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BMW 330IModel year report

2021 BMW 330I Problems

Compared with other BMW 330I years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2018

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,270miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 26 city / 36 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 BMW 330I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW 330I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (45% of the total), followed by engine (8) and other or unknown (5). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,270 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 202 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the relay and 82 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 BMW 330I model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My BMW 330i 2021 caught on fire while I was driving. Smoke came from the hood, and I open the hood and seen the Fire, and I called the Newark NJ Fire Department. see attached photo of the BMW after the fire.”

NHTSA complaint #11690303, filed 2025-09

Engine: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11732736, filed 2026-04

Other or unknown: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11718178, filed 2026-02

Air bags: “Message on Console - Passenger Restraint system malfunction . Took vehicle in for Repair; BMW Dealership thinks it may be a wiring harness electrical short. They evidently need to discuss problem with BMW Corporate to figure out to properly diagnose problem and how to repair. My husband and I are very concerned about driving this car even after it may be so called repaired. We are concerned that if an accident does occur, and one or more of the airbags do not deploy; there may be serious injury or death to myself, my husband, grandkids, or other passengers.”

NHTSA complaint #11477793, filed 2022-08

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,868 and 33,672 miles.

0%0–100%10–25100%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,270 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2022202320242025122026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 BMW 330I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
3 Series · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 9.2% risk
3 Series · sedan RWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 9.2% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2022: 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 2021 BMW 330I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
330i RWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic263630$2,750
330i xDrive AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic253428$2,950

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

See all 7 recalls for the 2021 BMW 330I → · 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. 202 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 202 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 330I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20256—1—31—Too new
202468,0002—29—Too new
20226—3530—Not enough data
20212932,270753050 · TypicalRising
20205334,00011—3068 · MoreRising
20194113,000953068 · MoreRising
20183236,50015270 · FewerRising
20174230,20005270 · FewerRising
200621985,5007—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052877,2504—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200411399,4804—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20037781,5006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20024579,0006—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200111691,4537—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW 330I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 BMW 330I have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW 330I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 BMW 330I is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (45% of the total), followed by engine with 8.

Has the 2021 BMW 330I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 BMW 330I do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 BMW 330I 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 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 2021 BMW 330I get?

The EPA rates the 2021 BMW 330I (330i, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 26 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 BMW 330I reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,270 miles and the middle half falls between 30,868 and 33,672 miles; 100% 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.