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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

What owners actually said

104 reports
150,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659119

115,625 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Air BagsSeats

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN (SEE BELOW) FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS, YET APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN. THE DISABLED PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS A…

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AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN (SEE BELOW) FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS, YET APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN. THE DISABLED PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND CLEARLY MY VIN SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008 TODAY, BMW ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. AFFECTED ARE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 3-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-06 5-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES, DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. BMW HAS FOUND THAT THE SENSOR MAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE USAGE DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653491

110,000 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638504

100,000 miles · Aug 23, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627682

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

68,350 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

DRIVING WITH BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT, "RED AIRBAG & RED SEATBELT" INDICATORS LIGHT UP. UPON TAKING TO DEALERSHIP, THEIR CODE READER SUGGESTED "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" CAUSED LIGHTS. CLEARED CODE. MONTHS LATER, WITH WORK BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT HAPPENS AGAIN. CLEARED CODE. SUGGESTED TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. BOUGHT A NEW BMW BATTERY, AN…

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DRIVING WITH BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT, "RED AIRBAG & RED SEATBELT" INDICATORS LIGHT UP. UPON TAKING TO DEALERSHIP, THEIR CODE READER SUGGESTED "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" CAUSED LIGHTS. CLEARED CODE. MONTHS LATER, WITH WORK BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT HAPPENS AGAIN. CLEARED CODE. SUGGESTED TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. BOUGHT A NEW BMW BATTERY, AND SAME THING, HAPPENS AGAIN. I TAKE TO ANOTHER SHOP (BMW CHARGES 100-150 TO CLEAR CODE EACH TIME...) AND THEY CLEAR CODE, STILL "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" BUT SUGGESTED I LOOK INTO THIS OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR RECALL. GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY UNLESS CODE READER SAYS AIRBAG FAULT, THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY. THROUGH THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS NOW, THE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON 4 TIMES PRIOR, AND NOW TODAY A 5TH TIME. I HAVE YET TO TAKE BACK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN, BUT MAKING MY COMPLAINTS. I AM NOT A GENIUS BUT SOMEHOW I THINK THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT MUST BE DEFECTIVE YET THROWS ERROR CODES OF "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE". WHEN I CHECK THE CODE MANUALLY THROUGH THE DRIVERS STALK, CCID-97 (FROM MEMORY) WHICH ONLINE REFERENCED TO AIR BAG FAULT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS, IT WAS A "CERTIFIED" PREOWNED FROM DEALER, AND I"M BEING TOLD THAT THE RECALL COVERS ONLY 10 YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL SALE DATE. WHICH MEANS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER THIS YEAR OF 2014, I AM OUT OF LUCK. HUNDREDS WASTED EACH TIME, INCORRECT DIAGNOSING. AND BMW REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS RECALL UNTIL A MACHINE TELLS THEM OTHERWISE. AND UNTIL THAT DAY COMES, THEY'LL KEEP SELLING ME NEW BATTERIES AND OTHER FALSE HOPES TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605227

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. DR

NHTSA ODI #10593504

153,000 miles · May 14, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND TO PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND TO PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #10588277

55,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Air BagsSeats

VEHICLE AIRBAG WARNING AND PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING LAMP ARE DISPLAYED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" LAMP ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED IN CASE OF A CRASH. BMW HAS ISSUED A PARTIAL RECALL ON OTHER MODELS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V-564) CITING A DEFECT WITH REGARDS TO THE SEAT OCCUPANCY…

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VEHICLE AIRBAG WARNING AND PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING LAMP ARE DISPLAYED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" LAMP ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED IN CASE OF A CRASH. BMW HAS ISSUED A PARTIAL RECALL ON OTHER MODELS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V-564) CITING A DEFECT WITH REGARDS TO THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT BUT WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WHICH IS CLEARLY AFFECTED BY THE ISSUE. WITHOUT REPAIR A CRASH MAY VERY WELL RESULT IN UNDUE PHYSICAL HARM TO A PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584233

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.