2006 BMW 330CI Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 22 do-not-drive
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 BMW 330CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW 330CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 26 complaints (76% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and suspension (2). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags26 76%
- Exterior lighting2 5.9%
- Suspension2 5.9%
- Engine1 2.9%
- Other or unknown1 2.9%
- Steering1 2.9%
- Body and structure1 2.9%
- Tires1 2.9%
Example complaints
Air bags: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11151622, filed 2018-11, 172,200 milesExterior lighting: “Headlights failing while driving. Bmw used poor insulation inside headlight assemblies that degrade overtime and fail causing significant safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11061604, filed 2018-01, 123,000 milesSuspension: “A knocking noise was coming from the front end whenever going over small bumps. Vehicle was taken in for tire rotation. While tires were being rotated, the technician noticed a lot of play in the front wheels. Upon further investigation, the ball joint that connects the front wheel assembly was extremely worn out causing approximately 6 inches of play in the front left wheel. The technician checked the right wheel and noticed that it too was becoming very worn. The technician told me that if this would have failed completely while driving, I would have lost control of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10447283, filed 2012-02, 49,526 milesEngine: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11066685, filed 2018-02, 120,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
36% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,526 and 123,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 BMW 330CI. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series · sedan RWD/AWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2006 BMW 330CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330ci RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 330ci RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 330ci Convertible RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 330ci Convertible RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: BMW 330CI 2000–2006, M3 2000–2006, 325CI 2000–2006 +11 more
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…
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: BMW 330CI 2002–2006, M3 2002–2006, 325CI 2002–2006 +9 more
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…
Recall details for the 2006 BMW 330CI → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10218369Jun 1, 2022Body and structure. Whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Steering, Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with…
- 10184591Nov 1, 2020Air bags, Equipment. SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Air bags. Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149558Oct 1, 2018Electrical system, Air bags. For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
Other model years of the BMW 330CI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 34 | 76,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 33 | 66,612 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 77 | 51,672 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 18 | 110,000 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 2002 | 46 | 88,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 82 | 112,171 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All BMW 330CI model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 BMW 330CI have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW 330CI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 BMW 330CI is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 26 complaints (76% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.
Has the 2006 BMW 330CI been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 330CI get?
The EPA rates the 2006 BMW 330CI (330ci, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 BMW 330CI reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,000 miles and the middle half falls between 49,526 and 123,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.