NHTSA (USA)CriticalPark Outside
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 11 recalls, 50 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 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.
Complaints about the 2020 BMW 330i cluster most heavily around the engine and electrical system. On the engine side, owners report issues including active grille shutter failures, which affect cooling, and at least one report of an alternator failing at relatively low mileage, around 40,000 miles. Electrical system complaints are nearly as frequent, with owners describing a range of faults, though several reports note that dealers were unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle and that no resolution was available at the time of filing. Airbag-related complaints account for a smaller share of the total. A single complaint describes a vehicle fire that occurred while the car was parked, though this appears to be an isolated report rather than a recurring pattern across the complaint set.
50
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 BMW 330i has 11 recalls, the most serious being a starter relay that can corrode, overheat, and short circuit, raising the risk of a vehicle fire.
A steering tie rod can fracture under high temperatures or rough road conditions, reducing handling and steering control. On the engine side, a counterbalance shaft can work loose internally and cause severe engine damage, which can also lead to a loss of vehicle control. Several recalls involve occupant restraint: rear seatbelt pretensioners may not lock in a crash, front airbags and pretensioners on certain vehicles may deploy improperly, and seat frames on some vehicles are not properly welded to their rails, meaning the seat may not hold an occupant during a collision. The headlight control unit can fail and knock out one or both headlights, cutting visibility at night. Two separate recalls cover the rearview camera system, where the backup image can be missing or reduced, leaving the driver without a clear view when reversing. There is also a trunk interior release cable that may be installed incorrectly, preventing someone trapped inside the trunk from getting out. Finally, the audio module software may fail to sound the seatbelt reminder chime for the driver.
At a glance
What can fail
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
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 →
The engine starter relay can corrode, causing it to overheat and short circuit.
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
Front seat belt buckle sensors may incorrectly read a buckled occupant as unbuckled, which could cause airbags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles as needed at no cost to you.
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 headlight control unit may fail, causing one or both headlights to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the headlight control units at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The interior trunk release cable may be installed incorrectly, which could prevent you from opening the trunk from inside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and properly install the trunk release cable as needed at no charge.
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.