Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 330 xi. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the rear light warning on the instrument panel illuminated. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the tail lamp connector was melted. The contact stated that connector number three melted on both ends. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000. The VIN was not available.
The worst 2001 BMW 330XI problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine3
- Airbags2
- Body2
- Lights2
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine3
- Airbags2
- Body2
- Lights2
- Brakes1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls 5
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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 module
- 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
- What is wrong
- 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; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recall number 14V428000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- 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: fan
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 330XI 17
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal...
- Service action
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement. customer support program. front driver side airbag modules.
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes...
2001 BMW 330XI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-18 | 23-25 | 18-20 |
What 2001 BMW 330XI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
We have been waiting for over 6months since the recall letter was received. The dealer has a waiting list of over 300 cars, and has not even started doing the work required for this recall. I am not complaining about the dealer as bmw USA has not started shipping the parts. What is being done to get this issue resolved??
Car had not been driven all day until evening when I drove car 4-5 miles to one residence, continued with passenger for another few miles to another residence, parked and turned off the car. Remained in car briefly while finishing a conversation when noticed gray/white smoke coming from under hood on passenger side of car. Got out of vehicle, called for help from resident. When use of 2 personal extinguishers didn't help, called fire department who responded and put out the fire. Fire department report notes engine compartment was fully involved when they arrived and appears fire started in right front corner, but unable to make fire cause determination due to heavy fire involvement. Insurance company has declared it a total loss.
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.
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.
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 ).
The expansion tank on our 2001 bmw 330xi split causing the engine to fail. The vehicle had less than 48,000 miles of use. We replaced the engine and many related parts including the expansion tank and radiator. No warning lights came on until after the engine overheated and the car was in the dealer's repair shop. We believe this failure is close to, but not the same as, the fan failure that you reported on may 16, 2002.
2001 - 330xi - 50000 miles, rear subframe torn out on left side, right side cracked!
On four separate occasions, while driving on new jersey roads (two times on major roads) my vehicle struck a pot hole and the inside portion of the rim bent. I have replaced the rims with aftermarket aluminum alloy rims. According to wheel collision experts of allentown pa. Bmw rims are there biggest customer. I have been driving in n.j. For 31 years and these are my first rim failures. I still have three rims available for inspection. These failures occured with only 22,000 miles on the car.
In snowy conditions the anti-lockbrakes failed, causing vehicle to skid. *ak the tires had 1/2 tread life. The dealer blamed the tires. (tire, anti-lock brakes, and or awd was the problem)
Compare the 2001 BMW 330XI
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Questions about the 2001 BMW 330XI
Is the 2001 BMW 330XI reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2001 BMW 330XI, fewer than a typical 330XI model year.
What is the 2001 BMW 330XI year score?
The 2001 BMW 330XI scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 330XI: 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 330XI?
Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is airbags (2).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 330XI have?
5 recalls, covering air bags and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2001 BMW 330XI engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 02V138000, 01V206000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 330XI get?
Official estimates for the 2001 BMW 330XI range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-18 city and 23-25 highway.
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