2001 BMW 330I Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 BMW 330I, 7% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I drive a 2001 Bmw 330I. It stalled on me a few times already. One time, I was slowing down to make a turn and it stalled on me while the car was slowing down. Also, sometimes the accelerator hesitates on me, and it happened twice when I was crossing an intersection and almost got into an accident because of it.”
NHTSA complaint #10072348, filed 2004-05, 64,000 miles“Passenger front window came off track. Back window does not go up or down. It is obvious that other two windows will do the same very soon. This has happened throughout the life of the car... Too many times, too much and too often. My car is a 2001 Bmw 330I, I've had a problem with my radiator resorvior, the water pump and cooling fan, the emmisions system, and my car has shut down on me while driving, usually when I am on a turn (which is very dangerous because I was at a one way stop making a right turn and almost got into an accident because the car shut down). …”
NHTSA complaint #10102339, filed 2004-12, 85,000 miles“Engine stalls on a few occasions when vehicle was turning left at low speed, causing temporary loss of power steering. Was able to quickly re-start the engine every time but could have caused crash otherwise. This occurred more frequently after 2008 (and after 60k miles), both at low speed on local roads and at 45 ~ 55 MPH on highways, summer or winter conditions, with or without AC turned on. Occurrences are infrequent and unpredictable. Reported to my Bmw dealer several times but dealer was unable to replicate the problem and unable to diagnose the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10372751, filed 2010-12, 50,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Bmw 330I. The contact stated that the coolant fan was not working and the engine would not cool down. As a result, the vehicle was overheating. The head gasket was blown and the engine was cracked. The dealer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and the contact would be responsible for the repairs. The failure and current mileages were less than 81,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10263652, filed 2009-03, 81,000 miles“While driving 55 MPH, saw smoke coming from under the hood, consumer pulled over and shut off engine. At that time she saw green liquid pouring out from underneath vehicle. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealer who replaced thermostat.”
NHTSA complaint #898274, filed 2001-10Related recalls
- 02V138000May 16, 2002On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor…Covers: BMW 330I 2001, X5 2001, 525I 2001 +17 more
- 01V206000Jun 21, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the…Covers: BMW 330I 2001, X5 2001, 525I 2001 +17 more
Related service bulletins
- 10218378Jun 1, 2022A rattling/droning noise is heard in the vehicle interior when the air conditioning (AC) is activated. Vibrations are felt in the driver's footwell.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 330I
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW 330I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology