2021 BMW 330i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 BMW 330i has a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst out of 16 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Electrical system issues (45% of complaints, including 3 fires) and 7 recalls, one involving a starter fire risk, drive the ranking.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 330i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 29
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25.5 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 BMW 330i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe smoke or fire coming from under the hood while driving, sometimes linked to a delayed recall repair.
- Sunroofs reportedly shattered without warning at highway speed, scattering glass onto the road.
- Dashboard warnings for passenger restraint system malfunction appeared, which dealers attributed to a possible wiring harness short.
- Some owners reported sudden unintended acceleration when parking, resulting in a crash and airbag deployment.
- Engine wiring was described as rodent-attractant material that can fail lighting, wipers, and brake lights when chewed through.
- Motor mounts reportedly failed at low mileage, forcing owners to keep driving the car in an unsafe condition until repairs were scheduled.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 330i a complaint index of 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years covered, with an Avoid verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 BMW 330i?
- Electrical system issues make up 45% of complaints (13 of 29), including 3 fires, with a median failure mileage of 32,270.
- Does the 2021 BMW 330i have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 330i, covering the electrical system, seat belts, structure and body, and collision avoidance cameras; one recall advises owners to park outside due to fire risk.
- How does the 2021 330i compare to other 330i years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than 2017 (53), 2018 (67), 2019 (87 is close), and much worse than 2022 (33, rated Good), placing 2021 among the worse years for the 330i.