Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 BMW 330i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the air conditioning unit suddenly shut off and smoke began to come out of the air conditioning vents. After the contact exited the vehicle flames were present coming from under the passenger side dashboard. The fire and police departments were called to the scene and the flames were extinguished. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. A fire and a police report were taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The local dealer was notified of the incident. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000.
My car was just sitting in my driveway and my roommate noticed she said is there is your car supposed to be on fire and we went out there had to break the windows and it was already on fire and totally ruined from any repair. I didn't receive a recall until a year after it had already caught on fire. The car is totaled in my backyard. And is beyond repair because of the fire
All door lock actuators (including the fuel cap door cover) stopped working after driving the vehicle. The passenger and both rear doors were able to open via the inside door handle, but the driver side door could not be unlocked via the key fob, console lock button, or manually pulling the inside door handle. The fuel cap door cover could only be opened via the emergency release pull in the trunk. After inspecting the fuse box, I found that fuse 57a was blown. I replaced the fuse and the locking mechanisms started functioning again. weeks later the same issue occurred, only replacing the fuses remedied the problem for only a day or two. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. When the engine was started and the defroster was activated, a popping noise was heard under the hood and an unusual odor emitted from the vents. The contact immediately turned the engine off and exited the vehicle. Within seconds, flames appeared under the hood. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. The contact stated that the fire spread and damaged the plastic tail light cover and paint of another vehicle parked in the driveway. The fire department determined that there was an electrical failure near the motor. The vehicle was driven from the scene. There were no injuries. An unknown dealer stated that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system:wiring). The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (competition BMW of smithtown, 599 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780, [phone]) was unable to verify when the parts would be supplied from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact was also informed by the dealer that there was an option of a loaner vehicle. The contact had not yet received the loaner option and was to check with the manufacturer. The contact stated that smoke entered the vehicle and he heard an abnormal noise. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available. * (recall related incident) ts
Fire hazard: adaptive headlight controller car in motion, heavy rain, 'road following headlight' stopped working (I.e., headlight still illuminating, but would not swivel to follow direction of turns anymore). Dashboard code cc-id 295. Upon later inspection, OBD reported ista codes 0932c: frm acl faulty; 009cbd; frm communication with step motor left disrupted; 009cbe: frm communication with step motor rigth disrupted during replacement of faulty module (p/n 63127189312), evidence of past electrical fire found: strong burnt electrical insulator smell, wire harness in the headlight housing molten, extensive fire damage to both the module pcb and the electrical connector between the module and the headlight housing.
Passenger seat airbags are disabled due to restraint detection malfunction. A message appears upon turning on the vehicle which states that due to restraint system detection fault, passenger airbags and restraint system will be turned off. Problem started as an intermittent issue and developed into a continual one. Happened for the first time in April 2014 and has continued to worsen. Car is equipped with BMW OEM sport seats. This issue appears to be in line with recall from NHTSA campaign number 13v-564. However, BMW does not recognize my VIN as being a part of this recall.
I got home from an outting with friends and "passenger restraint systems malfunction" appeared on my screen. Did alittle research, my passenger seat airbag will either deploy metal shards or not deploy at all incase of an accident. Or the seatbelt will not properly engage. The dealership says they are "VIN specific" and can only do my driver side. But everybody seems to only have the passenger side problem. They have the sensor in stock that can save a life, but they don't want to do the job just because my "VIN" does not match for the recall in their computers!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while traveling 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact crashed into a median. There were no injuries. However, the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 27,000. ..updated 11/14/12
BMW has issued a recall with no resolution. My engine is making noises from the crankcase and no alternative has been offered at this moment. The dealer does not want to address the issue.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017.
Electrical complaints in other 330i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 BMW 330i?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 BMW 330i, 16% of the model year's 219 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 BMW 330i electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-676 (wiring, Oct 25, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 330i electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.