2006 BMW 330i Engine Problems

26 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2006 BMW 330i to NHTSA — 12% of all 219 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 100,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 12 330i model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 9). One related recall has been issued.

26complaints
100ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
6fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
    1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    00%
  • 25k–50k
    00%
  • 50k–75k
    316%
  • 75k–100k
    632%
  • 100k–150k
    842%
  • 150k+
    211%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 BMW 330i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 33I. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming into the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed fire coming from underneath the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The contact stated he had to leave the vehicle abandoned for about a month. The contact stated the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that a certified independent mechanic diagnosed the failure as thermal damage due to the NHTSA recalls. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak that caused the fire. …

101,000 miles · Dec 2024 · fire

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving 65 mph, he heard an abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road and exit before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The driver saw the fire starting under the transmission. The driver stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The driver stated the fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The driver stated the police did arrive at the location and filed a police report. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact towed the vehicle to the record yard. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …

100,000 miles · Dec 2021 · fire

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and the engine exploded. The automatic transmission gearbox warning light illuminated. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of dark smoke and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished independently. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the engine, the valves and the engine compartment were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling), which she associated with the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. …

111,000 miles · Apr 2022 · fire

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. The contact parked the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Prior to the failure, the dealer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available and scheduled an appointment for April. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

149,000 miles · Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, she noticed that the engine was extremely hot. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

88,000 miles · Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting an abnormal oil burning odor. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mar 2022

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.

100,000 miles · Apr 2018 · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. Two minutes after the vehicle was started, the contact noticed an abnormal odor and smoke under the hood. Also, the inside of the vehicle became extremely warm. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. * (recall related incident) ts

90,000 miles · Oct 2017 · fire

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA recall 19V-273 · Apr 4, 2019 · 184,505 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine complaints in other 330i years

’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25103831262314102091
Engine complaints per model year, BMW 330i.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2006 BMW 330i?

NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 BMW 330i, 12% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › crankcase (pcv) (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2006 BMW 330i engine problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-273 (crankcase (pcv), Apr 4, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2006 BMW 330i engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.