KnownCarProblems2006 BMW 330xi Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 330xi, most often about the air bags (64% of complaints, typically around 97,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 330xi model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2006 BMW 330xi problems
Air bags
67 complaints · 64%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
My airbag warning light illuminated indicating that my passenger airbag system was offline. I brought it into my mechanic and they informed me that my passenger side airbag sensor mat and possibly my passenger seat belt sensor had failed. They informed me that the cost to repair would be approximately $700-$800…
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the front passenger sensor mat was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but…
Electrical
18 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
The message 'steering wheel lock' came up and the car will not start. I had to pay to bring it home. BMW says 'it happens to some customers' and they asked me to bring the car to a service center for repair. I see a lot of discussions in forums about this issue. Apparently it is due to a defective lock mechanism.
My airbag warning light illuminated indicating that my passenger airbag system was offline. I brought it into my mechanic and they informed me that my passenger side airbag sensor mat and possibly my passenger seat belt sensor had failed. They informed me that the cost to repair would be approximately $700-$800…
Seat belts
14 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 115,500 miles.
Passenger side air bag error consistent with front passenger seat pressure mat recall notice. BMW online recall check revealed that this vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.
I have an error message telling me that there is a "restraint malfunction" on my passenger seat. It warns me that my passenger side airbag will not deploy in case of an accident.
Engine
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 145,000 miles.
Coolant leaking from reservoir tank. A common issue among bmws- and is currently effecting my 330xi 2006. The expansion tank is faulty and wondering if the tank and hoses are tested to even withstand the "BMW brand" name coolant.
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). In addition, the service…
Steering
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles.
I got into my car on the morning of the 29th dec. 2011. I showed a yellow steering wheel lock code (indicating a possible problem). I drove the car after work with no problems although planning on getting the vehicle into service just to have it checked out. I pulled into the driveway and parked the car, returned to…
I went to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel, and the lever gears broke with in the steering column . Now the steering wheel moves up and down freely while driving. I called BMW and they said it's not covered under warranty and there are no recalls. I took the car to a very reputable foreign car repair…
Seats
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles.
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 an accident.
My airbag warning light illuminated indicating that my passenger airbag system was offline. I brought it into my mechanic and they informed me that my passenger side airbag sensor mat and possibly my passenger seat belt sensor had failed. They informed me that the cost to repair would be approximately $700-$800…
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 4%Upon test driving on city street this vehicle with a friend and my brother we realized it had a hard limp to the front passenger tire. After returning it to the lot the salesman informed US it needed a sway bar replace to leave it a couple days and he would have it repaired. After picking it up driving on the city…
Sunroof exploded-while driving with my sunshade was open 6" and glass closed, at 2 pm on 8/14/19, 70 degree weather, at 65 MPH I heard what I thought was a gunshot. Immediately after I was showered with glass into the interior of the vehicle. The glass hit my face and body and luckily I was not blinded and was able to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 BMW 330xi recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 degradat
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 BMW 330xi
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 330xi?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (67 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); seat belts (14 complaints, typically around 115,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 330xi have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2024 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the BMW 330xi?
- It is the most complained-about 330xi model year since 2000, with 104 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other BMW 330xi years
- 2003
- 2006