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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,243

Of the 2006 reports, 29 involved a crash and 40 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.

Primary concernAir bags667 reports · 54% of complaints
Owner complaints1,243Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags667
  2. Electrical system188
  3. Steering107
  4. Seat belts104
  5. Latches/locks/linkages93
  6. Engine91
  7. Seats78
  8. Engine and engine cooling54

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  1. Electrical system, May 11, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 76 MPH. AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

  2. Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 11, 2012

    ON MAY 2ND, DURING A RAIN STORM, OUR 2006 BMW 3 SERIES' WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME SAFELY AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED OUR SERVICE CENTER, AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE SERVICE CENTER'S OWNER/MECHANIC INFORMED US, THAT THERE WERE 3 OTHER 06 3 SERIES IN FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE INVOICE READS; WORK REQUESTED- DIAG WIPERS INOP, WORK PERFORMED- REPLACE JBE CONT MODULE(PART# 63 21 5 897 528). A CALL WAS MADE TO BMW, USA ON MAY 11TH AND BMW DOES NOT HAVE, TO DATE, AN OPEN RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DISCONCERTING, SINCE A SMALL SERVICE CENTER IN THE SMALL TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER, MA. HAD 4(INCLUDING OURS) 06 BMW 3 SERIES IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND ON THE SAME DATE. *TR

  3. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 8, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR USING THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR WITH THE HANDLE AND WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON ALL OTHER DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS ON ALL DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,700. UPDATED 05/31/12 *BF THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ACTUATORS. A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE FAILED AND THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT WORK. THE KEY ONLY WORKED IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR.

  4. Steering, Electrical system, May 7, 2012

    I HAVE AN AMBER COLORED STEERING WHEEL LOCK ICON ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THIS WILL LOCK UP THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOLD THEM IF THAT'S THE CASE THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE. HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE FILES A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BMW NA. *TR

  5. Electrical system, Structure, Apr 30, 2012

    NUMBER OF DEATHS? NONE YET, BUT TBD FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION. 2006 BMW 325I DOORS LOCKS FAIL TO OPEN, AND ALL INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES ARE INOPERATIVE. ALL DOORS ARE INOPERATIVE IF ONE FUSE (#57) FAILS OR IF THE BATTERY FAILS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY. IF THERE IS A CRASH OR FIRE, PEOPLE CAN DIE INSIDE THE VEHICLE IF THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED. WHEN THIS FUSE FAILS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES DON'T FUNCTION. THE ONLY WAY TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE VEHICLE IS TO REMOVE THE HIDDEN KEY FROM THE FOB, OPEN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THAT WILL ALLOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO OPEN BUT NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS WILL OPEN. IS THIS ALLOWABLE UNDER NHTSA SAFETY REGULATIONS? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT IS. THIS IS NOT AN OBSCURE OCCURRENCE EITHER. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR A FEW TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON BMW OWNER'S FORUMS AND ON NHTSA COMPLAINT FORMS. LINKS BELOW: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/BMW/3_SERIES/LATCHES_LOCKS_LINKAGES/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-342620.HTML *JS

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 25, 2012

    WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT BOTH QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. CAUSING ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. COULD OF CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO SHOULDER. NOTE: CAR HAS NO OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE. *TR

  7. Electrical system, Structure, Apr 21, 2012

    REMOTE DOOR LOCK NOR UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE VEHICLE WOULD UNLOCK PASSENGER DOORS. PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE PULLING/USING THE DOOR HANDLE. *JS

  8. Steering, Electrical system, Mar 28, 2012

    WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF STEERING IN LOCK POSITION. AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT ERROR (RED ICON) IN PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

  9. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 16, 2012

    VEHICLE LOCKS DO NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCK OR LOCK COMMAND FROM KEY FOB OR FROM CAR UNLOCK/LOCK SWITCH. HAZARDOUS PROBLEM, POTENTIAL LIFE RISK FOR CHILDREN. *TR

  10. Electrical system, Feb 29, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED AND ONLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,220 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,225. THE DEALER INSTALLED TWO NEW LATCHES AND A HIGHER AMP FUSE. TO THE FRONT DOORS.

  11. Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Feb 22, 2012

    THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MODULE IS FAULTY IN OUR CAR. IT WAS OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED BY A BMW DEALER ON 20 FEB 2012. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT OUR CAR'S PRODUCTION TIME FALLS 1 MONTH OUT OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL ON THESE SAME PARTS (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA080001). BMW IS REFUSING TO FIX IT. *TR

  12. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 13, 2012

    DOOR ACTUATOR HAS FAILED TO WORK. ALARM ALSO BEING EFFECTED. KNOWN PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER, BMW. SAFTEY CONCERN IF UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY . *TR

  13. Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 23, 2012

    PASSENGER AIRBAG / SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT. THERE WERE MULTIPLE NHTSA RECALLS (PE07-045) AND (EA08-001) BUT MY VIN FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL BECAUSE APPARENTLY I HAVE SPORT SEATS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS SITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. BMWNA STATED THEY WON'T OFFER TO FIX THE ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DEALERS CHARGE $1000+ TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

  14. Steering, Electrical system, Jan 5, 2012

    STEERING LOCK LAMP IS AMBER AND NOW RED. SAYS CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM COULD ENGAGE. COULD POSSIBLY LOCK WHILE DRIVING. *TR

  15. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 19, 2011

    ALL DOORS CAN NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK,EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR CAN UNLOCK MANUALLY ONLY. *KB

