I am getting error code 21A50A and 216115 which Starter Overheating that can cause fire. Similar error code were coming on other cars and BMW have recalled it the recall number is 26V056. I ask BMW and the federal safety agency to include 330E in this recall as 330E is similar to 330I. 330I and 330E uses same parts and similar design and excluding the 330E from this recall doesn't make sense.
The worst 2021 BMW 330E problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine3
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine3
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
Recalls 5
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417; 1‑866‑825‑1525 (MINI); 1‑877‑877‑3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1‑888‑270‑9371 (Toyota).
Recall number 21V554000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.
- Risk
- An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 21V298000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 21V096000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
- Risk
- The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V601000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
- Risk
- A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V490000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2021 BMW 330E
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 BMW 330E 217
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS)...
- A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction indicator...
- The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or...
- Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care
- An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in...
- 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...
- At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking,...
- A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP)...
- The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3)....
What 2021 BMW 330E owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1. The engine starter motor (specifically the pinion starter) has failed, and the auxiliary battery is also showing reduced capacity (only a portion of its 660 cold cranking amps). The vehicle is currently at a service center where the technician has diagnosed these issues. The components should be available for inspection upon request, as they have not yet been replaced. 2. The failure of the starter motor and battery primarily affects the vehicle's ability to start. While this could potentially strand you in an unsafe location, the information provided does not indicate any specific safety incident or risk that occurred during operation. No direct safety hazard has been reported. 3. Yes, a technician has diagnosed the problem and confirmed a fault code in the drivetrain related to the failed starter motor. The technician also identified the auxiliary battery's reduced output. This confirmation comes from a service center, which could be a dealer or independent shop. 4. The only inspection mentioned is by the technician at the service center. There is no indication that the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others have inspected the vehicle or components. 5. Yes. Prior to the failure, when starting the car in the early morning, a "drive train service" message appeared on the display, advising you to visit a service center as soon as possible. This warning was the first symptom of the problem before the starter ultimately failed and the battery drained. This aligns with the technician's diagnosis of a drivetrain fault code related to the starter motor.
On 5/22/24 had a catastrophic failure of the Electric Motor Electronics and 12v Battery. I have requested that the BMW Serice Assistant provide me with all affected parts for inspection. Shutdown of the vehicle high voltage system could result in a crash. When this part fails along with the 12v battery you lose control of all vehicle electronics (steering, braking, electrical power, and propulsion). Yes, there was a previous voluntary recall campaign 19V-599s Service Information Bulletin (Revision 2) which replaced SI B12 27 19 dated October 2019 by BMW for this device. The vehicle and component has been inspected by the Richmond BMW Service Technician. I started to experience problems with the vehicle in late April and took it in for servicing and repair in early May. I was told that the problem was a computer programming recall that was fixed.
In Buford GA at the corner of Elm Tree Terrace and Buford Dam road, I was waiting for the light to turn on a decline. It is important to note that the car was driving in all-electric mode on a full charge. Once the light turned green I stepped on the accelerator to go and the car stalled. I believe the transmission slipped. The gears caught at high torque and jolted the car involuntarily forward. I didn't notice it at first but after a couple of sleepless nights with shoulder pain: I got an MRI and was found to have a torn rotator cuff. It is difficult to associate the injury as it is hard to access the force applied to the jolt. The only word I can use to describe the force of the jolt was violent. I believe there is a safety issue when a high torque electric motor is being run through a slipping or failing transmission and I suspect as a result I have suffered a injury as a result.
Compare the 2021 BMW 330E
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Questions about the 2021 BMW 330E
Is the 2021 BMW 330E reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2021 BMW 330E, fewer than a typical 330E model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 BMW 330E?
Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is electrical (2).
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW 330E have?
5 recalls, covering seat belts, back over prevention and electrical system.
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