Total Complaints
145 filings
BMW 330XI · model year
145 NHTSA complaints, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006BMW330XI carries 145 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 6 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 330XI is air bags with 64 filings, followed by electrical system (18) and seat belts (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2006 330XI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
145 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 64 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18 |
| SEAT BELTS | 14 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| SEATS | 8 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 ai
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 yea
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 det
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 spor
âThe PCV valve heater (positive crankcase ventilation heater) on my 2006 BMW 330xi failed and caused an engine bay electrical fire. This component is under an active BMW safety recall for fire risk. The failure happened suddenly while driving, with no prior warning lights or symptoms. Smoke began coming from the engine area, followed by visible flames. My safety was put at risk, and I immediately exited the vehicle. The vehicle became inoperable and was towed by the City of Chicago. The car has since been declared a total loss due to the fire. The vehicle is currently in the city impound and available for inspection upon request. The problem has not been inspected by a dealer yet because the vehicle was destroyed before I received the recall repair.â
Takata Airbag Safety Recall Vin:[XXX] I live in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which according to BMW and NHTSA is Zone B. My vehicle has a built date of 10/19/2005 330xi e90 model. The time in which the degradation to the propellant poses an unreasonable risk to safety is stated as a 10-15 year time frame. My car is almost 18 years old but BMW has NOT prioritized my vehicle's airbag. My vin number might not have made the list for zone A but its in zone B. I should have to wait until someone gets killed or injured. My name is [XXX] and can be reached at [XXX] My BMW dealer is Otto's BMW West Chester, PA 610399-8067 Please demand that BMW comply with the recall information listed on clearly on your NHTSA site and BMW of America's site. (Site Last updated 01/14/2019) Thank you. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact stated that the air bags warning and seat belts warning lights illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,100.
Mileage: 123,100
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms remedy not yet available.
The contact's brother owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact stated while his mother was driving approximately 30-40 MPH, she smelled a burning plastic odor and the vehicle started to overheat. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. VIN tool confirms par
Mileage: 75,000
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. The check engine warning light, the coolant temperature warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited. The contact then continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving and smoke would come out from underneath the hood and through the vent inside of the vehicle while driving, and the vehicle would occasionally stall. Additionally, the contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and failed to restart twice. The vehicle was then towed twice to the contact's residence. The contact's father, who is an independent mechanic, could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained at the residence undrivable. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Coolin
Mileage: 300,000
We took our recently purchased BMW 2006 330xi in for recalls and a few fixes. However, the BMW service center wasn't able to fix one of the issues through the recall process since it doesn't show up for our vehicle. However, everything that I read suggests that it was a recall for this make and model. We are not sure if it was supposedly addressed before we purchased the vehicle and it is now a reoccurring issue or it is a first-time issue. The airbag/seatbelt warning light is present for passenger seat occupancy detector faults. The BMW service center said it was the sensor in the front passenger seat and offered to fix it for $1000 plus. We opted to not fix it until we checked further into the situation. The light for the passenger airbag saying that it is off is currently lit, and the airbag/seatbelt light remains on at this time. Looking for more information on this issue.
We took our recently purchased BMW 2006 330xi in for recalls and a few fixes. However, the BMW service center wasn't able to fix one of the issues through the recall process since it doesn't show up for our vehicle. However, everything that I read suggests that it was a recall for this make and model. We are not sure if it was supposedly addressed before we purchased the vehicle and it is now a reoccurring issue or it is a first-time issue. The airbag/seatbelt warning light is present for passenger seat occupancy detector faults. The BMW service center said it was the sensor in the front passenger seat and offered to fix it for $1000 plus. We opted to not fix it until we checked further into the situation. The light for the passenger airbag saying that it is off is currently lit, and the airbag/seatbelt light remains on at this time. Looking for more information on this issue.
