2001 BMW 330XI Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 52 do-not-drive
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW 330XI (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW 330XI. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (18% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and exterior lighting (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fan 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.
- Air bags2 18%
- Engine cooling2 18%
- Exterior lighting2 18%
- Body and structure2 18%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Engine1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
- Wheels1 9.1%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Vehicle was hit by another driver running a red light. The other driver centered on the driver's side front wheel but damaged the driver's side door and windshield. The driver's door airbag deployed. The driver's side airbag partially deployed. We could see hit hanging from the rear pillar to the front pillar but it was still tubular shaped and did not prevent the driver from hitting her head on the side of the car. The car was totaled. The front panel was compressed all the way to the engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10472559, filed 2012-08, 88,000 milesEngine cooling: “The secondary cooling fan failed causing the expansion tank on our 2001 Bmw 330XI split causing the engine to overheat. We replaced the expansion tank and many related parts including thermostat. No warning lights came on. We believe this failure is close to, but not the same as, the fan failure that you reported on may 16, 2002. (02v138000 , 01v206000 ).”
NHTSA complaint #10410726, filed 2011-07, 169,000 milesExterior lighting: “The brake lights in the tail light assembly have partially failed. One set of brake light bulbs, the dual filament bulbs no longer light when the brake pedal is pressed. The bulbs have been replaced and are in working order so it appears to be an issue with the wiring or the tail light assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10554396, filed 2013-12, 162,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 162,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 BMW 330XI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330xi RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 330xi RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: BMW 330XI 2000–2005, 330CI 2000–2006, M3 2000–2006 +11 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with…
- Air bagsCovers: BMW 330XI 2001–2005, 330I 2001–2006, 325I 2001–2006 +4 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons…
- 21V401000May 27, 2021Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: BMW 330XI 1999–2001, 328I 1999–2001, 323I 1999–2001 +6 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by…
- 02V138000May 16, 2002Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › FanCovers: BMW 330XI 2001, X5 2001, 330I 2001 +17 more
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to…
- 01V206000Jun 21, 2001Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › FanCovers: BMW 330XI 2001, X5 2001, 330I 2001 +17 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the…
Recall details for the 2001 BMW 330XI → · 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. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10218369Jun 1, 2022Body and structure. Whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Steering, Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with…
- 10184591Nov 1, 2020Air bags, Equipment. SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Air bags. Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149558Oct 1, 2018Electrical system, Air bags. For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018Air bags, Electrical system. For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018Air bags. In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will…
Other model years of the BMW 330XI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 104 | 101,000 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 12 | 97,000 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 13 | 105,250 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 33 | 106,000 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 20 | 82,000 | 5 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 11 | 88,000 | 5 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 BMW 330XI have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW 330XI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 BMW 330XI is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (18% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 2001 BMW 330XI been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 330XI get?
The EPA rates the 2001 BMW 330XI (330xi, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 BMW 330XI reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,000 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 162,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.