NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 BMW 330CI Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 BMW 330CI has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 34 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 BMW 330CI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 BMW 330CI owner complaints

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 330CI, describing incidents dated September 10, 2006 to June 1, 2021.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 26 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Of the 34 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 34 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11425538 · Filed July 19, 2021
2006 BMW 330CI CENTER CONSOLE EXPLOSION POSSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC MATERIAL NEAR GEAR SHIFTER. -Bubble on the console was produced by heat in the car that resulted in it bursting and the spattering of a black petroleum substance that could have distracted the driver or injured a passenger…
ODI #11172440 · Filed January 27, 2019
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, ON NOVEMBER 10, 2018, I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE, AND WHEN UPON ENTERING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AN ENTRANCE RAMP FROM TOMBALL PARKWAY ONTO BELTWAY 8, I SUDDENLY NOTICED A METAL POLE THAT WAS RESTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, IN AN ATTEMPT…
ODI #11151622 · Filed November 14, 2018
IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, ON NOVEMBER 10, 2018, AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE, AND WHEN UPON ENTERING AN ENTRANCE RAMP FROM TOMBALL PARKWAY ONTO BELTWAY 8, I SUDDENLY NOTICED A METAL POLE THAT WAS RESTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID IT I BRAKED AND WHEN THE…

Read all 34 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 BMW 330CI in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA15-001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since February 24, 2015
- Recall 14V-668
- Recall 15V-284
- Recall 15V-285
- Recall 15V-286
- Recall 15V-287
- Recall 15V-312
- and 188 more on the investigation page
Preliminary Evaluation PE14-016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Closed March 2, 2015
- Recall 13V-172
- Recall 14V-428
- Recall 14V-700
- Recall 14V-763
- Recall 14V-770
- Recall 14V-787
- and 3 more on the investigation page
Engineering Analysis EA08-001: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed December 31, 2008
- Recall 08V-384

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #20V018000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 292,948 vehicles

Repair completion: 42.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 13, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant 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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #15V318000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 28, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 419,235 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.39% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 19, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2006 BMW 330CI. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

34 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 330CI.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11425538

Incident: June 1, 2021 · Filed: July 19, 2021

2006 BMW 330CI CENTER CONSOLE EXPLOSION POSSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC MATERIAL NEAR GEAR SHIFTER. -Bubble on the console was produced by heat in the car that resulted in it bursting and the spattering of a black petroleum substance that could have distracted the driver or injured a passenger and/or driver. -The possibility of a reoccurrence does exit due to the ongoing heat wave in Minnesota. -The front car seats and console had nothing laying on top of them at the time of occurrence. -Car was inspected by local BMW dealer in Wayzata, Minnesota. -Car was also inspected by a collision repair center, referred by BMW dealer. -BMW corporate is aware of the issue and pictures were provided. -BMW corporate has denied assistance due to the age of the car per Logan @ BMW corporate on 07/19/2021. -I was told there had not been a recall or any other report of a similar incident from BMW.

Air Bags

ODI #11172440

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: November 10, 2018 · Filed: January 27, 2019

TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, ON NOVEMBER 10, 2018, I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE, AND WHEN UPON ENTERING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AN ENTRANCE RAMP FROM TOMBALL PARKWAY ONTO BELTWAY 8, I SUDDENLY NOTICED A METAL POLE THAT WAS RESTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID IT, I BRAKED AND WHEN THE CAR BECAME STATIONARY, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS DID 'NOT' FULLY INFLATE WHICH SEEMED TO FUNCTION WITH A 'SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.' MOREOVER, I STRONGLY BELIEVE RECALL 15V318000 AND RECALL 14V348000 THAT WERE INSTALLED AT MOMENTUM BMW ON MARCH 9, 2018 WHICH REPLACED MY TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS WITH ANOTHER SET OF TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS CONTAINED A 'SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.' AS A CONSEQUENCE, I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND EYE-RELATED BODILY INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. IN ADDITION, ON DECEMBER 10, 2108, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER TO HOUSTON, TEXAS TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE, BUT THE COMPANY WILL 'NOT' PROVIDE ME THE DATA ANALYSIS OF ITS FINDINGS, AND IT CLAIMS THAT THE COMPANY OWNS THAT PROPRIETARY DATA. MY VEHICLE IS CLEAR OF LIENS AND IS PAID-OFF. MOREOVER, ON JANUARY 10, 2019, THE COMPANY STATED IN A LETTER THAT THE TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS FULLY DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THIS IS A FALSE STATEMENT BECAUSE THE TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS DID 'NOT' FULLY DEPLOY, AND MY PASSENGER AND I WERE SHOCKED OF THIS MALFUNCTION. AS OF TODAY, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA CONFIRMED THAT THE TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SET OF TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS. WHY WERE THESE AIRBAGS NOT REPLACED WITH AN ALTERNATIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER? IN CLOSING, CAN FEDERAL SAFETY OFFICIALS INSPECT MY VEHICLE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS BECAUSE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA IS 'HIDING' THE DATA ANALYSIS FROM ME? I AM SUBMITTING A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS OF THE CRASH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE.

