2006 BMW 330ci recalls and problems

The 2006 BMW 330ci has 2 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 20V-018, recall 15V-318 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
34
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2006 BMW 330ci vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 BMW 330ci recalls

Recall 20V-018: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 15V-318: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2006 BMW 330ci problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags26
Suspension2
Exterior Lighting2
Structure1
Tires1
Steering1
Engine1
Unknown or Other1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 1
  • Suspension › Front — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 79,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 BMW 330ci complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 162,000 miles · reported Jan 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…
Air Bags · at 172,200 miles · reported Nov 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…
Engine · at 120,000 miles · reported Feb 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 · at 123,000 miles · reported Jan 10, 2018
Headlights failing while driving. Bmw used poor insulation inside headlight assemblies that degrade overtime and fail causing significant safety hazard.
Air Bags · reported Sep 22, 2016
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.

Other BMW 330ci years

Compare all BMW 330ci years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 BMW 330ci have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 BMW 330ci: 20V-018 (air bags), 15V-318 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 BMW 330ci?

Owners report air bags problems most often (26 reports), followed by suspension (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 79,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.