BMW330e2021Overview/bmw/330e/2021/base/

2021 BMW 330e

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 330e.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW 330e features an S8 automatic transmission and requires 5.6 quarts of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+ viscosity oil. This model year is defined by five recalls and a total of three owner complaints. These reports specifically target the engine, electrical system, and power train, establishing the primary areas of concern for the vehicle's reliability history.

Model year20242023202220212020201820172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil typeBMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency25/33/28 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range320 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11429886567. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size225/45R18/XL 95HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5; Optional: 8; Front: 8, Rear: 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11429886567 alt 11428575211
Engine air filter13718580428
Spark plug12122455258
Battery61217555719 alt 61216806755
Front wiper blades61619478361
Thermostat11539468021 alt 11539468022
Cabin air filter64119382885 alt 64119382886

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.4 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3902 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 33 / 28 MPGe
Electric range320 mi
Charge time (240V)3.0 hr
Electric motor80 kW DCPM
Energy use45.0 kWh/100mi
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.6 qt of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+ engine oil, BMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.2 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilBMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.85 qt
Engine OilBMW LongLife LL-14FE+
Engine Oil Capacity5.6 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Flywheel BoltsUse new bolts only. 88.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug44.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new drain plug. ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.37.3 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 BMW 330e, representing the first model year of this plug-in hybrid variant, shows notably higher activity across all problem categories compared to 2022: 3 complaints versus 1, 5 recalls versus 0, and 217 TSBs versus 78. This pattern is typical of a new model launch year, where manufacturers address initial teething issues through recalls and service bulletins. The single federal investigation carried over into 2022, suggesting an unresolved issue from 2021 that carried into the next model year. The three complaints are spread across diverse system combinations—power train/engine/electrical, steering/brakes/electrical, and power train/engine/fuel—no single dominant failure mode emerges, which indicates variety rather than a systematic defect. Notably, there were zero crash and zero fire complaints. The takeaway is that 2021 represents the more problematic launch year within this generation, but the relatively low complaint count (3) combined with the high recall and TSB activity suggests BMW actively addressed defects during the model year rather than ignoring them; a 2021 example may have already received necessary recall repairs, making it a viable option if the service history is verified.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
217
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1
Steering,Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V554000Seat BeltsReported 21/07/2021

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… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on…

21V096000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 19/02/2021

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… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 217 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B7202252025-06-11Air BagsThe Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive…
B0108252025-05-13StructureA vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction…
B0107252025-04-15StructureThe Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in…
B1207212024-03-04Engine And Engine CoolingCheck Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage…
B6404222024-02-16Electrical SystemAn interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 330e. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 330e take?

5.6 qt of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 330e have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the 330e?

EPA figures are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 320 miles.