Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | −60% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2010 | 0 | −60% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2009 | 0 | −60% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2008 | 0 | −60% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2007 | 0 | −60% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2006 | 104 | 32.5× | 6 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2005 | 12 | 3.5× | 4 | Airbag | Average |
| 2004 | 13 | 2.5× | 4 | Airbag | Few |
| 2003 | 33 | 5.5× | 5 | Airbag | Average |
| 2002 | 20 | 4.5× | 5 | Airbag | Average |
| 2001 | 11 | 3.5× | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2000 | 0 | −60% | 2 | — | Few |
* Complaints compared with the median 330xi year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common BMW 330xi problems
Latest BMW 330xi recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
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 module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the BMW 330xi should you avoid?
2006 — this year has the most complaints relative to other 330xi years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2006.
What is the best year for the BMW 330xi?
2000 has the fewest complaints compared with other 330xi years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2008. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common BMW 330xi problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (104), electrical system (31) and engine & cooling (18). Airbag complaints peak in the 2006 model year.
How many recalls has the BMW 330xi had?
14 recalls across 2000–2011. The model year with the most is 2006. See all BMW 330xi recalls by year.
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.