Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 BMW 330xi owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact stated that the air bags warning and seat belts warning lights illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,100.
We took our recently purchased BMW 2006 330xi in for recalls and a few fixes. However, the BMW service center wasn't able to fix one of the issues through the recall process since it doesn't show up for our vehicle. However, everything that I read suggests that it was a recall for this make and model. We are not sure if it was supposedly addressed before we purchased the vehicle and it is now a reoccurring issue or it is a first-time issue. The airbag/seatbelt warning light is present for passenger seat occupancy detector faults. The BMW service center said it was the sensor in the front passenger seat and offered to fix it for $1000 plus. We opted to not fix it until we checked further into the situation. The light for the passenger airbag saying that it is off is currently lit, and the airbag/seatbelt light remains on at this time. Looking for more information on this issue.
Takata Airbag Safety Recall Vin:[redacted] I live in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which according to BMW and NHTSA is Zone B. My vehicle has a built date of 10/19/2005 330xi e90 model. The time in which the degradation to the propellant poses an unreasonable risk to safety is stated as a 10-15 year time frame. My car is almost 18 years old but BMW has NOT prioritized my vehicle's airbag. My vin number might not have made the list for zone A but its in zone B. I should have to wait until someone gets killed or injured. My name is [redacted] and can be reached at [redacted] My BMW dealer is Otto's BMW West Chester, PA [phone] Please demand that BMW comply with the recall information listed on clearly on your NHTSA site and BMW of America's site. (Site Last updated 01/14/2019) Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330xi. While driving various speeds, the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bags might not deploy in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to BMW of richfield (746 danbury rd, ridgefield, ct 06877, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the seat occupancy needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V564000 (air bags) and 17V428000 (air bags). The contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
I own a 2006 BMW 330xi. While driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminates. The failure recurs constantly. Also, when seated in the passenger seat, the vehicle does not register anyone in the seat. I have taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the seat occupancy sensor mat failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and I was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The vehicle experiences the exact same failure listed in the recall but my VIN is not included. The approximate failure mileage when the failure started was 53,200. The vehicle now has approximately 110,000 miles and the failure continues to happen.
Driver side stage 1 airbag malfunction occurring in my vehicle with a dash light. When I search my VIN for this recall, it does not show up. But it does show that there was a recall for 2006 BMW 330xi's and other 3 series. This problem needs to be addressed for every 2006-2011 BMW 3 series because it affected all of the cars. Why is this not being taken care of and why is it not a recall for my car as well as others that are complaining? This is a very bad safety feature that should be taken care of. Thank you, a person who drives a 2006 BMW 330xi, and deserves their car recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330xi. While driving 10 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, the passenger restraint system, fault in passenger restraint system, affecting air bag belt tensioner or belt force limiter was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and unknown repairs were performed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic for additional unknown repairs. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
The passenger restraint system alert message appeared on the vehicle display. The message reads "fault in passenger restraint system affecting the airbag, belt tensioner or belt force limiter. Continue to wear the safety belt". I took the vehicle to the local BMW dealer and they stated this vehicle problem was not covered by the BMW airbag recall. The dealer generically quoted that a repair to the mrs control system needed repaired/ replaced and would cost $975.00. This alert message does not stay on all of the time, it is intermittent.
Recently the airbag and seat belt sensor indicated a failure. I can attribute such failure to a defective sensor (placed in the seat mat). When I contacted BMW USA, they refused to include my vehicle in the recall (campaign [redacted]). I would appreciate the NHTSA / dot to investigate expanding the recall to all e90 / 2006 BMW 330xi not just models produced after 12/ 2005. I took delivery of my vehicle in 11/2005. Thank you, [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 330xi. While driving various speeds, the passenger side air bags and seat belt warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (sun motor cars BMW, 6691 carlisle pike, mechanicsburg, pa 17050; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the passenger seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the VIN was not part of a recall and the contact had to pay for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Related 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 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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant…
Airbag complaints in other 330xi years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 BMW 330xi?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 BMW 330xi, 64% of the model year's 104 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 BMW 330xi airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-513 (inflator module, Jul 3, 2024); NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 17V-428 (occupant classification, Jul 6, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 330xi airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles.
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.