  16. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 14, 2011

    MY PASSENGERS AND I WERE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO MY PARKED CAR, BUT WHEN I USED MY KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS ONLY THE PASSENGER DOORS UNLOCKED WHILE THE DRIVER'S DOOR DIDN'T. I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR BY USING THE LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON LOCATED IN THE CAR. THIS DID NOT WORK, AND IT LOCKED THE PASSENGER DOORS AGAIN. I THEN TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SIMULTANEOUSLY BY TRYING THE KEY FOB AND THE MANUAL LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE OF THE CAR A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT NONE OF THE DOORS UNLOCKED THIS TIME. WE ALL HEARD THE CAR ATTEMPTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, BUT THE LOCKS WERE NOT MOVING. I WASN'T ABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB OR WITH THE DOOR LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR, (THE PASSENGERS WERE ALREADY IN THE CAR) SO I USED THE EMERGENCY CUT-OUT KEY LOCATED INSIDE OF THE KEY FOB TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO GET IN. WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS ON THE SAME NIGHT, I FOUND OUT THAT THE GAS CAP WAS ALSO LOCKED, SO WE LEFT. WHEN WE ARRIVED BACK AT MY RESIDENCE, EVERYONE CLIMBED OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. FINALLY, THIS MORNING AFTER I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY KEY, I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT MEMORY WAS ALSO UNRESPONSIVE. WITH LESS THAN 1/8 OF A TANK LEFT, I WILL HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WILL NOT MAKE IT ON THE GAS LEFT IN THE TANK. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE IF WE WERE TO HAVE GOTTEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR WERE IN SOME UNFORESEEN TROUBLE WHILE IN THE CAR WITH ONLY SECONDS TO REACT AND GET OUT OF THE CAR, IT WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY ENDED UP IN MULTIPLE FATALITIES BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN A HASTY MANNER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOES HAPPEN DURING AND/ OR AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAPPED IN A CAR DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL/ LOCK MALFUNCTION. THANK YOU. *KB

  17. Electrical system, Sep 13, 2011, 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. *TR

  18. Air bags, Seat belts, Electrical system, May 25, 2011

    1. SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY! THE SPEEDO ON MY 2006 325I WAS OFF BY 10%. AT 80MPH ON THE SPEEDO, ACTUAL SPEED WAS 72. AT 30 ACTUAL WAS 27. I HAVE BEEN PULLED BY A COP TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. 2. PASSENGER RESTRAIN ERROR MESSAGE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. *TR

  19. Electrical system, Apr 24, 2011

    I DRIVE A 2006 BMW 325I. PARKED MY CAR AND GOT OUT JUST FINE HOWEVER MY 3 PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THERE DOORS. THE CENTRAL UNLOCKING BUTTON ON THE CAR'S DASH WOULDN'T UNLOCK THE DOORS AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY BUTTON WOULDN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR EITHER. ALL THE PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOWS. AFTER DOING SOME QUICK RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 3 SERIES HOWEVER IT'S A PROBLEM THAT BMW REFUSES TO FIX UNLESS THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HAVING PASSENGERS BECOME UNEXPECTEDLY TRAPPED INSIDE THEIR CAR DUE TO A COMMON DEFECT IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IT'S A PROBLEM BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

  20. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 16, 2011

    CENTRAL DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED PREVENTING ANY OF THE 4 DOORS AND FUEL DOOR FROM OPENING. PASSENGERS COULDN'T OPEN THEIR DOORS AND HAD TO CRAWL UP FRONT TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR. THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY FOR THEM TO EXIT THE CAR, THE DOORS WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. REPLACED 15A FUSE WITH 20A FUSE AS RECOMMENDED BY BMW DEALER WHICH WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. PROBLEM RESURFACED SO I INSPECTED THE FUSE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TO DISCOVER IT WAS BLOWN AGAIN. NOW ALL POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK EXCEPT FRONT PASSENGER. THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED SOON. WHEN THERE IS A DOOR UNLOCKING FAILURE, WHICH ACCORDING TO MANY PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE CARS, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT - ESPECIALLY IF THEY NEEDED TO EXIT QUICKLY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

  21. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2011

    DOORS LOCK, BUT ONLY DRIVER DOOR UNLOCKS. USED KEY ONLY UNLOCKED DRIVERS DOOR, USED BUTTON ON DASH ONLY UNLOCKED DRIVERS DOOR, FOB ONLY UNLOCKED DRIVERS DOOR. OTHER THREE DOORS NOT UNLOCKING.

  22. Electrical system, Feb 17, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT BATTERY SYSTEM CORE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME OUT TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

  23. Electrical system, Aug 6, 2010

    BMW DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WHEN LOCKED IF ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, BMW HAS AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE THAT SEPARATES THE BATTERY FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ONCE POWER IS LOST, THE DOOR HANDLES WILL NOT OPERATE TO OPEN LOCKED DOORS AND THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN A FUSE, #52 ON A 2006 325I, BLEW AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. LUCKILY ONE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED IN THE BACK AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT TO GET OUT. ADVISE FROM DEALERSHIP WAS TO CARRY A DEVICE IN THE CAR THE BREAK OUT THE WINDOW IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

  24. Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2010, crash

    2006 BMW 330 XI WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH A LOUD NOISE, COULD NOT STEER THE CAR; CRASHED IN TREES. 24,323 MILES STILL UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY. *TR

  25. Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Electric, Jul 7, 2010, crash

    2006 BMW 330XI BRAKE FAILURE, ACCELERATION, NO STEERING. OCCURRED TWICE; BMW REPAIRED BY DEALER NEW BRAKES, COMPUTER; SECOND OCCURRENCE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL HIT TREES. *TR