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U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw 330E problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

32 owner complaints analyzed

9 distinct recall campaigns

31,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 32 complaints (43.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues1237.5%
Braking behavior825.0%
Engine operation39.4%
Steering behavior39.4%
Transmission and shifting13.1%
Fuel system concerns13.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
14
Engine
14
Unknown Or Other
8
Power Train
7
Service Brakes
5
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Exterior Lighting
2
Steering
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System14
Engine14
Unknown Or Other8
Power Train7
Service Brakes5
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Exterior Lighting2
Steering2

Electrical System: 14; Engine: 14; Unknown Or Other: 8; Power Train: 7; Service Brakes: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Steering: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
1
2017
1
2018
1
2019
1
2020
1
2021
2
2022
6
2023
2
2024
5
2025
5
2026
7
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20161
20171
20181
20191
20201
20212
20226
20232
20245
20255
20267

2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 2; 2024: 5; 2025: 5; 2026: 7

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11488500 · 2022-10-08 (October 8, 2022)

Vehicle disengaged itself from gear while driving on hwy going between 75-85 mph. Failed to re engage into gear when stepping on accelerator causing vehicle to just coast and slow down as fast moving traffic (semis) we’re approaching. Construction zone didn’t have shoulders to pull aside which made situation worst. Car did accelerate after a few attempts. The car did illuminate a “unable to recharge batteries, stop carefully and contact your nearest service shop” just prior to the situation. Seems like the i3 models are currently under a class…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488500 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11006685 · 2017-07-21 (July 21, 2017)

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC AT A SPEED OF 65MPH IN "EDRIVE" MODE. AS EXPECTED, IT SHIFTED FROM ELECTRIC TO COMBUSTION ENGINE AT 65MPH THOUGH THE AT THIS POINT THE CAR STARTED COASTING, AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, EVEN THOUGH THE INDICATOR ON THE GEAR SHIFT SHOWED "D". THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ALSO WENT ON. I FIRST ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH BACK TO ELECTRIC DRIVE ONLY ("MAX EDRIVE MODE") BUT TO NO AVAIL. I THEN DECIDED TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO THE RIGHT OF THE HIGHWAY BUT AFTER I MADE MY WAY TO THE MIDD…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,420 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006685 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11298636 · 2020-01-11 (January 11, 2020)

CAR MAKING A EXPLOSIVE, CRANKING MECHANICAL NOISE UPON UNLOCKING THE CAR BEFORE YOU EVEN OPEN THE DOOR. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUEL PUMP MAKING NOISE FROM INSIDE A GAS TANK. BMW AUTHORIZED DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGED THE NOISE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A "HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP" AND REFER TO THIS AS "NORMAL" I BELIEVE THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM IN THIS CAR AND OTHER SIMILAR MODELS ARE THE RESULT OF DEFECTIVE COMPONENT(S) AND/OR A RESULT OF A FLAWED ENGINEERING. THIS NOISE HOWEVER CONTINUES ON WITH A HUMMING/BUZZING SOUNDS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WHICH ALSO EFFECTS T…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,328 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298636 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11759999 · 2026-08-27 (August 27, 2026)

Component: Engine Cooling System: Turbocharger Coolant Return Line/Fitting (Part # 11538854735). Defect Summary: The factory turbocharger coolant return line on the B48 engine uses a plastic quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring mechanism positioned directly under the turbo. Extreme thermal cycling causes this plastic to degrade, become brittle, and fail or separate without warning, resulting in immediate, catastrophic drainage of pressurized engine coolant. Failure of Manufacturer Requirements: This component fails basic durability, material saf…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11759999 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11635124 · 2025-01-09 (January 9, 2025)

The contact owns a 2018 BMW 330E. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, stalled, and restarted independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced.  The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11635124 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11448905 · 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)

In May 2021 I purchased a 2018 Certified Pre-owned BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid with 20K miles from the BMW dealership at Glendale, CA. My car is under original manufacture warranty to this day but I also have paid for an extra warranty and maintenance program. On December 26th, 2021, as I was driving back from Las Vegas on highway 15, about 40 miles into the trip, my car dash displayed an error message "Charging Malfunction" immediately after this error, the entire car systems INCLUDING BREAKS AND STEERING WHEEL! stopped working. I lost control …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448905 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11590355 · 2024-05-23 (May 23, 2024)

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 20…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590355 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11444952 · 2021-12-25 (December 25, 2021)

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 d…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444952 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2016
0
2017
0
2018
2
2020
1
2021
5
2022
0
2023
2
2024
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20160
20170
20182
20201
20215
20220
20232
20240

2016: 0; 2017: 0; 2018: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 0; 2023: 2; 2024: 0

Year-by-year records

Bmw 330E model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
201610Not available
20171000
201862+2
202001Not available
202145+4
202220-5
202362+2
202430-2