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: engine
144 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Mar 16, 2014
TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. *TR
Engine, Feb 22, 2014
WHEN STARTING FROM IDLE TO RUNNING STATE AT A STOP LIGHT THE WHOLE CAR STARTED SHAKING. TOOK THE SHOP AND THEY SAY IT A FAULTY COIL/SPARK PLUG. COSTS ME $600-$1000. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN BMW 325I 2006. THEY SHOULD FIX THIS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 22, 2014
WHITE SMOKE COMING THOUGH AC DUCTS. WHEN TAKEN TO SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS COOLANT LEAK IN HEATER CORE. REPLACEMENT WOULD COST ME $3000-$4000. *TR
Engine, Dec 9, 2013
MY 2006 BMW 330I BEGAN LEAKING OIL. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE BROKEN BOLTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY CARED FOR. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. AFTER ONLINE REVIEW, THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL BMWS. THE OIL LEAKS ONTO BRAKES, BELTS, EXHAUST, ETC.... CAUSING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THIS NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL. *TR
Engine, Nov 27, 2013
I AM WRITING THIS DEPARTMENT IN HOPES TO RESOLVE ONGOING MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ON THE BMW 2006 325I'S. THE 325I MOTOR IS WELL KNOWN FOR ALUMINUM BOLTS SNAPPING ON THE MOTOR RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAKS AND OIL PRESSURE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND BOLTS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR PREMATURELY FAILING AND THE HEAD OF BOLTS SNAPPING OFF UNDER PRESSURES. THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND OIL PAN IS ALSO KNOWN TO PREMATURELY FAIL DUE TO POOR ENGINEERS AND THE UTILIZATION OF ALUMINUM BOLTS. BMW FIXED THE ISSUE IN 2007 AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE BOLTS WITH IRON BOLTS. THE IRONY IS THAT BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUES IN THE 2006 BMW 325I. CONSUMERS ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIR BILLS BECAUSE OF FAULTY ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SINCE DISCOVERING THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. BMWNA HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE ISSUES RELATED TO THESE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM BOLTS. THEY HAVE ALL OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THE BOLTS IN QUESTION WERE DEFECTIVE IN NATURE AND PRODUCTION, AND THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURES. SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS INCLUDED, AND RESULTED IN, VEHICLES LEAKING OIL IN THE ENGINE AREA CAUSING FIRES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS POSE A SERIOUS POTENTIAL RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO SHARE THE ROADWAY WITH THEM. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT THIS TYPE OF PUBLIC SAFETY RISK CANNOT GO ON ANY FURTHER WITHOUT PROPER INTERVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WE EMPLOY AS TAXPAYERS. *TR
Engine, Nov 27, 2013
THERE IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURER DEFECT CONCERNING THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE BMW 2006 325I'S. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SINCE DISCOVERING THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. BMWNA HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE ISSUES RELATED TO THESE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM BOLTS. THEY HAVE ALL OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THE BOLTS IN QUESTION WERE DEFECTIVE IN NATURE AND PRODUCTION, AND THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURES. SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS INCLUDED, AND RESULTED IN, VEHICLES LEAKING OIL IN THE ENGINE AREA CAUSING FIRES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS POSE A SERIOUS POTENTIAL RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO SHARE THE ROADWAY WITH THEM. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT THIS TYPE OF PUBLIC SAFETY RISK CANNOT GO ON ANY FURTHER WITHOUT PROPER INTERVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WE EMPLOY AS TAXPAYERS. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE BMW 2006 325I'S AFFECTED BY THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM NOT PRIVY TO WHAT CONSTITUTES A VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS TO REACH A "RECALL STATUS". I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA IS KEENLY AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM BOLTS, AND HAS ISSUED INTERNAL MEMOS TO THEIR STAFF CALLED "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS" (TSB) TO FOREWARN DEALERSHIPS OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AND THE STEPS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. I HAVE REQUESTED THIS INFORMATION FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, AS WELL AS SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS; AND I WAS REFUSED. I HAVE DILIGENTLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE SERVICE MANUALS, AS WELL AS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. MY CONTENTION IS EXTREMELY CLEAR; THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! FIX THEM ALL AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
Engine, Nov 22, 2013
BROKEN CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS AT THE FRONT TIMING COVER. SYMPTOM WAS OIL LEAK AT TIMING COVER. UPON INSPECTION, THE HEADS OF 4 BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF AND 3 BOLT HEADS HAD DROPPED THROUGH THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING AND ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN. *TR FIRST, HEAD BOLTS SHOULD NOT FAIL. SECOND, THE SHEARED BOLT HEADS PASS THROUGH THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUSE IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine, Nov 4, 2013
