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, Aug 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V564000 AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2016
INTTELECTUAL PROPERTY 200.448 FEDERAL AWARD AND SEARCH OF SEARCHING ART FOR SUCH DISCLOSURE
Air bags, Aug 10, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DISPLAY ON.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2016
PASSENGER SEAT MAT IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE FAILURES WHICH DISABLES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE EXACT ISSUE FOR MY YEAR, MODEL, AND OPTIONS AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN RECALLED, YET MY 2006 BMW 325I WITH SPORT SEATS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECAL LISTED BELOW. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 I BELIEVE THAT MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL NUMBER.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL"
Air bags, Seats, Aug 3, 2016, fire
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT A HOLE FROM BOTTOM UP, TOOK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS FROM THE AIRBAG SENSOR THAT CAUGHT IT FIRE, I WAS GETTING HAIR DONE AT6 PM IN EVENING, CAME OUT I HOUR LATER AND SMELT FIRE, LOOKED AND THERE WAS HOLE IN SEAT, TURNED ON AIR AND ROLLED DOWN WINDOWS, WAIVED A MAGAZINE OVER IT AND MADE SURE IT WAS OUT. DROVE HOME ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TRIED TO CALL BMW THEY WERE CLOSED, WENT TO MY MECHANIC NEXT MORNING HE TOLD ME IT WAS FAULTY TO CALL BMW, I CALLED BMW PLAZA AND THEY TOLD ME TOUGH THEY WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. I HATED THE HOLE SO WENT TO AUTOZONE TO GET SOMETHING TO REPAIR IT WHICH MADE IT LOOK WORSE...BEEN LOOKING ON LINE FOR SEATS VERY EXPENSIVE. MY BOSS TOLD ME AS WELL THAT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL WHICH I MESSAGED FROM MISSOURI AND US ATTORNEY GENERAL. THIS COULD OF BEEN WORSE, IF I WOULD OF BEEN LONGER ARRIVING TO MY CAR IT COULD OF CAUGHT FIRE POSSIBLY OR EVEN WORSE MY DAUGHTER COULD OF BEEN THERE AND BURNT. IF THIS WOULD OF BEEN WINTER WITH THE HEATED SEAT ON SHE COULD OF BEEN SEVERELY BURNT, MAYBE DEAD. THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED.
Air bags, Aug 2, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V318. VEHICLE BMW 330CI 2006 DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG. ON JUNE 17, 2015 I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP, JACKIE COOPER BMW IN EDMOND, OK, PHONE NUMBER (405) 755-3600 AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PURSUANT TO BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V-428. HOWEVER, AT THAT TIME THEY SAID "WE DON'T HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. AS OF AUGUST 2, 2016, THIS DEALERSHIP (A BMW DEALERSHIP) IS STILL TELLING ME "WE DON'T HAVE THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG AND DON'T KNOW WHEN WE CAN GET IT. SORRY." THEY ARE OFFERING NO FURTHER EXPLANATION OR REFERRAL TO ANOTHER SOURCE TO GET THIS AIR BAG REPLACED. I HAVE UPLOADED A COPY OF MY REGISTRATION.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *CN
Air bags, Jul 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD BE SENDING INTERIM NOTIFICATIONS NEXT MONTH REGARDING THE PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/17
Air bags, Jul 13, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MY PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. MY CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 8, 2016
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THERE'S A RECALL FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR BUT FOR SOME REASON "MY VIN" DOESN'T FALL INTO THE RECALL.
Air bags, Jul 6, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG RECALL IN JULY 2015, HAVE CONTINUED TO CALL OVER THE PAST YEAR AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL. DEALERSHIP IS THOMPSON BMW DOYLESTOWN PA.
Air bags, Jul 4, 2016
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Jul 1, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 09/14/16 *BF *JS
Air bags, Jun 30, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 23, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF UPDATED 08/30/16.*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 18, 2016
FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ALWAYS BREAKS
Air bags, Jun 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,235.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 9, 2016
RECENTLY THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SENSOR INDICATED A FAILURE. I CAN ATTRIBUTE SUCH FAILURE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR (PLACED IN THE SEAT MAT). WHEN I CONTACTED BMW USA, THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL (CAMPAIGN [XXX]). I WOULD APPRECIATE THE NHTSA / DOT TO INVESTIGATE EXPANDING THE RECALL TO ALL E90 / 2006 BMW 330XI NOT JUST MODELS PRODUCED AFTER 12/ 2005. I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY VEHICLE IN 11/2005. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jun 2, 2016
RECALL 08V384000: SEAT OCCUPANT SENSON DEFECT. I TOOK MY CAR THREE TIMES ALREADY TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS STILL NO PARTS , THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY WILL EXPIRE IN 2 DAYS AND I'M WORRY THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED , THE RECALL WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO , AND STILL NO PARTS ...
Air bags, Seats, Jun 2, 2016
AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY ENTRY TO THE LONG LIST OF BMW 325 OWNERS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT DEFECT RECALL (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000), BUT APPARENTLY ARE NOT. ACCORDING TO BMW, MY CAR WAS MADE A MONTH BEFORE I.E. NOV 2005, THE RECALL DATE PARAMETERS, WHICH STARED IN DEC 2005. THIS INVOLVES A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MALFUNCTION THAT DISABLES THE AIRBAGS IN 2006 E90 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN. BMW RECALLED PREVIOUS YEARS SENSORS BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE IN LATER MODELS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOLKS AFFECTED BY THIS: SEE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/BMW/325/2006/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SEATS.SHTML NTSB, PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ASAP! AND THANKS!
Air bags, Seat belts, May 27, 2016
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE/TENSIONER FAILED AND WOULD NOT HOLD ONTO SEATBELT. THIS CAUSED THE SEATBELT ALARM TO SOUND AS WELL AS DEACTIVATE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG
Air bags, May 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Air bags, May 17, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 10, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.