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, Feb 15, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES THAT HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THIS DEFECT LED TO THE FOLLOWING INDICATIONS IN THE VEHICLE: OVERHEAD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE SYSTEM CHECK WINDOW (DIGITAL DISPLAY BETWEEN TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER) INDICATED A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS FAILURE FOR 2006 3 SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST THAT NHTSA AND BMW NEGOTIATED. BMW HAS DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT 200,000 OTHER BMW?S HAD. THERE IS A PRECEDENT FOR FAILURE WITH THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE COST TO THE CONSUMER TO CORRECT THIS THREAT TO SAFETY IS APPROXIMATELY $1400. NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THIS RECALL LIST TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE COST BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER IN THIS CASE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 12, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS ALREADY. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST THAT NHTSA AND BMW NEGOTIATED. THEREFORE, BMW HAS DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THIS UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT 200,000 OTHER EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLES THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. BMW SHOULD HAVE TO EXPAND THIS RECALL LIST TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AND IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE EVENTS WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY WITH TOYOTA. *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2010
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON NOTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALLS ON THE 2006 3 SERIES BUT WHEN I CALL TO VERIFY, THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT IS THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND HAS THE SAME SYMPTONS NOTED IN THE RECALL.*CW
Air bags, Jan 20, 2010
WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SERVICE INDICATOR, NO SEATBELT INDICATOR, AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED" INDICATOR ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. WHEN TAKING MY VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT (HAVE DOCUMENTATION), WHICH IS MEANT TO DETECT WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD IN MY VEHICLES CURRENT STATE, IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PERFORMING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT BMW HAS RELEASED AN OFFICIAL RECALL (#08V384000) WHICH DESCRIBES THESE SAME SYMPTOMS, CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. IN THE RECALL DETAILS, THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND SEAT TYPE ALL MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER DISCOVERING THE RECALL INFORMATION, I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE BY TELEPHONE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THE REPAIR MUST BE DONE AT AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS VIOLATES AIR BAG REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE NHTSA. SINCE THIS IS A DEFECT, THE COST SHOULD BE COVERED 100% BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW. *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ILLUMINATED TO INCLUDE A WARNING STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,325.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2009
MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 325 I BMW. AIR BAG LIGHT IN PASSENGER SEAT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. EVEN IF THERE IS AN ADULT SEATING ON THE SEAT. NOW BOTH THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE ON AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON SOME 2006 3 SERIES BMW FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 23, 2009
AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT RELEASE WERE SUDDENLY DISABLED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE REAR LOWER BELT RELEASE MODULE (PART # 72116975363) HAD BEEN MADE NON-OPERATIONAL DUE TO A LIQUID SPILL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEAT BELT SYSTEM TO FAIL. THIS ALSO SHORT CIRCUITED THE CABLE (PART #61129130173) BMW STATES THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO " OUTSIDE INFLUENCES". SPILLS INSIDE THE CAR SHOULD NOT DISABLE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR
Air bags, Aug 11, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. ON JULY 24, 2009, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL); THEREFORE, SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 3, 2008, fire
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 2008, AT 5 P.M., IN HOUSTON,WHEN MY 2006 BMW 325I BEGAN SMOKING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND BURST INTO FLAMES BY THE TIME I GOT IT PARKED. I FIRST NOTICED THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THEN SMOKE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN FILLING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE TIME THE HFD ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD NO RECENT SERVICE OR PROBLEMS. IT HAD NO PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AC JUST BEGAN BLOWING WARM AIR, AND SMOKE STARTED POURING INTO THE COMPARTMENT FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE DASHBOARD - NOT FROM THE AC. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL IT BURST INTO FLAMES. IT HAD TO BE A MECHANICAL DEFECT OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND. *TR
Air bags, Equipment, Oct 15, 2008
I HAVE A 2006 3 SERIES WITH A MALFUNCTIONING AIR BAG INDICATOR SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE SERIES WAS RECALLED UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA TWICE AND THEY WILL NOT CONFIRM THAT I AM IN THE RECALL BUT EACH TIME ASK ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE ISSUE REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE "AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVE" IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS ALWAYS ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. BMW NA ALSO CLAIMS NOT TO HAVE A VIN NUMBER LIST THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR POSSESSION, ALTHOUGH THEY DO SAY RECALL NOTICES ARE BEING SENT OUT. THIS SEEMS RATHER ODD IF THEY ARE SENDING OUT RECALLS FOR VIN NUMBERS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ARE BEING RECALLED. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE PASSENGERS AND CANNOT SEEM TO GET BMW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NHTSA RECALL OR THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 4, 2008, crash
MY 2006 3 SERIES BMW WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT A SPEED OF 30-35 PLUS WITH A FULL IMPACT. I HAVE SEVERE INJURIES IN THE SHOULDER AND NECK AREA AND HAVE BEEN HAVING BAD MIGRANE HEADACHES AND ALSO INSOMNIA. *TR
Air bags, Aug 13, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW SI (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. AN OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,700.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO DISPLAY "AIR BAG OFF" WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BMW MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REFRAIN FROM ALLOWING OCCUPANTS TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2008
I WAS TOLD BY BMW THAT EVEN THOUGHT MY PASSENGER AIRGBAG HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS, I NEED TO WAIT TILL SEPTEMBER TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
Air bags, Jun 14, 2008
BMW 330I 2006, PASSENGER AIRBAG INJURED 18YR OLD ON FACE - BURNED, LACERATED FACE AND FX NOSE. LEFT EYE, AFFECTED WITH EXTREME SWELLING. VICTIM TRAUMATIZED AND HAVING BLURRED VISION ON LEFT EYE. A TIRE STRUCK BUMPER WHILE DRIVING IN FWY AND DRIVER HIT THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS CAME OUT. THE GIRL WAS LEFT AS IF A MAJOR CAR CRASH HAD OCCURRED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 11, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, HITTING A DEER WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO CONTACT'S NECK. AFTER DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE SEATBELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 12, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PURCHASE, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED. THEN, WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE GRILL AREA, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM