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: electrical system
188 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 3, 2013
THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE USING THE CENTRAL DOOR UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON, KEY OR MANUAL DOOR HANDLE. HAD THIS BEEN AN EMERGENCY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESCAPE QUICKLY. HAD TO OPEN WINDOW, REACH OUTSIDE AND USE THE MANUAL KEY TO OPEN DOOR LOCK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2013
5/23/12 - VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, NEEDED TO BE JUMPED. TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. DEALER CHARGED BATTERY - NO FAULT CODES FOUND, ALL FUSES OK, CHECKED FOR POWER AND GROUND - ALL OK. DASH CLUSTER NOW OPERABLE. 6/6/13 - DIFFICULTY STARTING CAR - MILEAGE 10151. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INOPERABLE, FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE, TRIP GAUGE REVERTED TO ALMOST ZERO. DEALER DIAGNOSED, REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, REPLACED BATTERY, FULL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED - OIL CHANGE, BRAKE FLUID, FILTERS. CAR NOW PERFORMS WELL - DEALER DID EXCELLENT TURN AROUND. MILEAGE RESET AT LESS THAT 10151. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 13, 2013
MY CAR WAS HAVING AN OIL LEAK WHEN I SENT MY CAR TO GET CHECK THEY FOUND OUT THE BOLTS ARE BROKEN WHICH I DID MY RESEARCH AND I FOUND OUT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT, BECAUSE THIS BOLTS ARE PLACE NO TO BE TAKEN OFF. THIS LEAKAGE HAS MY CAR GOING CRAZZZY WHEN I WASH MY CAR AND I TURN MY FOG LIGHTS ON ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH GO ON MY ENGINE GOES OFF AND SMELLS LIKE IS ABOUT TO BURN THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 10, 2013
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 330XI SPORT AND WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CAR, I RECEIVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT. I WAS TOLD BY PARK AVE BMW IN NJ THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE RECALL. RECALL ID # 57362 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL RECALL DATE AUG 05, 2008 RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2008 MODEL AFFECTED: 2006 BMW 3-SERIES SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCES: 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. REMEDY: 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. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 200000 NOTES: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jun 4, 2013
MY VEHICLE HAS AN AIRBAG/SEATBELT LIGHT ELIMINATED ON THE DASH. BMW HAS DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. 2006 330I SPORTS SEATS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ITEM IN 2008. MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS SPORTS SEATS WAS NEVER CALLED FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS ON ALL 3 SERIES MODELS WITH OUT THE SPORTS SEAT OPTION FOR THIS SENSOR, BUT FOR SOME REASON THEY WILL NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE AS WARRANTY OR RECALL WORK. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS AND BMW DIRECTLY. THEY SAID MY ONLY OPTION WOULD BE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO WARRANT A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND COMBINATION OF OPTIONS. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE! THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AS OF RIGHT NOW THE VEHICLES AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT FUNCTION IF IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, May 17, 2013, fire
CAR LOST POWER ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH IN TRAFFIC. UPON LOOKING INTO THE REARVIEW MIRROR, SMOKE WAS APPEARING FROM THE TRUNK. WE OPENED THE TRUNK AND SAW PART OF THE CARPET, WHICH COVERED THE CAR BATTERY, WAS BURNED. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE SOMEHOW SHORTED AND CAUSED A SMALL FIRE, CAUSING THE CARPET AND ACTUAL BATTERY TO BURN. AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARED, THE BATTERY CABLE HAD A SMALL SLIT IN IT AND THE COPPER CABLING HAD TURNED TO AN OXIDIZED WHITE COLOR. LUCKILY NOONE WAS HURT, BUT WE SPENT OUR OWN MONEY TO HAVE IT TOWED AND REPAIRED. WE COMPLAINED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA BUT THEY SIMPLY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. WE HAD TO BUY OUR OWN EXPENSIVE CABLE FROM A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. IT TURNS OUT BMW JUST RECENTLY STARTED A POSITIVE BATTERY RECALL PROGRAM ON VARIOUS CARS, BUT THE 2006 325I IS NOT IN THAT LIST. THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO US LAST YEAR IS SIMILAR, IF NOT WORSE, THAN WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THEIR DETAILS OF THE CURRENT BATTERY CABLE RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, May 15, 2013
IBS SENSOR WITH NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE FAILED AND CAR WOULD NOT START. THE IBS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR UPDATED 07/09/13*LJ UPDATED 07/11/2013 *JS
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT HIS RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ELECTRICAL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND OFTEN TIMES THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE A JUMP START FOR TIMES WHEN IT WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CHARGED THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY NIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO STALL WHEN THE BATTERY WAS NOT CHARGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Visibility/wiper, Mar 23, 2013
