2023 BMW 330E Owner Complaints

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. On a separate occasion, the gauge console (screen behind the steering wheel) became morphed and could not show the MPH- an electrical glitch it seemed. The last occasion the car stopped and parked itself while accelerating or braking on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11726457

Incident

Mar 21, 2026

I rear-ended someone and suspect issue with the automatic emergency braking for my 2023 BMW 330E. The car was totaled and I no longer have it - date of accident [XXX]. My VIN [XXX] ) wasn’t included in current recalls but the model was discontinued, which raises concern. The incident was reported to police and insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11678912

Incident

Aug 8, 2023

I was driving on [XXX] in Vermont on Friday morning, when I heard a very loud pop close to my ear. It sounded like a gun, but I saw that my windows were not broken. I continued to drive but then noticed the sound of rushing air, as though one of my windows was open. It was not. I drove a short distance, then decided to pull over into a parking lot. There, I discovered a huge hole in my sun roof. In addition to the hole, the remaining panel was completely shattered. I called my insurance company who had me drive it to a nearby body shop. They put a camera into the hole to try to see if there was a stone or other object between the glass and the panel inside the car. They found only broken glass. They believe my sunroof shattered because of hot outside temperatures (in the mid 80's) and the fact that I had my air conditioner on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11606276

Incident

Aug 2, 2024

Subject: Concern Regarding Daytime Brightness Levels in BMW 330e Instrument Cluster I am reaching out to express a concern I've encountered with the instrument cluster in my 2023 BMW 330e. It has come to my attention that, unlike many other vehicles, the instrument cluster in my BMW does not maintain full brightness during the day. The absence of manual brightness control, combined with the behavior of the ambient brightness sensor, seems to result in an excessively dim display, especially in bright daylight conditions. I understand that different vehicles may have varying features, but the contrast in brightness levels during the day has been a noticeable and somewhat inconvenient aspect of my driving experience. It has led to difficulty in reading critical information such as speed, fuel levels, and other essential data. I wanted to bring this to your attention not just as an individual driver but with the hope that you can consider the feedback in the broader context of user experience. Full brightness during the day is a common expectation among drivers, and I believe addressing this concern could enhance the satisfaction of BMW customers.

NHTSA ID

11567091

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

:**Complaint Regarding 2023 330e Instrument Cluster Brightness Issue** - I wish to report a safety concern regarding the instrument cluster brightness in my 2023 BMW 330e. The instrument cluster features an auto-dimming screen with no brightness control during the day. The ambient brightness sensor does not accurately detect daylight conditions unless the sunshade on the sunroof is open. This results in an excessively dim instrument cluster that is challenging to read in bright daylight. **Safety Implications:** This issue poses a safety concern as it hinders the driver's ability to access critical information such as speed, fuel levels, and other essential data. It may lead to distractions and decreased situational awareness. **Requested Action:** I kindly request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates this issue and collaborates with the manufacturer, BMW, to find a solution promptly. This could involve a software update or a hardware adjustment to the ambient brightness sensor to ensure the instrument cluster remains readable in all lighting conditions.

NHTSA ID

11551742

Incident

Jul 28, 2023

This is to report an incident with a recently purchased 2023 BMW 330e. Model: BMW | Make: 330e | Color: white Purchase: 17th Sep, 2022 | Dealer: BMW of San Antonio Incident date: 17th November, 2022 | Time: 9AM (approx) | Place: Parking Garage, MD Anderson Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 Incident description: When turning in to park in the parking spot in the garage, the car suddenly shot forward and hit the barrier in front. Airbags did not deploy, although the impact was strong enough to throw the driver hard against her seat belt with slight bruising. The driver does not recall the front proximity sensors giving any warning beeps (as normally happens if the car is too close to a barrier). Damage: The front of the car on the driver's side sustained significant damage, including the proximity sensor on the driver's side becoming non-functional. The engine warning light did not come on, and the car was driveable. Aftermath: The incident was reported to insurance. The car has now been assessed by certified collision specialists repair. Comments: The driver has been driving for over 20 years (12 years in the USA) with an exemplary driving record. She has been parking in the same garage for the last 2 years. It is, of course, entirely possible that she mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake when turning in to park, but it would be unusual, and perhaps unlikely. Also, the amount of damage to the front is testimony to the speed with which the car hit the barrier, when the driver was driving dead slow, maneuvering between cars to edge forward in a parking spot. If the incident is due to a malfunction, it raises the possibility of danger for future drivers. We report this just in case it is - if others report similar issues with this make/ model of the car, perhaps preventive measures can be taken before somebody gets seriously injured.

NHTSA ID

11495571

Incident

Nov 17, 2022