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2001 BMW 330CI problems

The most common problem on the 2001 BMW 330CI is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 141,889 miles. It has 1.8 times the complaints of a typical 330CI model year.

Typical year1.8x the typical complaints
Year score
50/100
Owner complaints
82
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
17
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
20-21mpg

The worst 2001 BMW 330CI problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 BMW 330CI

Headlights 5

Recalls 5

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V‑851, 19V852, or 19V‑853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk
The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 21V401000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 20V018000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported November 26, 2019 · 74,185 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 19V853000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported May 16, 2002 · 1,550 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 stop operating.
Risk
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 02V138000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported June 21, 2001 · 76,469 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 fan to stop operating.
Risk
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 01V206000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2001 BMW 330CI

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 330CI 17

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 17 bulletins for the 2001 BMW 330CI

2001 BMW 330CI fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylRWD17-1825-2720-21

What 2001 BMW 330CI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Lights · 120,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330CI. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH at night, the front headlights were flickering on and off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330 Ci. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head-on crash. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights. The contact stated that the front end was crumpled past the wheel wells and almost to the firewall. The front end frame had buckled. The contact stated that all the air bags had deployed except for the driver's air bag and both side curtain air bags. The contact had received cuts on both hands and had neck and back pains. The contact stated that emergency medical services had arrived but he was not treated or transported to an ER. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured, and both vehicles were towed away. The contact had his vehicle towed to his residence. The police were on the scene and had written a report. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that he had received the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V047000 (Air Bags) from the manufacturer, however, the dealer would not perform the work on his vehicle when he had attempted to set a recall appointment. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

Gas tank strap that holds up the gas tank tore off on the part that is supposed to be welded on the car. One end is bolted on, the other has a welded bracket. That bracket broke off and my gas tank and bracket were dragging until I pulled off of the road. Luckily the entire gas tank didn’t fall out because if it would have, the tank would’ve broke and caused a massive spill of gas, since the tank was full of fuel. There is no warning lamps for this, a weld shouldn’t just break off, and I can’t find any replacements to fix it or replace it at all.

Filed May 26, 2021 · Tires · FL

Tire exploded and completely blew off the wheel while driving at 45 MPH. Yes, there are two exact Luckily the position of the vehicle, time of day, and other vehicles all aligned to prevent further destruction/collision. Yes, it was inspected today, 5.26.2021.

Filed Aug 31, 2020 · Fuel system · 198,000 miles · CA

The welds on the front strap that holds the gas tank in place broke while driving,resulting in gas tank dropping half way during driving. There is no other device holding the gas tank making the vehicle unsafe and inoperable.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Fuel system · 168,000 miles · AZ

Strap that suspends the fuel tank broke causing the fuel tank to hang and almost touch the ground. The vehicle was in motion at a slow rate of speed on a city street.

Filed Mar 6, 2019 · Electrical · CA · fire

My car had been sitting unused since 6:00pm the previous day. At 6:30am I had entered my car parked at pacific coast highway and anaheim street in long beach,ca. (which is a surface street). I started my car then drove a half of a block then stopped and turned off my car at the store 7/11. I went in made a purchase came out my car. I started my car and then left 7-eleven driving down anaheim about .2-.3 miles. I came to the light at anaheim street and park. Both surface streets. I was in the turn lane to turn left onto park. I began smelling something electrical. The time was 6:40 am. I leaned my head out the window and could not smell the electrical smell outside. I discerned that this was coming from inside the car. There was no visible reason for the smell at this time.the light changed I turned left onto park. As I began to turn left white to grey smoke began coming out of the driver side vent which is lower by door and that faces the driver. I got out of my car. I ran over to another vehicle to see if they had a fire extinguisher. He said he would find it. I returned to my car and black smoke began rolling out of the drivers side door. Flames began engulfing the dashboard. Two gentleman came over, one with a fire extinguisher and began spraying into the dashboard. The other gentleman went around to the trunk and disconnected the battery. The last time I had something done to the vehicle was bmw replacing the airbag for a recall. There was no reason for the fire.

Filed Aug 25, 2018 · Electrical · 116,500 miles · NJ

Ground wire to twilights can't handle current and therefore blows out and triggers the light control module which makes the headlights flicker and die prematurely and causes lights on the dash that are in accurate

Filed Aug 25, 2018 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · NJ

In motion transmission down shifts, clunk then exclamation point appear next to dashboard gear indicator.1st gear disappears-therefore dangerously slow takeoff speed.

Filed Jan 20, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 170,903 miles · FL

The spark plugs and coils that where installed in my bmw at the bmw service center did not work proplerly or where installed properly they didn't even give me a warranty time frame it only ran 4,000 more miles since they did a service on it my car just stoped working it wouldn't turn on anymore I don't want this happening to anyone else they put my life at risk and anyone in the car with me or around it could have just stoped in the middle of the street but thankfully I was at a parking lot I just would like the bmw service center to be more cautious about what they do and to repair my car the right way they used parts that stoped working.

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Questions about the 2001 BMW 330CI

Is the 2001 BMW 330CI reliable?

Owners have filed 82 complaints about the 2001 BMW 330CI, 1.8 times a typical 330CI model year.

What is the 2001 BMW 330CI year score?

The 2001 BMW 330CI scores 50 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 330CI: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 330CI?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 18 complaints, typically around 141,889 miles. Next is airbags (17).

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 330CI have?

5 recalls, covering air bags and engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 330CI get?

Official estimates for the 2001 BMW 330CI range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 25-27 highway.

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