2021 BMW 330i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#3 most-complained of 11 330i years
The 2021 BMW 330i has 29 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 3rd-worst among 11 model years — an Avoid year relative to other 330i years. Electrical System issues dominate at 45% of complaints, including 3 fire reports.
- Complaints
- 29
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25.5 city / 35 hwy
Top 2021 BMW 330i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System13 (45%)
- Engine9 (31%)
- Other5 (17%)
- Airbags4 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (10%)
- Lane Departure2 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the engine starter overheating and producing smoke or fire while driving, tied to a recall for the electrical system.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration when parking, with the brakes failing to stop the car before a collision.
- Sunroofs have shattered without impact while driving on the highway, scattering glass onto the road.
- Owners report a passenger restraint system malfunction warning appearing on the dashboard, with dealers suspecting a wiring harness short.
- Some describe motor mounts failing at low mileage on a certified pre-owned vehicle.
- Drivers report the Drive Assistance and lane departure systems intermittently switching on and off in rain or darkness.
2021 BMW 330i recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V056000Jan 30, 2026Electrical System87,394 vehicles
Electrical system:starter assembly
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
- 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.
2021 BMW 330i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 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.
2021 compared with other 330i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 BMW 330i reliable?
- Compared with other 330i model years, the 2021 ranks 3rd-worst out of 11 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 29 complaints and 7 recalls for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW 330i?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 45% of complaints (13 total) and including 3 fire reports at a median mileage of 33,672 miles. Engine issues follow at 31% of complaints.
- Does the 2021 BMW 330i have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2021 330i, covering the electrical system (including an engine starter fire risk), seat belts, and structure and body components like the seat frame.
- How does the 2021 330i compare to other years?
- The 2021 330i's Complaint Index of 80 is worse than the 2022 (20), 2023 (30), and 2017 (50) model years, but better than the 2020 330i, which has the highest index at 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 BMW 330i?
- The 2021 330i is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined (25.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750.