Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 330i.
The 2021 BMW 330i pairs its eight-speed automatic transmission with an engine specified for 5.6 quarts of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+ oil, returning EPA fuel economy figures of 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. Within its own reporting window, this model year registers a notably light complaint footprint—just three owner complaints alongside five recalls, with issues concentrated in the power train, electrical system, and engine. For historical context, the 330i nameplate shows 121 owner complaints in 2001, the sole data point captured within the 1999–2011 complaint history provided. That early benchmark makes the 2021's single-digit total a striking contrast, though the gap in coverage between 2011 and 2021 means a continuous read of the model's reliability trajectory is not yet available from this dataset.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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.
| Engine oil filter | 11429886567 alt 11428575211 |
| Engine air filter | 13718580428 |
| Spark plug | 12122455258 |
| Battery | 61215A40E29 alt 61216806755 |
| Front wiper blades | 61619478361 |
| Thermostat | 11539468022 alt 11539468021 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119382885 alt 64119382886 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 185.4 in |
| Overall width | 72 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3494 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 63 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 52/48 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 26 / 36 / 30 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 330i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 330 330e PHEV Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 5.00 sec | 13.70 sec | 288 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | 330 330i Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.10 sec | 13.80 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | 330 330i xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.20 sec | 13.90 sec | 255 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | 330 330i Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.30 sec | 14.00 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | 330 330i Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.40 sec | 14.00 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | 330 330i xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.50 sec | 14.10 sec | 255 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | 330 330i Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.60 sec | 14.20 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2023 | 330 330e PHEV Sedan (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 5.00 sec | 13.60 sec | 288 hp | RWD |
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 oil drain plug to Use new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.8 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | BMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 0.85 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Infiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant |
| Engine Oil | BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 14.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | Use new bolts only. 88.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | Use new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Use new fill plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Use new drain plug. ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46YF |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | 26.0 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Use new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 12.99; Rear: 12.99 |
| 1 | Bolts 1-10 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 7.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.3 | 7.3 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 BMW 330i shows only three complaints in the federal record, each isolated to a single instance across powertrain/electrical/engine, steering/electrical/service brakes, and powertrain/engine/fuel systems, with zero crash or fire complaints. In contrast, the 2001 model year experienced a sharp spike to 121 complaints and 7 recalls, while 1999, 2000, and 2011 each had zero complaints but still recorded 2–3 recalls. The 2021 model continues the low-complaint pattern seen in 2011, though recall data for the target year is not provided. This suggests the 2021 330i avoids the earlier generation's complaint surge and presents minimal reported issues, making it a seemingly sound choice based on available federal data.
All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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…
Showing 5 of 217 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B720225 | 2025-06-11 | Air Bags | The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive… |
| B010825 | 2025-05-13 | Structure | A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction… |
| B010725 | 2025-04-15 | Structure | The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in… |
| B120721 | 2024-03-04 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage… |
| B640422 | 2024-02-16 | Electrical System | An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.6 qt of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpg.