2001 BMW 330I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 20%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,900miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 BMW 330I, 20% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,900 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a Bmw 2001 3330i. The car has 120,000 miles on it. I have had the car for one year, purchased used with 106,000 miles. I was backing out of my driveway when suddenly and without warning, the reverse gear disengaged. The reverse gear has not worked since, approximately two weeks. The other gears work fine. The car has an automatic transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10273688, filed 2009-06, 119,800 miles“2001 Bmw 330I, 88,500 miles. Reverse failed completely without warning. The car has the zf5hp19 transmission which seems to have the common problem of the d-g clutch drum failing. The car was well maintained with no symptoms leading up to the failure. My mechanic replaced the reverse drum at a cost of $2116.34. I have a copy of the service order and have in my possession the failed part.”
NHTSA complaint #10262593, filed 2009-03, 88,569 miles“My 2001 Bmw 330I stopped going in reverse last wednesday. Apparently, this is a known issue, as I was very suprised to see dozens of websites dedicated to this no reverse issue. How come there was no recall for this common failure?”
NHTSA complaint #10437563, filed 2011-11, 89,200 miles“2001 330I Bmw ,81000 miles no warning lost reverse, while on a downward slope trying to back into a parking space,almost hit the car parked in front of me, had to have 3 valet guys push me into the parking space. Then the next day my husband took it out at first it went into reverse so he drove it parked tried to back up the car no reverse, someone pushed the car back for him it hit another car and damaged the headlight and dented it.”
NHTSA complaint #10279095, filed 2009-08, 86,530 miles“The metal strap that supports the passenger side of the fuel tank just broke off. I was driving down the street and heard a pop sound and then metal grinding and jumping around (like a needle on a scratched record/ a cd) the bracket to which the forward end of this strap mounted to the underbody broke free leaving a gash like tear on the underbody. I am having the car serviced for repairs, but when I called the dealership the parts department didn't have any fixable solution for the mishap. …”
NHTSA complaint #10471001, filed 2012-08, 169,500 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 12% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 5% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 9% |
| 2001 | 23 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 330I
35 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 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 30, 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