The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V441000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times and informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The worst 2017 BMW 330E problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical7
- Engine5
- Transmission3
- Body1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical7
- Engine5
- Transmission3
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 BMW 330E 304
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has...
- The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific)...
- BMW of North America, LLC(BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty forthe vehicle’s Brake Servo Unit’s...
- Component-Specific Extended Limited Warranty (ELW) Issues with the fuel supply module/level sensor...
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Diesel fuel injectors: ltd wty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles
- Pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles
- After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes...
- Exterior rear lights do not work.
What 2017 BMW 330E owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact stated that after parking in the driveway at the residence and turning off the vehicle, there was a sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact immediately disconnected the auxiliary battery, but the clicking noise persisted. The contact opened the hood and discovered smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department was called to the residence, but the flames had self-extinguished. The Fire Department inspected under the hood of the vehicle and confirmed that there was a small. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with starter failure. The starter failure had caused the fire. The starter was replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V441000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); but the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Component: Engine Cooling System: Turbocharger Coolant Return Line/Fitting (Part # 11538854735). Defect Summary: The factory turbocharger coolant return line on the B48 engine uses a plastic quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring mechanism positioned directly under the turbo. Extreme thermal cycling causes this plastic to degrade, become brittle, and fail or separate without warning, resulting in immediate, catastrophic drainage of pressurized engine coolant. Failure of Manufacturer Requirements: This component fails basic durability, material safety, and engineering standards for pressurized cooling systems. The design is so fundamentally flawed that authorized factory-trained technicians cannot permanently remedy it using OEM parts; the connection mechanism fails to maintain a pressurized seal under standard operational heat. Freeway Safety Incident: While traveling at high speeds in high-velocity freeway traffic, the fitting failed catastrophically without warning. The sudden coolant loss forced an immediate engine stall/power failure in active lanes. Navigating the powerless vehicle out of the middle of the freeway while surrounding traffic swerved nearly caused a severe, high-speed multi-vehicle collision. Inadequate Remedy & Recurrence: The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership (BMW of the Woodlands, TX) for repair. However, within one week of dealership service, the new OEM line/O-ring completely disconnected again. This recurring separation completely drains the coolant within days, causing subsequent engine stalls, rendering the car undrivable, and repeatedly placing occupants in extreme danger. Thermal & Fire Hazard: Each failure sprays pressurized coolant onto a hot turbocharger and exhaust manifold, creating immediate risks of blinding smoke, vision obscuration, and engine bay ignition, compounded by thermal risks to the 330e hybrid powertrain battery electronics.
Hybrid battery has a failed cell. It was confirmed by BMW diagnostics but BMW refused to repair/replace failed cell even though it was under full 8yr/80k mile warranty. BMW claimed it as wear and tear, even though 1 out of 5 cells completely failed. The failure caused the car to run at reduced speeds causing others cars around me on the freeway to be in danger as all of sudden I am unable to reach freeway speeds due to part failure. There was an error stored in the car per BMW diagnostics that called for failed Cell to be replaced per notes of the technician who ran the diagnostics. The vehicle was inspected and confirmed by BMW. Yes, there was an error on the infotainment of the car. I advised of the error to BMW.