MY CAR STARTED HAVING A MASSIVE OIL LEAK AT AROUND 79,000 MILES. THE MOTOR SEALS STARTED TO FAIL ONCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT THE MOTOR SEALS ARE VERY COMMON TO PREMATURELY FAIL. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE MOTOR TOGETHER STARTED TO BREAK AT AROUND 80,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 15, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE, TRYING TO PASS A CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE. AFTER GETTING IN FRONT OF THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE SO I COULD RE-ENTER THE MIDDLE LANE, BUT THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE GROWLED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. IT KEPT DRIVING, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, DESPITE ME STEPPING HARDER ON THE GAS. THIS WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE WAS A CAR IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME, WHICH COULD HAVE REAR ENDED ME AT OVER 60MPH, AND THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE THAT I WAS TRYING TO PASS COULD HAVE ALSO HIT ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. IN RESEARCHING THIS, MANY BMW OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, AND YET BMW HAS NOT ISSUED AN INVESTIGATION OR RECALL: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML THERE ARE 650 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AT THE ABOVE LINK. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS UNDER 75K MILES. *TR
Engine, Jul 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *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
Service brakes, Engine, May 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, DSC AND AWD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Seats, Engine, May 2, 2013
1. SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSORS ARE BROKEN. THE INDICATOR SHOWS UP ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER HAVE THEIR SEAT BELTS FASTEN. 2. OIL LEAKS FROM PAN GASKET DUE TO THE ALUMINUM BOLTS AND ETC. *TR
Engine, Apr 30, 2013
I TOOK MY CAR TO RICHMOND BMW AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DISCOVERED I HAD BROKEN HEAD GASKET BOLTS ! I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON MANUFACTURES PROBLEM ! THESE MAKE AND MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2013
I HAVE A 2006 325I SEDAN WITH 55,856 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE ON 4-18-2013. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY ONLY BMW DEALERSHIPS IN ITS LIFETIME WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE ON SCHEDULE. THEY CALLED TO NOTIFY ME THAT UPON INSPECTION THEY HAD FOUND THE HEAD BOLT BROKEN BEHIND THE OIL FILTER HOUSING, THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET LEAKING AND THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER LEAKING. I HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCING ANY OUTWARD S+S OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY QUOTED ME $3400 TO REPAIR THIS. I WAS SHOCKED THAT A CAR IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION WOULD HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM AT THIS MILEAGE. I ASKED WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND ESSENTIALLY WAS TOLD IT IS UNUSUAL BUT DOES HAPPEN. THEY ADVISED A REPAIR IN THE FUTURE. I WENT HOME AND RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND IT HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AND THAT SUBSEQUENTLY BMW HAS CHANGED THE TYPE OF BOLT THEY USE. SO I THOUGHT I WOULD CALL THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO FOLLOW UP ON ANY ASSISTANCE FROM BMW. LONG STORY SHORT THEY TOOK THE COMPLAINT BUT BECAUSE I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY FOR 3+ YEARS THEY WOULD OFFER NO HELP. YOU KNOW SHAME ON BMW THIS IS MY 4TH BMW AND VERY LIKELY MY LAST DUE TO THIS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TOOK TO GET TO THE 50,000 MILE + RANGE WHERE THIS PROBLEM SHOWS ITSELF. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 16, 2013
CAR ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS FOR THE VALVE COVER AND THE HEAD BOLTS SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND CAR STARTS TO SHAKE, CHECK ENGINE SIGN LIGHTS, OIL SIGN LIGHTS, ONCE I GAVE IT GAS. OIL IS LEAKING FROM CAR. CAR IS TOWED AND MECHANIC SHOWS ME DAMAGE. BROKEN ALUMINUM BOLTS FELL INSIDE OF ENGINE. BOLT IS WEDGED BETWEEN TIMING CHAIN AND GEAR. THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. KNOWN DEFECT FOR 2006 MODELS, BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT COVER DAMAGE. HAVE CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA THREE TIMES NOW. BMW SWITCHED BOLT TYPE IN FOLLOWING YEARS. OTHERS REPORTING SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT IF I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STOPPED? CAR WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. BMW NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THEIR MISTAKE AND COVER THE DAMAGES. A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE BOLTS. JUST RIDICULOUS THAT A COMPANY KNOWN FOR QUALITY WILL DO THIS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HOPE THE DOT TAKES IT UPON THEMSELVES TO HOLD BMW ACCOUNTABLE. OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [XXX]. LOOKING FOR A POTENTIAL RESOLUTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Mar 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT MULTIPLE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET COVER BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,197.
Engine, Feb 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BOLT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Sep 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ALUMINUM BOLTS HOLDING THE ENGINE MELTED AND WERE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,300...UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF UPDATED 2/5/2013 *JS
Engine, Jul 12, 2012
INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NOTED ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS BROKEN WHICH COULD CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. BROKEN BOLTS CAUSED OIL LEAK AND HEADS OF BOLTS COULD HAVE GONE INTO THE TIMING BELT DESTROYING THE ENGINE. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DIRECTED US TO THE DEALERSHIP STATING THEY HAD NOTED THIS ISSUES ON ALMOST ALL OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL. REPAIR COST WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2012
ENGINE BOLTS HAVE SHEERED OFF AT THREE DIFFERENT MILEAGES: 71,369, 115,162 AND 134,835. ALL TIMES THEY HAVE CREATED OIL LEAKS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE OVERHEATING. ALSO THE SHEERED BOLTS COULD OF GOTTEN LODGED IN THE DRIVE BELT CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING (ALTHOUGH LUCKILY DID NOT HAPPEN). ALL SHEERED BOLTS COST UPWARDS OF $1000 PER REPAIR TO REPLACE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Apr 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF CLOTH DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DS OR MANUAL, ONLY DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2012
BROKEN HEAD BOLTS AND BLOWN HEAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2012
THE HEAD BOLTS ARE CRACKED/BROKEN AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. *TR