VehicleVerdict

2006 BMW 330xi problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 BMW 330xi sits mid-pack among 330xi years: 145 NHTSA complaints, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 51% of all reports (74 of 145), far ahead of electrical system at 18.

145

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 330xi years?

330xi NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted145 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 20 complaints2003: 42 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 13 complaints2006: 145 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints
330xi NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 330xi years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 BMW 330xi problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags7451%
Electrical System1812%
Seat Belts1410%
Engine96%
Seats86%
Steering86%
Other43%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Lighting21%
Suspension21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Body & Structure11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2006 BMW 330xi have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V513000AirbagsJuly 3, 2024 · 394,029 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V017000AirbagsJanuary 15, 2020 · 59,965 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

19V273000EngineApril 4, 2019 · 184,505 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

17V676000Electrical SystemOctober 25, 2017 · 702,965 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V428000AirbagsJuly 6, 2017 · 2,158 units

Defect

BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V564000AirbagsNovember 12, 2013 · 76,565 units

Defect

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR MONTHS BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER SENT NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM).…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 17, 2017 · fire

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THE AIRBAG STAYS OFF EVEN AFTER HAVING A PASSENGER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO GET A SEATBELT SIGN EVEN IF THE SEATBELT IS WORN BY THE PASSENGER. WENT TO DEALER ASKING FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 24, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR MONTHS BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER SENT NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM).…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 17, 2017 · fire

RANDOMLY WHILE THERE IS EITHER WEIGHT FROM A BAG OR A PERSON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE ROOF. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 1, 2011

2006 BMW 330xi — common questions

Is the 2006 BMW 330xi reliable?

It is close to typical for the 330xi: 145 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 330xi problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (74 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), seat belts (14 complaints).

Does the 2006 BMW 330xi have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 BMW 330xi. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 330xi years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 330xi years to avoid are 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among 330xi years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.