YearToAvoid

2006 BMW 328xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2006 BMW 328xi has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 20, ranking 9th of 11 model years, but the verdict is capped at Good because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete. NHTSA lists 5 complaints and 3 recalls, mostly involving airbags.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
20/100
#9 of 11 328xi years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
5
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good

Top 2006 BMW 328xi problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly became hard to depress after cold soaking, tied to a hard-starting condition since the car requires brake depression to start, at a median 33,000 miles.
  • A passenger-side mirror failed to reset and the car jerked when the gas pedal was pressed, reported at a median 29,000 miles for transmission-related complaints.
  • Door locks became unresponsive to both the key fob and interior unlock button, leaving all doors except the driver's door unable to open from outside or inside, at a median 18,000 miles.
  • An airbag warning light stayed illuminated with a passenger seated, and the dealer said the car was not covered under an existing NHTSA airbag campaign, at a median 115,183 miles for airbag complaints.
2006 BMW 328xi complaints: complaints filed per month1Apr 2010Jul 2010May 2012Feb 2014Apr 2022
5 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2010 to Apr 2022; peak Apr 2010 (1).

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 reliable?
NHTSA lists only 5 complaints for the 2006 328xi, giving it a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among the 11 model years covered. Its verdict is Good, though capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
What recalls affect the 2006 BMW 328xi?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year: two airbag campaigns (24V513000 and 20V017000) and one electrical wiring campaign (17V676000) covering wiring and electrical connectors.
What is the top problem area for the 2006 328xi?
Airbags are the top problem area, with 1 of the 5 complaints, or 20% of the total, and a median failure mileage of 115,183 miles.
How does the 2006 328xi compare to other years?
The 2006 328xi ranks 9th worst of 11 years by complaint index (20), well below 2007 (100, Avoid) and 2008 (90, Avoid), which had far more complaints.
Were there any crashes or fires reported for the 2006 328xi?
NHTSA lists 1 crash and 1 fire among the 5 complaints for this model year, along with 1 injury and no deaths.

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.