AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2006 BMW 330XI
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 104 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW 330XI, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and seat belts categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 108 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2012 | 2 | 17 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 18 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 19 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 20 |
| Nov 2012 | 2 | 22 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 23 |
| Feb 2013 | 2 | 25 |
| Mar 2013 | 2 | 27 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 28 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 29 |
| Jun 2013 | 3 | 32 |
| Aug 2013 | 2 | 34 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 35 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 36 |
| Feb 2014 | 3 | 39 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 41 |
| Apr 2014 | 4 | 45 |
| May 2014 | 2 | 47 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 48 |
| Aug 2014 | 3 | 51 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 52 |
| Nov 2014 | 3 | 55 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 56 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 57 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 58 |
| Apr 2015 | 3 | 61 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 63 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 64 |
| Oct 2015 | 3 | 67 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 68 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 69 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 70 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 71 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 72 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 73 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 74 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 75 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 76 |
| Aug 2017 | 3 | 79 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 80 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 81 |
| Feb 2018 | 2 | 83 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 84 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 85 |
| May 2018 | 3 | 88 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 89 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 90 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 91 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 92 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 93 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 94 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 95 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 96 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 97 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 98 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 99 |
| Jul 2022 | 2 | 101 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 102 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 103 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 104 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags6750.0%
- Electrical1813.4%
- Seat belts1410.4%
- Engine96.7%
- Interior & seats96.7%
- Steering86.0%
- Visibility21.5%
- Exterior lighting21.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
“The 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.”
- NHTSA ID
- 11703146
- Incident
- Nov 30, 2025
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).
- NHTSA ID
- 11506457
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11497465
- Incident
- Mar 2, 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 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11472320
- Incident
- Jun 6, 2019
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11472318
- Incident
- Mar 5, 2022
- Mileage
- 123,100 mi
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 parts not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11467167
- Incident
- Jun 2, 2020
- Mileage
- 75,000 mi
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 Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11463487
- Incident
- Jan 5, 2021
- Mileage
- 300,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11441776
- Incident
- Mar 21, 2021
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
STRUCTURE
Whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The ?Service Engine Soon? (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If theignition is cycled, the engine then usually performs normally.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.