YESTERDAY, THE DOORS ON MY 2006 325I WOULDN'T UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB. I USED THE ACTUAL KEY TO ENTER THE CAR AND THE CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING BUTTON DOES NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE DOOR TO THE GAS TANK IS ALSO LOCKED. THERE IS NO WAY TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE PASSENGER DOORS WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. IN READING THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW, UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NOT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jan 22, 2013
I HAVE A FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE, AS DIAGNOSED BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE CODE IS 93C3, AND THE ISSUE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECOGNIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND PARTIALLY REMEDIED WITH EITHER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL, ALLOWABLE ON ONLY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBERS. THE RECALL / EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIES TO PARTICULAR 2006 3 SERIES BMW VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO JANUARY 2006. THE 93C3 SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY FAILURE IN MY VEHICLE CAUSES THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. BMW USA HAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT IMPACT MY VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE SEATS, AND MANUFACTURE DATE ARE WITHIN THE RECALL PARAMETERS. THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT SHOPS HAVE ALL ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD, BY ALL QUALIFYING MEANS BEYOND VIN NUMBER IDENTIFICATION, BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY, AS THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS VEHICLES IMPACTED BY THE REFERENCED RECALL. REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 THE BMW 325I VEHICLE I OWN WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST OF 2005, EQUIPPED WITH STANDARD SEAT. BMW USA HAS STATED WITHIN THE RECALL THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MANY VEHICLES ARE IMPACTED BY THIS ISSUE AND HAS ONLY ELECTED TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ON A PREDETERMINED SET OF VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER, BMW HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED THAT ALL REPAIRS ARE TO BE CUSTOMER PAID, AND HAVE REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR RECALL. AS OF 1/22/2013, THE VEHICLE REMAINS UNREPAIRED AND A SAFETY HAZARD. MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AS DOCUMENTED BY NHTSA COMPLAINTS. BMW STATED CONSEQUENCE OF NON REPAIR: 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. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 31, 2012
PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT RESPOND TO FOB OR CENTRAL LOCK/UNLOCK CONTROLLER. THE DOOR WILL UNLOCK AND OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, BUT WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY, FOB, OR CENTRAL LOCKING CONSOLE BUTTON. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2010, AND AGAIN AT THE END OF 2011. THIS IS AND CONTINUES TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE DOOR(S) LOCK AND ARE UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED, IT WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 1, 2012
I HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE THIS MORNING. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START WHEN I PUSHED THE START BUTTON. INSTEAD IT HAD AN ICON ON THE DASH OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A LOCK SIGN ON IT. I PULLED THE FOB OUT AND PUT IT BACK IN A FEW TIMES, TRYING TO START THE CAR EVERY TIME, BUT NO LIFE. THIS IS A VERY WEIRD PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WOULDN'T RELEASE. I TRIED TO GET IT STARTED FOR OVER 30 MINUTES, STILL UNSUCCESSFUL. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 06 AND EARLY 07 MODELS OF THE 3 SERIES. IN MID-07, BMW STOPPED PUTTING LOCKS IN THE STEERING COLUMNS. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONIC LOCK POWER DRAW WHEN STARTING THE CAR, AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE NORMALLY FIXES THE PROBLEM. IF THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DOES NOT WORK, BMW REPLACES THE STEERING COLUMN IF YOU ARE UNDER THE WARRANTY. ALL MY UPDATES ARE DONE BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO MY BMW DEALER ON 11/14/12 AND THEY RECHECKED EVERYTHING. SINCE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AS STATED IN HERE; HTTP://WWW.IMPORT-CAR.COM/ISSUE/ARTICLE.ASPX?CONTENTID=89276, BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INFORMATIONAL SYSTEM FAILED TO NOTIFY THAT THE BATTERY WAS LOW AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION. THE ABS AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER INFORMATIONAL SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,162.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Oct 15, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 30, 2012
