2006 BMW 330I Complaints and Recall Information
The 2006 BMW 330i has 2 complaints and 8 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to airbag deployment and engine fires. One complaint involves airbags unexpectedly deploying without a collision. Another complaint describes a fire originating from an oil leak under the hood while driving at highway speed.
Common Issues- Unintended airbag deployment. A front airbag deployed spontaneously without a crash, causing the windshield to break. The vehicle had open recalls related to airbags which were not addressed timely by the dealer.
- Engine fire. Smoke and fire emerged from the engine compartment while driving. Repairs identified an oil leak as the cause. The incident was connected to thermal damage linked to recalls involving engine and engine cooling systems.
Eight recalls affect this vehicle model, primarily involving the airbag system and engine components. Various recalls address defects in front passenger occupant detection mats, driver airbag inflators, and positive crankcase ventilation valves. The recalls also cover electrical wiring risks related to overheating. Repairs under recalls are offered free of charge.
Recalls- Occupant classification sensor. (NHTSA Recall 13V564000) Affected 76,565 vehicles. The front passenger seat sensor may develop cracks causing airbag deactivation in a crash, increasing injury risk. BMW notified owners starting January 2014 and repairs the detection mat free of charge.
- Passenger frontal airbag inflator rupture. (NHTSA Recall 14V428000) Affected 574,007 vehicles. Excessive internal pressure may cause the airbag inflator to rupture, sending metal fragments inside the vehicle during deployment. Owners were advised not to drive until repaired. The passenger airbag is replaced free of charge.
- Driver side airbag inflator module. (NHTSA Recall 24V513000) Affected 394,029 vehicles. Sport or M-sport steering wheels with certain inflators may explode on deployment causing injury from metal fragments. Inspection and replacement are provided at no charge.
- Positive crankcase ventilation valve heater. (NHTSA Recall 19V273000) Affected 184,505 vehicles. The PCV valve heater may short circuit and cause parts of the valve to melt, increasing fire risk even when the vehicle is off. BMW replaces the heater free of charge.
- Passenger occupant detection mat. (NHTSA Recall 17V428000) Affected 2,158 vehicles. Cracking in the detection mat may cause the passenger airbag to deactivate, increasing injury risk. Repairs and replacements are free and began in September 2017.
- Driver airbag inflators with PSAN propellant. (NHTSA Recall 20V017000) Affected 59,965 vehicles. Inflators may explode due to propellant degradation under certain environmental conditions, causing injury from debris. BMW replaces the driver airbag free of charge.
- Wiring for HVAC airflow system. (NHTSA Recall 17V676000) Affected 702,965 vehicles. Electrical connectors and wiring may overheat causing melting and fire risk when unattended. BMW offers free wiring replacement and owner notification began in November 2017.
Owners facing repeated repairs, unresolved safety defects, or incomplete recall remedies may have rights under state lemon laws. Consultation with a consumer protection attorney familiar with lemon law claims could assist in addressing these issues.
2006 BMW 330I Summary
2006
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
1994194
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2006 BMW 330I
394029 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2006 BMW 330I
59965 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2006 BMW 330I
184505 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
Risk: 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.
2006 BMW 330I
702965 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
2006 BMW 330I
2158 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
2006 BMW 330I
574007 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
2006 BMW 330I
76565 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Complaints
2006 BMW 330I
ID: 2121014ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 33I. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming into the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed fire coming from underneath the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The contact stated he had to leave the vehicle abandoned for about a month. The contact stated the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was then towed to the contact’s residence. The contact stated that a certified independent mechanic diagnosed the failure as thermal damage due to the NHTSA recalls. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak that caused the fire. The contact was informed of a recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for further investigation. The contact stated that the manufacturer initiated an investigation, and after the investigation was performed, the case was closed. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
2006 BMW 330I
ID: 2053715AIR BAGS
I was getting ready to leave my home and both front airbags deployed on me, which also resulted in my windshield breaking. I did not hit anything with the vehicle. I then looked up the VIN and noticed the 2 open recalls one is for the airbags, I contacted BMW left the service manager numerous voicemails he never returned any of my calls. Then I contacted BMW North America, I got the vehicle towed to BMW of Carslbad just before Thanksgiving 2024 I just picked up my vehicle on January 6 2025 and they did not fix the recalls on the vehicle. I have been without a vehicle since before Thanksgiving!! I have health issues and I am missing appointments. I am on a fixed income my husband just passed away. I need someone to help me I keep getting the run around. If there are open recalls they need to be fixed I don't understand.