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2006 BMW 330XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports5 fire reports0 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

14 reports
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123,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF RICHFIELD (746 DANBURY RD, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877, (203) 438-0471) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF RICHFIELD (746 DANBURY RD, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877, (203) 438-0471) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #11083488

150,000 miles · Sep 14, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SUN MOTOR CARS BMW, 6691 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050; (717) 697-2300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SUN MOTOR CARS BMW, 6691 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050; (717) 697-2300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11023521

150,000 miles · Aug 6, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THE AIRBAG STAYS OFF EVEN AFTER HAVING A PASSENGER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO GET A SEATBELT SIGN EVEN IF THE SEATBELT IS WORN BY THE PASSENGER. WENT TO DEALER ASKING FOR $200 TO CHECK PROBLEM AND $500…

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PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THE AIRBAG STAYS OFF EVEN AFTER HAVING A PASSENGER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO GET A SEATBELT SIGN EVEN IF THE SEATBELT IS WORN BY THE PASSENGER. WENT TO DEALER ASKING FOR $200 TO CHECK PROBLEM AND $500 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11013083

106,045 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Air BagsSeat Belts

RECENTLY THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SENSOR INDICATED A FAILURE. I CAN ATTRIBUTE SUCH FAILURE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR (PLACED IN THE SEAT MAT). WHEN I CONTACTED BMW USA, THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL (CAMPAIGN [XXX]). I WOULD APPRECIATE THE NHTSA / DOT TO INVESTIGATE EXPANDING THE RECALL TO ALL E90 / 2006…

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RECENTLY THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SENSOR INDICATED A FAILURE. I CAN ATTRIBUTE SUCH FAILURE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR (PLACED IN THE SEAT MAT). WHEN I CONTACTED BMW USA, THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL (CAMPAIGN [XXX]). I WOULD APPRECIATE THE NHTSA / DOT TO INVESTIGATE EXPANDING THE RECALL TO ALL E90 / 2006 BMW 330XI NOT JUST MODELS PRODUCED AFTER 12/ 2005. I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY VEHICLE IN 11/2005. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10873524

127,961 miles · Apr 28, 2015
Air BagsSeat Belts

PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713340

143,000 miles · Apr 18, 2015
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIRBAG WARNING CAME ON AND AFTER RESEARCH FOUND A RECALL. I CONTACTED BMW AND THEY CLAIM MY VIN IS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A TREND. PLEASE ASSIST IN FINDING A SOLUTION TO THIS EXTREMELY CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706468

150,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT NO REMEDY WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10621962

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 BMW 330XI AND THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LAMPS HAVE BEEN ON/OFF ON MY CAR SINCE LAST NOVEMBER. SINCE THIS CAR MODEL HAS A RECALL RELATING TO AIRBAG AND SEATBELT, I AM WONDERING WHY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY "RECALL LETTER" SO I CAN PRESENT IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THANK YO…

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I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 BMW 330XI AND THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LAMPS HAVE BEEN ON/OFF ON MY CAR SINCE LAST NOVEMBER. SINCE THIS CAR MODEL HAS A RECALL RELATING TO AIRBAG AND SEATBELT, I AM WONDERING WHY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY "RECALL LETTER" SO I CAN PRESENT IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619301

109,000 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Seat Belts

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.

NHTSA ODI #10583343

97,000 miles · Feb 6, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

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 DOLLARS. I REC…

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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 DOLLARS. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION THAT MY VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. WHEN I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND BMWNA THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNTIL REQUIRED TO DO SO EVEN THOUGH MY AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS ALREADY FAILED AND IT IS SHOWING AS OFFLINE. I'M REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT TO DOCUMENT THAT THEY ARE NOT ACTIVELY RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563315

Official recalls

6

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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 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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

17V428000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.