The 2006 BMW 330i has 5 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks and a driver's airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
The fire risks come from two different systems. The wiring and electrical connectors for the heating and air conditioning system can overheat and melt, raising the risk of fire even when the car is parked and unattended. Separately, the heater inside the positive crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit, melting internal components and also creating a fire risk while the vehicle sits unused. On the airbag side, both recalls involve the driver's frontal inflator: one covers vehicles with their original steering wheel, and the other covers vehicles where the original wheel may have been swapped for a sport or M-sport wheel, each carrying the same risk of an inflator explosion sending sharp metal into the driver or passengers. There is also a concern with the front passenger seat sensor on vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option: if the sensor fails, the front passenger airbag can be disabled in a crash, reducing protection for that occupant.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator in certain replacement sport or M-sport steering wheels can explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing it to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow in the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat sensor mat that controls air bag deployment can develop cracks from wear, potentially causing the air bag system to fail in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair or replace the occupant detection mat at no cost to prevent cracking and restore proper air bag function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
