2021 BMW 330I Electrical Relay Recall (25V636)
BMW of North America, LLC · 199,674 vehicles · Reported September 23, 2025
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 199,674 2022 BMW 230I; 2021 BMW 330I; 2021-2022 BMW 430I; 2021-2022 BMW 430I Convertible; 2021-2022 BMW 530I; 2021-2022 BMW X3; 2021-2022 BMW X4; 2021-2022 BMW Z4; 2021-2022 Toyota Supra vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit. A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Park outside and away from buildings until it is repaired.
Recall 25V636 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V636000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | September 23, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2022 BMW 230I; 2021 BMW 330I; 2021-2022 BMW 430I; 2021-2022 BMW 430I Convertible; 2021-2022 BMW 530I; 2021-2022 BMW X3; 2021-2022 BMW X4; 2021-2022 BMW Z4; 2021-2022 Toyota Supra |
| Units affected | 199,674 |
| Component | Electrical System > Starter Assembly > Relay |
| Safety risk | A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 BMW 330I in recall 25V636?
The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 330I with recall 25V636?
Park it outside. NHTSA lists a fire risk for recall 25V636, so keep the vehicle away from buildings until it is repaired.
NHTSA lists this as a Park Outside recall because of a fire risk. Park the vehicle outside and away from buildings until the repair is done, even if you have not noticed any problem.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V636?
Recall 25V636 covers 199,674 vehicles: 2022 BMW 230I; 2021 BMW 330I; 2021-2022 BMW 430I; 2021-2022 BMW 430I Convertible; 2021-2022 BMW 530I; 2021-2022 BMW X3; 2021-2022 BMW X4; 2021-2022 BMW Z4; 2021-2022 Toyota Supra.
NHTSA lists 199,674 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | BMW | 230I |
| 2021 | BMW | 330I |
| 2021-2022 | BMW | 430I |
| 2021-2022 | BMW | 430I Convertible |
| 2021-2022 | BMW | 530I |
| 2021-2022 | BMW | X3 |
| 2021-2022 | BMW | X4 |
| 2021-2022 | BMW | Z4 |
| 2021-2022 | Toyota | Supra |
What is the fix for the 330I electrical relay recall?
Yes. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.
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.
When was recall 25V636 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 25V636 to NHTSA on September 23, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 6, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 23, 2025 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V636000. |
| February 6, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 12 months ago. If your 330I was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my 330I is part of recall 25V636?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V636 is open on your 330I, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V636000 is open on your 330I, it will be listed there. You can also ask any BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should 330I owners do about recall 25V636?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V636000 applies to your 330I.
- Park outside and away from buildings until the repair is done.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any relay symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are 330I owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 82 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 25V636 was reported on September 23, 2025, owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 5 of them (8%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the electrical system and were received on or after September 23, 2025, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 303 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 82 of them involve the electrical system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 BMW X3: 111 complaints in total, 33 about the electrical system
- 2022 BMW X3: 78 complaints in total, 14 about the electrical system
- 2021 BMW 330I: 29 complaints in total, 13 about the electrical system
- 2021 Toyota Supra: 20 complaints in total, 7 about the electrical system
- 2021 BMW 530I: 17 complaints in total, 4 about the electrical system
- 2021 BMW 430I: 15 complaints in total, 6 about the electrical system
- 2022 BMW 530I: 8 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
- 2022 BMW 430I: 8 complaints in total, 2 about the electrical system
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2022 BMW 230I. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact's son attempted to start the vehicle again, and the check engine warning light was blinking.
2022 BMW 230I owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11759476, filed August 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the remote starter of the vehicle had failed to function as intended, and the key fob was inoperable.
2021 BMW 530I owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11701909, filed November 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The contact called a local dealer several times and was advised that the part for the recall repair was not yet available.
2021 BMW 530I owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11702557, filed December 2, 2025
Can recall 25V636 make my 330I a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same relay problem is common in lemon law claims.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 BMW 330I has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the 330I went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your 330I been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW 330I recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V636
Did the recall 25V636 fix work?
Since recall 25V636 was reported on September 23, 2025, owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 5 of them (8%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed February 6, 2026.
Is the 25V636000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my 330I is part of recall 25V636000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 25V636000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW, Toyota. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.