YearToAvoid

2006 BMW 328xi Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

20/100

#9 most-complained of 11 328xi years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 BMW 328xi has 5 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #9 highest of 11 328xi model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is airbags (1 complaints, 20% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury.

Complaints
5
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2006 BMW 328xi problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags1 (20%)
  2. Brakes1 (20%)
  3. Electrical System1 (20%)
  4. Other1 (20%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (20%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers1 (20%)
2006 BMW 328xi complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2010Jul 2010May 2012Feb 2014Apr 2022
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2010 to Apr 2022; peak Jul 2010 (2).

2006 BMW 328xi recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    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. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    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, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 17V676000Oct 25, 2017Electrical System702,965 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2006 compared with other 328xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good2053—
2007Avoid100198420
2008Avoid9099320

All BMW 328xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 BMW 328xi a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 BMW 328xi ranks #9 of 11 among 328xi model years (Complaint Index 20/100, verdict: Good). It has 5 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 328xi?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (1 complaints), brakes (1 complaints), and electrical system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 33,000 miles.
Does the 2006 BMW 328xi have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 BMW 328xi, most recently reported 2024, covering airbags and electrical system.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.