BMW 330xi complaints by model year
193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 104 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| 2005 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2004 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2003 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 2002 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| 2001 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 2001–2006. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 67 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Tires | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
BMW 330xi recalls (14)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one 330xi model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V513000 | Jul 3, 2024 | Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode | 2006–2011 | 20.2% |
| 21V401000 | May 27, 2021 | Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Underinflate Bag | 1999, 2000, 2001 | 50.8% |
| 20V018000 | Jan 15, 2020 | Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode | 2000–2005 | 42.4% |
| 20V017000 | Jan 15, 2020 | Driver Air Bag Inflators May Explode | 2006–2011 | 78.2% |
| 19V273000 | Apr 4, 2019 | PCV Heater may Short Circuit | 2006 | 31.4% |
| 14V428000 | Jun 11, 2018 | Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture | 2001–2005 | 29.1% |
| 17V676000 | Oct 25, 2017 | Blower Motor Wiring may Overheat | 2006–2011 | 51.4% |
| 17V428000 | Jul 6, 2017 | Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection Mat Defect | 2006 | 30.4% |
| 15V318000 | May 28, 2015 | Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture | 2002–2005 | 33.4% |
| 13V564000 | Nov 12, 2013 | Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat Defect | 2006 | 45.9% |
| 13V172000 | May 2, 2013 | Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture | 2002, 2003 | — |
| 11V438000 | Aug 26, 2011 | REAR LAMPS IN BODY PANEL | 2002–2005 | — |
| 02V138000 | May 16, 2002 | BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN | 2001 | — |
| 01V206000 | Jun 21, 2001 | BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN | 2001 | — |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
BMW 330xi FAQ
How many recalls has the BMW 330xi had?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns that cover at least one BMW 330xi model year from 2001 to 2006. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which BMW 330xi year has the most complaints?
Among the last 6 model years with settled counts, the 2006 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (104) and the 2001 the fewest (11). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common BMW 330xi problems?
Across the 2001–2006 model years, owners most often name the air bags, electrical system, seat belts in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the BMW 330xi get?
EPA rates the 2006 BMW 330xi at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.