
- Body and structure1 8.3%
- Tires1 8.3%
- Wheels1 8.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While the car was plugged in overnight in the garage, (it is a hybrid), a terrible odor was released and carbon monoxide was detected. Fire department was called twice (this occurred two nights in a row) and detected high levels of co from inside the car and from the hood. We needed to evacuate the house each time. Gas company and plumber confirmed there was no other issues in garage. Upon removal of the car, issues no longer persist. Bmw cannot find anything wrong with the car, but I refuse to take the car back, given safety for my family. …”
NHTSA complaint #11269386, filed 2019-10, 18,000 milesEngine: “I was driving the car with two passengers and the car suddenly became totally unresponsive. I managed to coast to the shoulder of the road on a very busy street. I contacted Bmw and reported the problem. The yellow engine light was on and it was stuck in park. I could not get it to go into reverse or drive. I turned the car off and on to no avail. This is the second time this has happened. After about 15 min the car started and I managed to drive to my house which was close to where it died on the road. A tow truck is on its way to bring it to flemington Bmw. …”
NHTSA complaint #10938851, filed 2016-12, 2,020 milesOther or unknown: “Unsure of the exact cause, appears to be the high voltage battery/electric drive function that is faulty. It is creating a hazardous condition causing the vehicle to propel itself forward while driving in traffic and almost hitting other vehicles on the roadway when the electric drive fails or it switches between battery and the engine. If it’s not propelling itself forward, it’s unexpectedly decreasing power and preventing the vehicle from driving after stopping for traffic, traffic signals and traffic signs. Increasing the risk for a rear-end collision. …”
NHTSA complaint #11678765, filed 2025-08Transmission and drivetrain: “The vehicle was in motion on the highway on the left lane of traffic at a speed of 65mph in edrive mode. As expected, it shifted from electric to combustion engine at 65mph though the at this point the car started coasting, as if it was in neutral, even though the indicator on the gear shift showed d . The check engine light also went on. I first attempted to switch back to electric drive only ( max edrive mode ) but to no avail. …”
NHTSA complaint #11006685, filed 2017-07, 1,420 milesMileage when problems were reported
80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,020 and 45,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 BMW 330E. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| 3 Series · wagon AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| 3 Series · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 BMW 330E version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330e RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 28 | 34 | 30 gas only | — |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Electrical system › Starter assembly › RelayCovers: BMW 330E 2016–2018, 530E 2018–2020, 740LE 2017–2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 530e xDrive, 2017-2019 740Le xDrive, 2018-2020 530e iPerformance, 2016-2018 330e iPerformance vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Recall details for the 2017 BMW 330E → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 304 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11032733May 7, 2026Engine. The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve 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 /…
- 11024201Oct 1, 2025Engine. The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve 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 /…
- 11012073Dec 4, 2024Electrical system. the High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15…
- 11010767Nov 14, 2024Brakes. BMW of North America, LLC(BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty forthe vehicle’s Brake Servo Unit’s ElectricVacuum Pump assembly to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined bythe vehicle’s original…
- 11002831Jun 7, 2024Fuel system. Component-Specific Extended Limited Warranty (ELW) Issues with the fuel supply module/level sensor assembly and its related components, the fuel doorcover pot (ejector and drive), the filler flap…
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10245364Nov 16, 2023Engine cooling. Diesel fuel injectors: ltd wty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles
- 10245365Nov 13, 2023Engine cooling. Pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles
- 10238090May 1, 2023Electrical system. After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
Other model years of the BMW 330E
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | — | 2 | — | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2018 | 7 | 77,218 | 3 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 12 | 18,000 | 1 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 BMW 330E have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2017 BMW 330E as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 BMW 330E is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (58% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2017 BMW 330E been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 BMW 330E do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 BMW 330E 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 BMW 330E get?
The EPA rates the 2017 BMW 330E (330e, 2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid) at 30 mpg combined, 28 city and 34 highway when running on gasoline in hybrid mode. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 BMW 330E reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,020 and 45,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.