2006 BMW 330XI: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 104 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (58% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 and 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“The blower motor wiring overheats and causes the vehicle to catch on fire. This recall has been out for several months now, and they have not had a fix for it yet. I don't need my car catching on fire, I have a one year old, it is not easy to get them out of the car.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2018
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“The center console is continuing to overheat. It spreads to the cup holders and outward as well. Gets very hot! Happens when car is on or when driving”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 330XI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 BMW 330XI reliable?
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 BMW 330XI. The most complained-about area is air bags (58% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 330XI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 101,012 miles or less.
Does the 2006 BMW 330XI have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.