10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,111 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #17

Feb 252023

330

  • 149,000 miles
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.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #16

Mar 022022

330

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #15

Mar 022022

330

  • miles
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.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 292022

330

  • miles
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.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #13

Mar 022022

330

  • 88,000 miles
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.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #12

Mar 022022

330

  • 0 miles
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.

- Panorama City, CA, USA

problem #11

Jun 062019

330

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. 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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms remedy not yet available.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #10

Jun 022020

330

  • 75,000 miles
The contact's brother owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact stated while his mother was driving approximately 30-40 MPH, she smelled a burning plastic odor and the vehicle started to overheat. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #9

Jan 052021

330

  • 300,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330XI. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. The check engine warning light, the coolant temperature warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited. The contact then continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving and smoke would come out from underneath the hood and through the vent inside of the vehicle while driving, and the vehicle would occasionally stall. Additionally, the contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and failed to restart twice. The vehicle was then towed twice to the contact's residence. The contact's father, who is an independent mechanic, could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained at the residence undrivable. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Northampton, PA, USA

problem #8

Apr 022022

330

  • 111,000 miles
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. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 062021

330 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
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. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling) on 4/25/2022. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Consumer stated her vehicle hit a donkey head on but none of the airbags went off.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #6

Oct 022014

330

  • 150,000 miles
Coolant leaking from reservoir tank. A common issue among bmws- and is currently effecting my 330xi 2006. The expansion tank is faulty and wondering if the tank and hoses are tested to even withstand the "BMW brand" name coolant.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #5

Sep 232013

330 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
White smoke coming though ac ducts. When taken to shop they said it was coolant leak in heater core. Replacement would cost me $3000-$4000.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 182013

330 6-cyl

  • 55,856 miles
I have a 2006 325I sedan with 55,856 miles on it. I took it in for a routine service on 4-18-2013. It has been maintained by only BMW dealerships in its lifetime with all required maintenance done on schedule. They called to notify me that upon inspection they had found the head bolt broken behind the oil filter housing, the oil filter housing gasket leaking and the drive belt tensioner leaking. I had not been experiencing any outward S+S of this problem. They quoted me $3400 to repair this. I was shocked that a car in such great condition would have such a problem at this mileage. I asked why this would happen and essentially was told it is unusual but does happen. They advised a repair in the future. I went home and researched this and found it has been a common problem in this model and that subsequently BMW has changed the type of bolt they use. So I thought I would call the customer service line to follow up on any assistance from BMW. Long story short they took the complaint but because I have a low mileage vehicle that has been outside of warranty for 3+ years they would offer no help. You know shame on BMW this is my 4th BMW and very likely my last due to this. This should be a recall, this should not be happening no matter how long it took to get to the 50,000 mile + range where this problem shows itself.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012011

330

  • 110,000 miles
My BMW 300 series wagon (2006) had a brake and emergency warning light turn on. There was also a smell of burning oil. My mechanic identified the problem as broken aluminum bolts on the cylinder. He said he personally sees this all the time on 2006 models, that BMW is aware, and that they redesigned the part for later years. Likewise, my BMW dealer is aware of it and a simple google search finds at least 1000 complaints posted at various sites on the web. Aluminum does not hold up in this setting and these bolts cost more than$1200 to repair. I am told by my mechanic that it usually happens after 60K miles which means most are off warranty. BMW is aware and should either do a courtesy repair or be forced to do the right thing by NHTSA.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #2

Jun 072011

330

  • 97,793 miles
The cylinder bolt broke and BMW is refusing to repair the broken bolt under an active warranty. BMW is aware that the cylinder bold on these models has been known to fail and is now being made out of a different material in newer models. I requested that BMW pay for the cost of this repair because we are aware of it being and issue and they refused to do so under an active extended coverage warranty. It is a part that should be on recall for models using this particular aluminum cylinder bolt. I am very frustrated to have paid $4,000+ for an extended warranty that does not cover a $4,260.50 repair. Peter pan BMW has been very helpful but BMW of North America and assurant who authorizes repairs has been unresponsive and denied repair.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 112011

330

  • 76,239 miles
BMW is aware that the cylinder bolt on these models has been known to fail and are now being made out of a different material in newer models. We requested that BMW pay for the cost of this repair, because we know they are aware of it being an issue and they refused to do so. It is definitely a part that should be on recall for all models using this material in the cylinder head bold. Updated 04/21/11

- San Leandro, CA, USA