Electrical System owner reports
Evidence: Limited confidence
Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.
- Symptom
- 10 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.
- Why it matters
- The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
Mileage in the reports
In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 37,504 to 45,168 miles.
Based on 2 reports that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.
What to inspect
- Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.
What may help
- Use the inspection and service records to check whether this car shows the reported problem.
Sources and limitsShowHide
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact owned a 2021 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the passenger side fender. The contact entered a nearby parking lot off the highway when the vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle, and someone inside a nearby building extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department and police department arrived. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The contact did not sustain any injuries, and no medical attention was needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“I phoned BMW today for an update on this recall. After 6 months, Manufacturer still does not have a fix or repair for your recall 25V636000 and no solution date. This is completely unacceptable.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“In September of 2025, I was notified twice by BMW via mail that my car is under recall. The NHTSA Recall Number is 25V636000. It is possible for water to contact and enter the engine starter. This could lead to corrosion which could cause a short circuit and ultimately a fire. They told me it would be fixed free of charge and I would be notified when the remedy was available. There were no such warnings or messages of the problem prior to being notified of this potential failure. Their mailed instructions told me to park the car outside which I did. My car was exposed to storms and hickory nuts from trees fell on my car causing damage. The extent of the damage was classified as the equivalent of "hail damage" and I had to pay 2000 out of pocket to a Paintless Dent Repair shop to get the damage fixed. I called multiple dealerships back in October and they told me to check in February of 2026. It is now March and a remedy is still not available. I called multiple dealerships today, March 16th 2026, and they have all told me that parts are still not available. This is infuriating. I had to pay a significant amount of money due to a defect on BMW's part. I now park my car in my garage where it belongs. It is infeasible for myself and many others to park a vehicle outside. My safety is put at risk every day and I worry constantly that my vehicle will spontaneously combusts and burns my house down. BMW must make this right. I am seeking a timely resolution to this recall as well as a reimbursement for the cosmetic damage I was forced to repair.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted, and confirmed the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were available but in limited quantities. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated that several attempts were needed in the morning to start the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Check Control - Engine Unable to Start" even though the vehicle was running and being driven. Additionally, the contact stated that after stopping at a traffic light, the engine ON/OFF engaged; however, after the traffic light changed and the brake pedal was released, the vehicle failed to restart as designed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after disengaging the ON/OFF feature, the vehicle failed to turn off when the vehicle was parked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, there was no part available for the repair. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no information on when parts would become available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the engine was shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,672.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“The contact's son owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact's son received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“My BMW 330i 2021 caught on fire while I was driving. Smoke came from the hood, and I open the hood and seen the Fire, and I called the Newark NJ Fire Department. see attached photo of the BMW after the fire.”