NHTSA (USA)CriticalPark Outside
At a glance
What can fail
The engine starter relay can corrode, causing it to overheat and short circuit.
This page covers 9 recalls, 38 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 BMW 330i.
30 mpg combined
7.8 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Engine and cooling system complaints dominate what owners report for the 2019 BMW 330i. The most common pattern involves cooling system failures, specifically coolant leaks from the heat management module and oil filter housing, sometimes appearing at relatively low mileage around 40,000 miles. Owners describe symptoms including coolant loss, an inoperative heater, and concerns about overheating, with some reporting the issue recurred after a repair. Powertrain complaints include a shudder under acceleration that persisted even after transfer case fluid was changed. Electrical system complaints round out the next tier, though those reports are fewer and less detailed in the available data. The cooling-related failures are the clearest recurring theme, with multiple owners describing the same component combination, heat management module and oil filter housing, as the source of the leaks.
38
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 BMW 330i has 9 recalls, the most serious being a potential engine failure where a loosening counterbalance shaft can cause severe internal damage and raise the risk of a crash, and a starter relay that can corrode, overheat, and short circuit, creating a fire risk.
A steering tie rod can fracture under high temperatures or rough road conditions, reducing the driver's ability to control the vehicle. On the occupant restraint side, the rear outboard seatbelt pretensioners may not lock in a crash, and the seat frame may not be properly welded to the seat rails, both of which can allow occupants to move too freely in a collision. Some 330i xDrive Sportswagon models also have knee airbags that were improperly folded and may not deploy correctly. The rearview camera can either display a reduced image or fail to show any image at all when reversing, limiting what the driver can see behind the vehicle. There is also a software issue where the seatbelt reminder chime may not sound, leaving the driver without an audible prompt to buckle up.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine starter relay can corrode, causing it to overheat and short circuit.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine starter at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The receiver audio module software may fail to produce audible seat belt warning alerts to the driver.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the receiver audio module software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat frame may not be properly welded to the seat rails, which could affect seat stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When shifting into Reverse, the rearview camera display may show a partially obscured image or fail to illuminate, reducing rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and update the rearview camera software as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions like high temperatures and rough roads, the steering gear tie rod can become damaged and possibly fracture, affecting steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners may fail to lock properly during a crash, reducing restraint effectiveness.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear seat belts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The needle roller bearings on the counterbalance shafts may have been installed incorrectly, which could cause the counterbalance shaft to become loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup camera display can be adjusted to hide the rear view image, and the vehicle remembers this setting when put in reverse, leaving the screen blank.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the backup camera software at no cost to restore the display functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger knee air bags may have been folded and assembled incorrectly, potentially affecting how they deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the knee air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.