2006 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 1,243 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 29 involved a crash and 40 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalAug 5, 2008
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 08V384000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control armOct 18, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.
THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTED CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CONNECTION. IN SOME CASES, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND THE SWIVEL BEARING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Campaign 06V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
667 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A RESONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 10, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 330I WITH MY WIFE IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND THE SPEED WAS AT 45 MPH. CALLED BMW BUT THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY BMW TO THE DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE. SAFETY RECALLS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. THIS WORRIES ME BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES A 2006 BMW Z4. I THINK THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO MORE VEHICLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Nov 7, 2014
AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN (SEE BELOW) FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS, YET APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN. THE DISABLED PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND CLEARLY MY VIN SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008 TODAY, BMW ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. AFFECTED ARE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 3-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-06 5-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES, DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. BMW HAS FOUND THAT THE SENSOR MAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE USAGE DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
STARTED CAR APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS AGO AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR. WHILE THE CURRENT RECALL DESCRIBES THE SAME ISSUES, THE VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN . *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM I'M MY BMW FAILED TO WORK AND HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS MADE. AIRBAGS STILL DISABLED, BMW WON'T FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 12/9/14*CN UPDATE 06/1/2015 *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 23, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, MODEL AND YEAR ID FOR RECALL, BUT NOT ID UNDER VIN NUMBER. *TR
Air bags, Oct 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE SENSOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ERROR AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V348000 (AIR BAGS), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Air bags, Oct 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Air bags, Sep 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Sep 11, 2014
EVERY TIME I CRANK MY CAR I GET PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING. *TR
Air bags, Sep 11, 2014
VEHICLE HAS 148,000 MILES. THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY BMW FOR US IN 2010. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US ABOUT THE CURRENT RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. OUR CAR DOES HAVE THE SPORT SEATS AND DOES FALL WITHIN THE DATES OF MANUFACTURE (JAN, 2006) . HOWEVER, AFTER SPEAKING WITH [XXX] AT BMW TODAY SHE INFORMED ME THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE PART THAT IS BAD NOT THE AGE OF THE PART. I FEEL THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM NOT SO SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD EVEN WORK IF WE WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Aug 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2014
WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, PERIODICALLY RECEIVE MESSAGE FROM BMW325I ALERT SYSTEM STATING THAT THE AIRBAG/SEAT BELT SYSTEM FOR PASSENGER SEAT IS FAULTY IN ITS OPERATION AND NEEDS TO BE CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FEEL THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO BMW'S RECENT RECALL LIST AND REPAIR SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER TO REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *TR
Air bags, Engine, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED EVEN WHEN THE SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/29/14*LJ UPDATED 4/23/15 *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 19, 2014
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A STANDARD OIL CHANGE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE LIGHT TURNING SIGNAL NOT WORKING AND I ALSO ADVISED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST ME MORE THAN 800 DOLLARS. I QUESTIONED IF IT WAS PART OF THE MOST RECENT RECALL BUT WAS ADVISED NO. SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE OF THE SAME VEHICLE AND ISSUE AND NOT BEING INCLUDED, THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. PLEASE ADVISE HOW CARS ARE PICKED AS IT SEEMS THE CARS THAT WERE NOT NOTIFIED ARE THE ONES THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT OR SIMILAR ISSUE OF WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR. I RECENTLY MOVED AS WELL SO I'M WONDERING WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LETTER IF THERE WAS ONE WAS SENT TO THE INCORRECT PLACE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 16, 2014
THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT/ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE COVERED BY A RECENT BMW RECALL I FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE. THIS ALERT STARTED TO COME UP IN MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO, BUT IT NOW STAYS ON. I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL AND WAS WAITING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM BMW BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY. I WENT TO THE BMW CENTER IN ALEXANDRIA, VA THIS WEEK (8/15/14) TO SEE IF THIS WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT. I ALSO CALLED THEIR 1-800 CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. HOWEVER, I JUST FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS ISSUE (SEE LINK BELOW) ON THIS WEBSITE WHERE IT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDES MY MODEL YEAR CAR (BMW 2006 325XI). MY CAR IS NOW NOT PASSING VA INSPECTION DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THIS REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $2,000, WHICH I DON'T HAVE AT THIS MOMENT. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO HOW I CAN BEST EXPEDITE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS UNDER THIS RECALL, TO DEAL WITH THIS SECURITY ISSUE AND SO THAT I CAN RENEW MY INSPECTION STICKER AS REQUIRED BY VA LAW.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE MAT SENSOR WAS FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT NO REMEDY WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEIGHT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.....UPDATED 09-09-14 *BF UPDATED 11/18/14
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 12, 2014
CAR STARTED SHOWING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". I RESEARCHED THE MATTER, AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL. WHEN I CALLED BMW AND GAVE THEM MY VIN, THEY CLAIMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. ALMOST EVERY OTHER BMW FROM THAT SERIES/MODEL WAS RECALLED AND GOT THE ISSUE RECTIFIED UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Aug 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 08-28-14 *BF