2006 Bmw 330XI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
104 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
101,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 104 complaints (61.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 9.6% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 64 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Seat Belts | 14 |
| Seats | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
Air Bags: 64; Electrical System: 18; Seat Belts: 14; Seats: 8; Steering: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 30 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 30; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2011: 8; 2012: 15; 2013: 13; 2014: 20; 2015: 12; 2016: 4; 2017: 9; 2018: 10; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10412293 · 2011-07-14 (July 14, 2011)
TL* 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 DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V3840 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10412293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10416584 · 2011-08-01 (August 1, 2011)
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 330XI WITH 28,000 MILES. IT CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A RUN FLAT TIRES. I HAVE HAD 6 TIRE FAILURES, ONE OF WHICH WAS A BLOWOUT, ALL FROM THE SAME CAUSE ---SIDEWALL BUBBLES/BULGES. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TIRERACK.COM. I HAVE SO LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THESE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES THAT I'VE PURCHASED ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION WITH THE LAST FIVE TIRES AT A COST OF $245. I'VE SPENT A TOTAL OF $1,640.27 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,941 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425271 · 2011-09-13 (September 13, 2011)
THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING NEAR THE PORT FOR THE IPHONE CHARGER ON THE DASH (LIGHTER.) THE PORTAL WAS COLD TO THE TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT MORE 20 YARDS THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING FINE AND WAS QUICKLY PULLED TO AN EMPTY PART OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER PULLING THE HOOD RELEASE I JUMPED FROM THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR -- I IMMEDIATELY TRIED RE-OPENING IT TO LET THE SMOKE FROM THE COCKPIT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BY TOUCH OR WITH THE KEY FOB. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE LOOKED CLEAN. TO THE FAR RIGHT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10425271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430236 · 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10430236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10434424 · 2011-11-07 (November 7, 2011)
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK. AN ERROR MESSAGE SHOWS ON THE DISPLAY INDICATING A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. THIS ERROR WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR THE CAR TO START. THIS RESULTED IN THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDING REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 101,023 miles reported. Look up ODI 10434424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10437755 · 2011-11-29 (November 29, 2011)
AIRBAG LIGHTS AND RESTRAINT LIGHTS BECAME LIT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR MAT. ALREADY HAS HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THE MODELS. NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VEHICLES. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. 99,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10437755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441689 · 2011-12-29 (December 29, 2011)
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 IT 15 MIN LATER AND IT WOULDNT START! AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM THE CAR SHOWED A RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK CODE INDICATING IT WOULD NO LONGER START. AFTER DEEP INVESTIGATION I FIND THE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM …
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441962 · 2011-12-31 (December 31, 2011)
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER ARE CONSTANTLY ON, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SPORT SEATS. THERE IS A RECALL IN ORDER FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT MY 2006 330XI WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME REASON. HERE IS THE #: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES FOR 2006 BMW 330 (XI AND I MODELS) THAT ARE NOW HAVING THIS ISSUE. HERE IS A LINK TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441962 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V564000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2013-11-12 (November 12, 2013)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V428000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2017-07-06 (July 6, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V676000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2017-10-25 (October 25, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
Reported: 2019-04-04 (April 4, 2019)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V513000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2024-07-03 (July 3, 2024)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