GOING THROUGH MY NEWLY PURCHASED, USED 2006 330XI, I FOUND SEVERAL WARNINGS FOR FRONT HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONS WERE DISABLED AND THE LEFT LOW BEAM WAS STUCK POINTING LEFT. WHILE THE BULBS THEMSELVES WERE STILL FUNCTIONING, THE LIGHT WAS POINTED DIRECTLY AT ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. OPENING THE ACCESS PANEL AT THE REAR OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOWED MULTIPLE BARE WIRES INSIDE OF THE SEALED HOUSING, THE INSULATION HAD SIMPLY STARTED TO FLAKE OFF OF THE WIRES RENDERING ALL CENTERING AND LEVELING FUNCTIONS OF THE LIGHT INOPERABLE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH BMW HEADLIGHTS, FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTED DATA AND CASES PLEASE REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING FORUM THREAD : HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/THREADS/
Mileage: 160,640
GOING THROUGH MY NEWLY PURCHASED, USED 2006 330XI, I FOUND SEVERAL WARNINGS FOR FRONT HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONS WERE DISABLED AND THE LEFT LOW BEAM WAS STUCK POINTING LEFT. WHILE THE BULBS THEMSELVES WERE STILL FUNCTIONING, THE LIGHT WAS POINTED DIRECTLY AT ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. OPENING THE ACCESS PANEL AT THE REAR OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOWED MULTIPLE BARE WIRES INSIDE OF THE SEALED HOUSING, THE INSULATION HAD SIMPLY STARTED TO FLAKE OFF OF THE WIRES RENDERING ALL CENTERING AND LEVELING FUNCTIONS OF THE LIGHT INOPERABLE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH BMW HEADLIGHTS, FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTED DATA AND CASES PLEASE REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING FORUM THREAD : HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/THREADS/
Mileage: 160,640
I DIDN'T GET ANY PICTURES. MY SISTER HAS A 330 XI DRIVE TO DENVER AT ONE POINT OF THE DRIVE HURDLE A POP IN THE CAR. WHERE DRIVING FAST NO POT HOLES HIT. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE. WE GOT UNDER THE CAR THE CAR AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE AXEL WAS RESTING ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THERE WHERE 3 MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKETS AN 1 LAYING ON THE SCID PLATE UNDER THE CAR. I HAVE READ SOME OTHER TESTIMONY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A DEFINITE PROBLEM SO I HOPE YOU LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU.
DRIVER SIDE STAGE 1 AIRBAG MALFUNCTION OCCURRING IN MY VEHICLE WITH A DASH LIGHT. WHEN I SEARCH MY VIN FOR THIS RECALL, IT DOES NOT SHOW UP. BUT IT DOES SHOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2006 BMW 330XI'S AND OTHER 3 SERIES. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR EVERY 2006-2011 BMW 3 SERIES BECAUSE IT AFFECTED ALL OF THE CARS. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL FOR MY CAR AS WELL AS OTHERS THAT ARE COMPLAINING? THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. THANK YOU, A PERSON WHO DRIVES A 2006 BMW 330XI, AND DESERVES THEIR CAR RECALLED. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
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
Mileage: 290,000
ON 6-3-2016 MY 2006 BMW 330XI STARTED ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. AS I PULLED MY CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PARKED THE CAR, SHUT IT OFF AND I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SMALL FLAMES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. I NOTICED THAT SOME ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE BURNED AND MELTED. AT THE END OF THE WORKDAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AVA RESTORATION IN DUBLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THEY COMPLETED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE OWNER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE PCV VALVE HEATER(ALSO REFERRED TO AS AN ANGLE CONNECTOR) AND IT HAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WIRING HARNESS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW IN JANUARY 2018 AFTER LEARNING THAT THEY RECALLED 2007 MODELS FOR THE SAME COMPONENT FAILURE. I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION TO THEM AND TOLD THEM THEY SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO COVER 2006 MODELS ALSO.
Mileage: 128,909
I GOT SEVERAL RECALLS REGARDING MY BMW 330XI 2006 AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG RECALL MENTIONED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILING TO WORK. CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE DEALERS SAID THE PART HAS NOT YET BEEN AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED BEFORE EVENTUALLY TURNING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD BOLTS HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Mileage: 105,000
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF AND ON AT NO PRESCRIBED INTERVAL. THE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERS OFTEN WHICH IS A CONCERN SINCE THE AIRBAG CAN TURN OFF WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY OR DRIVING - NO PRESCRIBED INTERVAL HAS BEEN NOTED AND WAS FIRST NOTICED EARLY THIS SPRING, MARCH OR APRIL 2018 WITH ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF AND ON AT NO PRESCRIBED INTERVAL. THE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERS OFTEN WHICH IS A CONCERN SINCE THE AIRBAG CAN TURN OFF WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY OR DRIVING - NO PRESCRIBED INTERVAL HAS BEEN NOTED AND WAS FIRST NOTICED EARLY THIS SPRING, MARCH OR APRIL 2018 WITH ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF AND ON AT NO PRESCRIBED INTERVAL. THE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERS OFTEN WHICH IS A CONCERN SINCE THE AIRBAG CAN TURN OFF WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY OR DRIVING - NO PRESCRIBED INTERVAL HAS BEEN NOTED AND WAS FIRST NOTICED EARLY THIS SPRING, MARCH OR APRIL 2018 WITH ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.