I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM MARCHING BAND PRACTICE ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT HER HIGH SCHOOL AND GOT OUT, I WENT TO LOCK THE DOORS. I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS DOORS WERE LOCKED, THE PASSENGERS DOORS WERE UNLOCKED. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT WORK ANYMORE ON ANY OF THE DOORS BUT WOULD WORK ON THE TRUNK. I GOT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND CRAWLED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND TRIED THE DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CENTRAL LOCK BUTTON ALSO WOULD NOT WORK. I CRAWLED OUT AND TRIED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY. IT DID UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS WOULD RESPOND FROM THE INSIDE. AFTER I GOT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY, MY KEY FOB WOULD WORK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ONLY. BECAUSE MY KIDS DECIDED TO "HELP MOM" BY PUSHING THE LOCKS DOWN MANUALLY - NOW ALL OF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND WON'T BUDGE EXCEPT THE DRIVERS SIDE. I EFFECTIVELY CAN'T USE THE CAR FOR ANYONE EXCEPT MYSELF BECAUSE NO ONE CAN ENTER - AND MORE IMPORTANTLY EXIT FROM THE CAR EXCEPT FOR CRAWLING OVER SEATS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE SHOULD BE SOMEONE WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS MANUALLY. JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS - BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT CHOOSES NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2012
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS YELLOW, THEN WENT RED AND WOULD NOT START. MY MECHANIC GOT HIT TO GO BACK TO YELLOW, TOOK IT TO BMW AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK THE CAR HOME AND TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE COLUMN, BUT IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. EVERYONE TELLS ME THE CASE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 28, 2012
TRIED TO START CAR, PUT KEY IN, PRESSED START BUTTON AND AN AMBER PADLOCK ICON APPEARED OVER A STEERING WHEEL ICON - CAR WON'T START. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 27, 2012
REQUESTING RESEARCH FOR RECALL INTO KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW SERVICE BULLETIN ON DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS: I WAS PARKED, AND USED MY KEY REMOTE TO OPEN THE DOORS AS I ALWAYS DO, BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE ONLY ONE THAT STAYS UNLOCKED (THE LOCK DOES NOT GO DOWN WHEN I CLICK THE ALARM) IS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK. I, THEREFORE, HAVE TO USE THE HARD PLASTIC EMERGENCY KEY (FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT) TO MANUALLY UNLOCK MY DRIVER DOOR EACH TIME. I FIND THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I SOMETIMES WORK UNTIL LATE AT NIGHT AND HAVE TO FUMBLE TO GET THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS, AND THERE WAS NOT, BUT WHAT I DID FIND, WERE QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON A VARIETY OF BMW MODELS, OLDER AND NEWER. SOME BMW OWNERS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE STUCK IN THEIR CARS, BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE, SO PASSENGERS (SUCH AS MY MOTHER HAD TO DO SEVERAL TIMES) HAVE TO CLIMB AROUND IN THE CAR TO CLIMB OUT OF THE ONLY DOOR THAT OPENS. I ALSO DISCOVERED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOTICE ON THIS ISSUE. THE OWNERS WHOSE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT ARE STILL HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED. MANY ARE ATTEMPTING TO LEARN FROM DO-IT-YOURSELF WEBSITES TO AVOID THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE CAN YOU RESEARCH AND MAKE THIS A RECALL, IT IS HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO HAVE PASSENGERS CLIMBING IN BY ADJUSTING SEATS AND CLIMBING OUT BECAUSE OF THIS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR KNOWN ISSUE, THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR YEARS IN BMW CARS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 22, 2012
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. NO WAY TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR EVEN WITH INTERNAL HANDLE. PASSENGER TRAPPED AND HAD TO CRAWL OVER TO DRIVER'S SEAT. WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 12, 2012
THE VEHICLES ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM HAS FAILED AND VEHICLE WILL NOT UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NOR START THE VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM IN PLACE. HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH MY SAME PARTICULAR MY (2006) CAN EASILY BE FOUND BY A SIMPLE SEARCH ON ANY GIVEN BMW BLOG/FORUM. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT HAD LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING?? NOT SAFE AT ALL AND WILL CERTAINLY TRY EVERYTHING I CAN TO RECOUP THE $1000+ I WILL BE SPENDING FROM BMW FOR THE LABOR/REPAIR THAT IT WILL COST TO HAVE THIS RIDICULOUS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 1, 2012
DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED AND DRIVER BECAME LOCKED IN CAR. DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED INSIDE THE CAR WITH KEYS, INTERNAL BUTTONS, OR DOOR HANDLES. *TR
Electrical system, May 20, 2012
DOOR LOCKS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, EITHER WHEN ACTIVATED VIA THE KEY FOB OR THE INTERNAL DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON. DOORS ARE UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE. PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENS. *TR