2019 BMW 330i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 BMW 330i has a complaint index of 87, the third-worst of all model years tracked, and carries 9 recall campaigns. NHTSA lists 41 complaints, with Engine and Electrical System issues making up over half of them, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other 330i years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 87/100
- #3 of 16 330i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 41
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2019 BMW 330i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (27%)
- Electrical System10 (24%)
- Other10 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (12%)
- Airbags4 (10%)
- Brakes3 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
- Lane Departure2 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden underhood smoke followed by visible flames while driving at low speed, requiring fire department response.
- Some vehicles have caught fire while parked in a driveway, in one case linked to a recall notice the owner had just received.
- Drivers describe the dashboard going completely black and the engine stalling on the highway before restarting with warning lights.
- The driver-side airbag has deployed unexpectedly after minor road debris contact, causing injury.
- Original-equipment Pirelli tires have blown out on the sidewall with low mileage and no impact, sometimes twice on the same vehicle.
- Owners describe the steering wheel locking up and the car veering toward oncoming traffic shortly after leaving the dealer.
2019 BMW 330i recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V636000Sep 23, 2025Electrical System199,674 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:starter assembly:relay
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
- NHTSA 23V584000Aug 16, 2023Electrical System144 vehicles
Electrical system:software
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 23V211000Mar 29, 2023Structure & Body51 vehicles
Seats
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2019 BMW 330i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other 330i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW 330i reliable?
- Compared with other 330i model years, the 2019 ranks poorly. NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 87, the third-highest among all years tracked, plus 9 recall campaigns.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2019 BMW 330i?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, accounting for 27% of complaints (11 of 41), with a median mileage at failure of 47,950 miles. Electrical System issues follow closely at 24%.
- Does the 2019 BMW 330i have fire risk?
- NHTSA complaints for this year include 5 fire reports, several involving engine or electrical system components, some occurring while the vehicle was parked.
- How many recalls does the 2019 BMW 330i have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2019 330i, covering electrical system, engine, seat belts, steering, structure/body, and collision avoidance camera issues.
- How does the 2019 330i compare to other years?
- The 2019 330i has a complaint index of 87 and ranks third-worst among 16 model years with data, worse than 2017, 2018, and 2022, which carry Caution or Good verdicts.