Unsure of the exact cause, appears to be the high voltage battery/electric drive function that is faulty. It is creating a hazardous condition causing the vehicle to propel itself forward while driving in traffic and almost hitting other vehicles on the roadway when the electric drive fails or it switches between battery and the engine. If it’s not propelling itself forward, it’s unexpectedly decreasing power and preventing the vehicle from driving after stopping for traffic, traffic signals and traffic signs. Increasing the risk for a rear-end collision. The electric drive is failing & rapidly switching between battery & engine multiple times in a short period. Likely increasing risk for a fire hazard. This is putting the driver & others on the roadway at risk due to increased collision and fire risks. Ferman BMW has recreated the issue. They advised it needed 2 new batteries, standard and the auxiliary battery. Those were replaced and the vehicle still is having issues. Six replaced 3 times. They now blame it on the high voltage batteries & their age. HV batteries are covered under warranty, yet Ferman BMW states they are not because there’s no fault code. Their position is the electric drive malfunction message is a notification & not a fault code. Despite duplicating the issues, having notice of the hazard they refuse to fix it. The message states “ Electric drive is temporarily restricted. You can continue driving. After cooling/heating of high-voltage battery full electric drive power will immediately be available.” A brief search will reveal many others with the same issue and some were successful in getting it handled under warranty. The car has been inspected by Ferman BMW 6 times. This is an ongoing issue with this model and a hazard to the driver, passengers and others on the roadways. Similar issues: [XXX] [XXX] Issue started 2022 car was only 5 yrs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Coolant lines How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car would state that it is overheating a month after oil change and fluids replaced Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer confirmed that there is a coolant issue Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It has been inspected by the dealership. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Engine light, coolant low warning, overheat warning, I am also having issues with car start/stop controls. With my car at 58k miles on it I don’t think the auxiliary battery should be having issues like it does. I read that some starters could be the issue but there is no recall on my vehicle which is in the USA. I have only had the car for 5 months and have significant auxiliary battery issues which ping off a lot of different sensors. They are listed in the photo.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger’s side door handles were sticky, soft, and melting. There was also an unknown residue on the door handles. The contact attempted to clean the door handles but they continued to leave black residue on the occupant's hands. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Car won’t start, I brought a new battery and still won’t start. No electricity running through the car at all. I haven’t even had it a year yet. 44,000 miles on it!
While the car was plugged in overnight in the garage, (it is a hybrid), a terrible odor was released and carbon monoxide was detected. Fire department was called twice (this occurred two nights in a row) and detected high levels of co from inside the car and from the hood. We needed to evacuate the house each time. Gas company and plumber confirmed there was no other issues in garage. Upon removal of the car, issues no longer persist. Bmw cannot find anything wrong with the car, but I refuse to take the car back, given safety for my family. The vehicle was parked, turned off, locked, and charging overnight.
I'm leasing bmw 330e. In november 2017 I brought it with 5,800 miles for maintenance to the weatherford bmw; was advised tread of rear set of tires is dangerously shallow, under 5 mm. They also told me that front set is still ok with 6 mm, but soon neend to be also replaced. I contacted the bmw na, offered a 50% discount on a set of new tires. This october 2018 at 2nd service service I was advised that the thread now on the rear set is under 3 mm and presents a safety hazard to continue to operate. The front set of tires has only 4 mm remaining thread. The vehicle has only 11,250 miles on the odometer. When I called the bma na about their last year offer, I was told that they have "taken the offer off the table". Bmw bill for the new 2 tire set with balancing and allignment at $1,006.60 is attached to this email. These are run-flat continental contiprocontact tires. The continental tires company has responded to my online inquiry with the answer that the original tires on the new cars have no treadwear warranty, but the replacement of the same new tires does come with a 40,000 miles treadwear warranty. Bmw service charges $500- plus per tire for replacent, including the balancing, allignment and tax. Since the average mileage in the USA per car driven is abount 12,000 miles annually and the bmw vehicles owners, or a lessees are supposed to change it after just 12,000 because the new tires are worn and have no factory, or tire manufacturer's warranty, that means that the annual cost for tires of one bmw vehicle is $2,000-. That is unacceptible and is a deceiving practice. I suspect that bmw factory in germany purposely equipping their new vehciles with substandard quality unwarranted continental run-flat tires to wreck on unsuspecting USA consumers the cost of annual replacement worth of $2,0000- plus annually, or $500- plus per tire. Please investigate.
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Questions about the 2017 BMW 330E
Is the 2017 BMW 330E reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2017 BMW 330E, 1.7 times a typical 330E model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 BMW 330E?
Electrical system, with 7 complaints. Next is engine (5).
How many recalls does the 2017 BMW 330E have?
No recalls on record.
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