Model year
2021 BMW 3 Series
NHTSA does not list the EPA model name 3 Series for 2021. Under the matched names 330E and 330I, NHTSA lists 9 recalls and 33 complaints (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints for 330I are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13), ENGINE (8), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 25–30 mpg combined and 45–51 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,750–$3,300, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 88 complaints
- 2001 36 complaints
- 2002 26 complaints
- 2003 73 complaints
- 2004 77 complaints
- 2005 25 complaints
- 2006 202 complaints
- 2007 115 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 53 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2011 1 complaints
- 2012 7 complaints
- 2013 21 complaints
- 2014 410 complaints
- 2015 215 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 80 complaints
- 2018 73 complaints
- 2019 41 complaints
- 2020 53 complaints
- 2021 33 complaints
- 2022 8 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 11 complaints
- 2025 6 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Matched NHTSA names
The EPA model name is not itself a name in the NHTSA file for 2021. The counts in the answer are the sum of the names below. Overlap between those names is not removed.
| NHTSA name | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 330E | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 330I | 7 | 29 | 0 |
Recalls for 330I
26V056000 · Jan 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3…
25V636000 · Sep 23, 2025
Park outsideELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
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…
23V584000 · Aug 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; SEAT BELTS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat…
23V211000 · Mar 29, 2023
SEATS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
21V554000 · Jul 21, 2021
SEAT BELTS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i,…
21V298000 · Apr 28, 2021
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.
21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE; BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i…
Complaints for 330I
29 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 3, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations for 330I
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.092 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.092 | NHTSA photo |
| 2021 BMW 330e 4 DR AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| 2021 BMW 330e 4 DR RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330e · 2L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 25 | 33 | 28 | 45.0 | 320 | $2,950 |
| 330e xDrive · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 22 | 30 | 25 | 51.0 | 290 | $3,300 |
| 330i · 2L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 26 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,750 |
| 330i xDrive · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 BMW 3 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.