BMW 330XI fire or smoke problems

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · IA · fire

“The PCV valve heater (positive crankcase ventilation heater) on my 2006 BMW 330xi failed and caused an engine bay electrical fire. This component is under an active BMW safety recall for fire risk. The failure happened suddenly while driving, with no prior warning lights or symptoms. Smoke began coming from the engine area, followed by visible flames. My safety was put at risk, and I immediately exited the vehicle. The vehicle became inoperable and was towed by the City of Chicago. The car has since been declared a total loss due to the fire. The vehicle is currently in the city impound and available for inspection upon request. The problem has not been inspected by a dealer yet because the vehicle was destroyed before I received the recall repair.”

Filed Jun 2, 2019 · 128,909 miles · NH · fire

On 6-3-2016 my 2006 bmw 330xi started on fire in the parking lot at my place of employment. As I pulled my car into a parking space, I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I parked the car, shut it off and I opened the hood and saw small flames on the driver's side of the engine compartment. I was able to put the fire out myself. I noticed that some engine components were burned and melted. At the end of the workday I had the car towed to ava restoration in dublin, new hampshire. They completed the necessary repairs. The owner told me that there was a short in the pcv valve heater(also referred to as an angle connector) and it had caused damage to the intake manifold and wiring harness. After the repairs were completed I was able to continue driving my car. I contacted bmw in january 2018 after learning that they recalled 2007 models for the same component failure. I explained my situation to them and told them they should expand the recall to cover 2006 models also. I also told them that I wanted to speak to a representative about getting reimbursement for my repair costs. They told me I had to get my car examined at a local bmw dealer and that someone from their corporate office in new jersey would call me about the matter. The representatives at the dealership were less than helpful and the representative from their corporate office left me a message at 8:45 pm one night and then never called me back after I tried to reach her several times and got only voice mail. I received a letter from bmw recently saying that my car now has a recall on the pcv valve heater, recall 19v‑273. I believe that bmw knew about this problem for a long time and did not address it, willingly putting vehicle owners at risk. In addition, the owner of ava restoration told me he repaired a number of bmws that had fire damage caused by the same malfunction.

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · PA · fire

The smell of electircal fire and thick black smoke poored out the left side of my stearing colum. Flames started to shoot out and enguffed my bmw to nothing!

Filed Jun 29, 2018 · Engine · 106,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 bmw 330xi. While the vehicle was parked at the contact's job, the front end caught fire. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering pump was replaced days before the fire, but it was unknown if the repair contributed to the fire. There were no injuries. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed, but not towed. The fire department informed the contact that once a police report was filed, they could disclose specifically where the fire originated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed May 18, 2018 · Electrical · NY

The blower motor wiring overheats and causes the vehicle to catch on fire. This recall has been out for several months now, and they have not had a fix for it yet. I don't need my car catching on fire, I have a one year old, it is not easy to get them out of the car.

Filed Feb 12, 2018 · Engine · 195,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to bmw of bloomfield (425 bloomfield ave, bloomfield, nj 07003) and repaired. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, he noticed a burning odor and smoke throughout the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle, lifted the hood, and noticed smoke coming from under the engine coolant and expansion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The contact then called bmw of bloomfield at (973) 233-5147 where the dealer him to bring the vehicle back for diagnostic testing at his expense. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2014 · Engine · 135,000 miles · WA · fire

Car had not been driven all day until evening when I drove car 4-5 miles to one residence, continued with passenger for another few miles to another residence, parked and turned off the car. Remained in car briefly while finishing a conversation when noticed gray/white smoke coming from under hood on passenger side of car. Got out of vehicle, called for help from resident. When use of 2 personal extinguishers didn't help, called fire department who responded and put out the fire. Fire department report notes engine compartment was fully involved when they arrived and appears fire started in right front corner, but unable to make fire cause determination due to heavy fire involvement. Insurance company has declared it a total loss.

Filed Oct 13, 2013 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · IN

I was in a parking garage the weekend after I had just bought my 2003 bmw 330xi man it was beautiful, I had my girlfriend with me at the time. Upon trying to exit the vehicle we couldn't nothing would unlock the doors, nothing would roll down the windows, this was extremely embarrassing to be happening on a date. She couldn't believe we were stuck in the car and there was no way out. Luckily having my cell phone I was able to call 911 so they could help me. I managed to have the sunroof open at the time and was able to hand them my keys where they could place the key inside of the key hole and manual unlock the doors. This is only the first experience I ever had. I only called the police so they could take note of the issue of the safety. I have taken family out for outings only to find out they all have to climb out of windows or through the drivers door. I've even had to climb out of my own car I refuse to put a dime into fixing this as its caused me embarrassment to the point I hardly drive it unless I go somewhere alone. I even have a seat belt that doesn't work for no reason. The gm5 needs to be recalled image if I had a child or family back there the car was on fire and the only way to get them out is to open the door and you can't because of a faulty piece of equipment.

Filed Jul 10, 2012 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330 xi. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the instrument panel caught fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The police were contacted and a fire report was on file. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed that the VIN qualified for repairs under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). The failure and current mileages were 110,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Electrical · MD · fire

The car began smoking near the port for the iphone charger on the dash (lighter.) the portal was cold to the touch. After about more 20 yards the cockpit filled with smoke. The car was still driving fine and was quickly pulled to an empty part of the parking lot and was turned off. After pulling the hood release I jumped from the car and shut the door -- I immediately tried re-opening it to let the smoke from the cockpit and the door would not open by touch or with the key fob. I lifted the hood and the engine looked clean. To the far right (my left) on passenger side, against the firewall smoke was coming out in a thin line and then I saw a small flash of fire so I ran 20 to thirty yards and the car burst into flames. I called 911 and within 3-5 minutes it was engulfed in flames. It had been serviced at the dealer in april 2011, four months earlier. It had no history of issues and was regularly serviced.