Air Bags

ODI #11151622

Incident: November 10, 2018 · Filed: November 14, 2018

IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, ON NOVEMBER 10, 2018, AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE, AND WHEN UPON ENTERING AN ENTRANCE RAMP FROM TOMBALL PARKWAY ONTO BELTWAY 8, I SUDDENLY NOTICED A METAL POLE THAT WAS RESTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID IT I BRAKED AND WHEN THE CAR BECAME STATIONARY, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING WITH MY FRONT BUMPER. MOREOVER, I STRONGLY BELIEVE RECALL 15V318000 AND RECALL 14V348000 THAT WERE INSTALLED AT MOMENTUM BMW ON MARCH 9, 2018 WERE DEFECTIVE MODULES OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE PROPELLANT IN THE AIRBAG INFLATOR BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE MY CAR WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, I ALSO SUSPECT THAT THE DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE OCCUPANT-DETECTION SENSORS IN MY SPORT SEATS. IT BEGS AN ANSWER TO THE FOLLOWING: WHY DID THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM ACTIVATE WITHOUT ANY FRONTAL IMPACT TO MY CAR? SEE ALSO ODI 11172440 *DSY

Engine

ODI #11066685

Incident: June 10, 2016 · Filed: February 2, 2018

THIS ISSUE IS WITH THE PISTON RINGS OF THE BMW M54 ENGINE. IT BURNS OIL AT A CRAZY RATE AND ONLY NOW ARE PEOPLE FINALLY FIGURING OUT THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. BMW LISTS SEVERAL OTHER FIXES FOR THE OIL BURNING ISSUE, BUT NONE OF THEM SOLVE THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE OWNER TO SEEK REPAIRS THAT DON'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. BMW STATES THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THE M54 ENGINE TO BURN UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS ENGINE IS IN MANY DIFFERENT BMW MODELS AND MANY OWNERS ARE EFFECTED. MY CAR NOW BURNS ABOUT 1 QUART FOR EVERY 500 MILES I DRIVE.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11061604

Incident: January 2, 2018 · Filed: January 10, 2018

HEADLIGHTS FAILING WHILE DRIVING. BMW USED POOR INSULATION INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT DEGRADE OVERTIME AND FAIL CAUSING SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.

Air Bags

ODI #11015305

Incident: August 15, 2017 · Filed: August 15, 2017

METAL FRAGMENTS FROM AIRBAG

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10956935

Incident: January 1, 2017 · Filed: February 25, 2017

PASSENGER-SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT ERROR, RESULTING IN DASH LIGHT AND LED TAILLIGHT NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED.

Air Bags

ODI #10908746

Incident: September 22, 2016 · Filed: September 22, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags

ODI #10908700

Incident: May 28, 2016 · Filed: September 22, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags

ODI #10892402

Incident: August 2, 2016 · Filed: August 2, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V318. VEHICLE BMW 330CI 2006 DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG. ON JUNE 17, 2015 I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP, JACKIE COOPER BMW IN EDMOND, OK, PHONE NUMBER (405) 755-3600 AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PURSUANT TO BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V-428. HOWEVER, AT THAT TIME THEY SAID "WE DON'T HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. AS OF AUGUST 2, 2016, THIS DEALERSHIP (A BMW DEALERSHIP) IS STILL TELLING ME "WE DON'T HAVE THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG AND DON'T KNOW WHEN WE CAN GET IT. SORRY." THEY ARE OFFERING NO FURTHER EXPLANATION OR REFERRAL TO ANOTHER SOURCE TO GET THIS AIR BAG REPLACED. I HAVE UPLOADED A COPY OF MY REGISTRATION.

Other BMW 330CI model years

Check your 2006 BMW 330CI VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 330CI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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