2006 BMW 330Ci

Do not drive

Owners filed 34 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags25
103
Exterior Lighting2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Structure › Body › Door1
000
Steering1
000
Engine1
000
Air Bags › Frontal1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V318000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 2015419,235 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 19, 2021MN

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 BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 27, 2019162,000 milesTX

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

Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 2018172,200 milesTX

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
Filed Feb 2, 2018120,000 milesCA

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
Filed Jan 10, 2018123,000 milesNC

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

Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 201798,000 milesMA

METAL FRAGMENTS FROM AIRBAG

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 25, 2017CA

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

Air Bags
Filed Sep 22, 2016FL

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
Filed Sep 22, 2016GA

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
Filed Aug 2, 2016128,700 milesOK

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 26, 2016TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *CN

Air Bags
Filed Jul 20, 2016MA

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 MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD BE SENDING INTERIM NOTIFICATIONS NEXT MONTH REGARDING THE PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/17

Air Bags
Filed May 17, 2016KY

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 8, 2016PA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V046000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 7, 2016KY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 31, 2016NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 21, 2016TN

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 04/12/16 *BF

Air Bags
Filed Feb 19, 201649,990 milesAZ

TAKATA RECALL I WAS TOLD BY BMW NORTH AMERICA THAT THE ONLY REMEDY FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS AN INTERIM REMEDY OF REPLACING WITH THE SAME AIRBAG, BUT A NEW ONE. DOES THE NHTSA STAND BEHIND THIS INTERIM REMEDY AS A SOLUTION TO THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS AIRBAG BY TAKATA REPRESENTS? I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR NOW OUT OF FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND HAVE TRIED TO SELL IT BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WITH NO LUCK. THEY DON'T WANT IT EITHER. DO I HAVE ANY LEGAL RECOURSE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR LOSS OF USE AND/OR INABILITY TO RESALE THE AUTO??

Air Bags
Filed Oct 5, 2015NE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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.

20 of 34 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2006 — this page34200Do not drive
200533310Do not drive
200477310Do not drive
200318400Do not drive
200246440Do not drive
200182630Do not drive
20001300Do not drive

Compare every 330Ci year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.