BMW 330E Recalls (2021, 2023)

What recalls does the BMW 330E have?

• 2023 BMW 330I Body Control Module Software Recall (23V118)
  February 23, 2023 · 120 vehicles · Electrical System

  During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.

  Risk: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge.

• 2023 BMW 330E Backup Camera Software Recall (22V747) Repeat recall
  October 7, 2022 · 1,296 vehicles · Rearview Camera

  After shifting into reverse, the rearview camera software may cause a portion of the rearview image to be obstructed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: An obstructed rearview image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 230I Seat Belt Recall (21V554)
  July 21, 2021 · 21,537 vehicles · Seat Belts

  The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 330I Seat Belt Buckle Recall (21V298)
  April 28, 2021 · 12 vehicles · Seat Belts

  The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.

  Risk: An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW X3 Backup Camera Software Recall (21V096)
  February 19, 2021 · 13,858 vehicles · Rearview Camera

  When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 530E High-Voltage Battery Recall (20V601) Repeat recall
  September 30, 2020 · 4,509 vehicles · EV and Hybrid Battery

  Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

  Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.

  Fix: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 330E High-Voltage Battery Recall (20V490)
  August 18, 2020 · 713 vehicles · EV and Hybrid Battery

  Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.

  Risk: A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge.

Which 330E parts are recalled most?

Which 330E model years have the most recalls?

How do I check my 330E for open recalls?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 7 BMW 330E campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.

What are 330E owners reporting?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.

Excerpts from owner complaints (unverified):

I am getting error code 21A50A and 216115 which Starter Overheating that can cause fire. Similar error code were coming on other cars and BMW have recalled it the recall number is 26V056. I ask BMW and NHTSA to include 330E in this recall as 330E is similar to 330I.

2021 BMW 330E owner, Engine, NHTSA complaint 11761564

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.

2021 BMW 330E owner, Power Train, NHTSA complaint 11444952

On one occasion, the car automatically applied the breaks and parked itself while driving on a main road. On another occasion, while parking the car at the home it accelerated aggressively and almost crashed into the garage- driver lost complete control of the car.

2023 BMW 330E owner, Electrical System, NHTSA complaint 11726457

Can a recall make your 330E a lemon in California?

Owners of a BMW 330E often ask whether these recalls mean their vehicle qualifies under California's lemon law. Not by themselves. The question is whether a covered defect keeps coming back, or keeps the vehicle at the dealer, after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

2 of the 7 recalls listed here follow an earlier campaign on the same component, which can mean a first fix did not work. 2 involve the engine, transmission or high-voltage battery, the kinds of repairs that often take several visits or weeks of downtime.

Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails 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.

What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.

More BMW 330E lemon law pages

All BMW recalls

Other BMW models with recalls

• 228I: 5 recalls
• 228I Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• 228I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 228I Xdrive Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• 230I: 7 recalls
• 3 Series: 1 recall
• 330E: 7 recalls
• 330I: 11 recalls
• 330I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 4 Series: 1 recall
• 430I: 11 recalls
• 430I Convertible: 1 recall
• 430I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 5 Series: 1 recall
• 530E: 2 recalls
• 530I: 15 recalls
• 530I Xdrive: 4 recalls
• 540I: 7 recalls
• 540I Xdrive: 4 recalls
• 550E: 1 recall
• 550E Xdrive: 2 recalls
• 740I: 11 recalls
• 740I Xdrive: 2 recalls
• 740LI: 5 recalls
• 740XI: 1 recall
• 745E: 1 recall
• 745LE: 4 recalls
• 750E: 3 recalls
• 750E Xdrive: 6 recalls
• 750LI: 3 recalls
• 760I: 8 recalls
• 760I Xdrive: 3 recalls
• 8 Series: 1 recall
• 840I: 6 recalls
• 840I Xdrive: 1 recall
• Alpina B8: 1 recall
• Alpina XB7: 1 recall
• B7 Alpina: 1 recall
• I4: 11 recalls
• I4 EDRIVE35: 1 recall
• I4 EDRIVE40: 2 recalls
• I4 M50: 2 recalls
• I5: 7 recalls
• I5 EDRIVE40: 3 recalls
• I5 M60: 2 recalls
• I5 M60 Xdrive: 3 recalls
• I5 XDRIVE40: 2 recalls
• I7: 12 recalls
• I7 EDRIVE50: 3 recalls
• I7 M70: 3 recalls
• I7 M70 Xdrive: 4 recalls
• I7 XDRIVE60: 3 recalls
• IX: 12 recalls
• M2: 3 recalls
• M235I: 2 recalls
• M235I Xdrive Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• M240I: 4 recalls
• M3: 4 recalls
• M340I: 7 recalls
• M4: 3 recalls
• M440I: 7 recalls
• M5: 3 recalls
• M5 Sportswagon: 1 recall
• M550I: 3 recalls
• M760I: 2 recalls
• M760LI: 1 recall
• M8: 3 recalls
• M850I: 3 recalls
• X1: 11 recalls
• X2: 6 recalls
• X3: 24 recalls
• X4: 14 recalls
• X5: 27 recalls
• X5 Hybrid: 1 recall
• X5 Plug-IN Hybrid: 2 recalls
• X6: 17 recalls
• X7: 22 recalls
• XB7: 1 recall
• XM: 9 recalls
• Z4: 7 recalls

Frequently asked questions about BMW 330E recalls