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EnginePart report

2020 BMW 330I Engine Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
36%of 53 total for the year
Median mileage
41,571miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine of the 2020 BMW 330I, 36% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,571 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The Oil filter housing on my BMW 330i failed randomly while driving causing my vehicle to be depleted off coolant within seconds. If you want to inspect the part you will have to reach out to bmw of Columbus for documentation and I can provide the service records for repair. This caused my vehicle to have to be brought to an immediate halt to not cause overheating or engine destroying failure at a time where service/repair isn’t available. There were no warning lights or leaks prior to the vehicle malfunctioning all at once. …”

NHTSA complaint #11671613, filed 2025-07

“I am not sure this the the right form for filing my complaint. I was issued a recall letter in November about my car catching on fire. I have seen videos of other BMWs catching on fire. I am not sure if legally I can take it to a mechanic? What if something happens while it is at the mechanic? Legally do I have to take it to the dealership? What if it catches on fire and my neighbors property gets damaged? I have called and email BMW but no response. I need to take my BMW in for other issues but live out in the country, what are we suppose to do? It has been several months. …”

NHTSA complaint #11715622, filed 2026-02

“My car was parked at home and hadnt been driven in hours. My neighbor contacted me, saying that my car was on fire. I went outside, and it was on fire, and the fire department was called. After BMW conducted an investigation, they deemed the car fire to be related to the active recall. The manufacturer (BMW) is violating the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S Code Section 30120) by refusing a remedy without charge for recall 24V-536. A manufacturer is required to provide a remedy for a safety recall without charge. BMW is offering a loan payoff (21,851.37). …”

NHTSA complaint #11729470, filed 2026-04

“I started my vicheal up and turned the heater on on my 330i 2020i bmw I sat there for about 15 mins and noticed a smoke smell I stepped out my car and realized my car was on fire! No sensors went off saying car had any issues regarding coolant or engine oil or anything so I have zero idea what started my car fire Police and fire rescue was there Fire investigation is making a report an insurance representative will be inspecting From what I see online bmw was been having issues with 3 series randomly catching fire either by faulty water pump? By a short circuit? …”

NHTSA complaint #11635181, filed 2025-01

“Both the UPPER and LOWER active grille shutters for most BMW models in the 5 model years prior to mine had extended service warranties due to frequent failures of the part. It appears that the design was not improved with my model year and yet my vehicle is NOT part of the extended warranty. My vehicle is only 4 years old and BOTH the upper and lower air flap control motors have failed. The motors are not sold individually, but are sold as a part of the entire shutter assembly which has a part cost of $250 - $350 each with comparable installation costs. …”

NHTSA complaint #11565049, filed 2024-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025117%
2021828%
20201936%
2019922%
20181238%
20172048%
2006167%
200514%
200212%
200122%

Other parts of the 2020 BMW 330I

Electrical system
20 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 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