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
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2012
BOLTS FOR ENGINE BLOCK VALVE COVER BROKE OFF. OIL STARTED LEAKING AND EXHAUST SMOKING. NORMAL DRIVING, WITH NO AUTO MODIFICATIONS AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA, BUT RECEIVED NO ANSWER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATE WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,400. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2011
NOTICED ALUMINUM HEADBOLT HAD BROKEN OFF AND CAUSED AN OIL LEAK CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE HEAD ON THE OIL FILTER SIDE OF THE BLOCK, CAUSING A BURNING OIL SMELL AS OIL FOUND ITS WAY TO THE BURNING HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, THANKFULLY, IT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE BUT I FEEL THAT IT EASILY COULD WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SHOULD I OR SOMEONE ELSE PANICKED AS IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, BMW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE IN TSB'S AND ALREADY RECTIFIED THE ISSUE IN THE 2007 MODELS OF THE EXACT SAME CARS. IF BMW DOES NOT RECTIFY THIS ISSUE, MY 5TH BMW WILL BE MY LAST AND I WILL TAKE MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO AUDI, I FIND IT HEARTBREAKING THAT A COMPANY THAT USED TO HAVE SUCH A FOCUS ON QUALITY IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE SUCH FAILURE AND TO RIGHT THE SITUATION OVER A 3$ BOLT THAT HAS NOT ONLY THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM TO MANY BUT ALSO TO ALIENATE WHAT HAVE BEEN LONG TIME CUSTOMERS AND TRUE FANS OF THE BRAND. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 16, 2011
HEADS OF HEAD BOLTS BROKE OFF. NORMAL SLOW, SHORT COMMUTE DRIVING. EXHAUST SMOKING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 15, 2011
HEADS OF HEAD BOLTS BROKE OFF. OIL LEAKING & EXHAUST SMOKING. NORMAL DRIVING WITH NO AUTO MODIFICATIONS AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2011
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. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2011
ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, A 2006 BMW 325, E90 CHASSIS, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FOUND DUE TO A FAULTY BOLT IN THE ENGINE BAY WHEREBY MY ENGINE HAD ABOUT 52K MILES PUT ON IT. I SPOKE TO VARIOUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, AND THEY TOO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES AS WELL. IT'S APPARENT THAT BMW HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEGLECTED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2011
MY BMW 300 SERIES WAGON (2006) HAD A BRAKE AND EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT TURN ON. THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF BURNING OIL. MY MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS BROKEN ALUMINUM BOLTS ON THE CYLINDER. HE SAID HE PERSONALLY SEES THIS ALL THE TIME ON 2006 MODELS, THAT BMW IS AWARE, AND THAT THEY REDESIGNED THE PART FOR LATER YEARS. LIKEWISE, MY BMW DEALER IS AWARE OF IT AND A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH FINDS AT LEAST 1000 COMPLAINTS POSTED AT VARIOUS SITES ON THE WEB. ALUMINUM DOES NOT HOLD UP IN THIS SETTING AND THESE BOLTS COST MORE THAN$1200 TO REPAIR. I AM TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER 60K MILES WHICH MEANS MOST ARE OFF WARRANTY. BMW IS AWARE AND SHOULD EITHER DO A COURTESY REPAIR OR BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY NHTSA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2011
I OWN A 2006 BMW 325I. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING A CORNER AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. IT WAS TOWED TO UNITED BMW IN GWINNITT GA WHERE ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT A VALVE SPRING BROKE AND FELL INTO A PISTON CHAMBER. 96000 MILES ON THE CAR AND INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER. ALSO, ONLY 50000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALMOST 9 MONTHS NOW. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 16000 TO FIX AND THEY HAVE THEN SINCE TOWED THE CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE AND DECLARED IT ABANDONED. I TRIED TO CALL AND GET SOME INFORMATION ON THE MATTER BUT NOBODY WILL RETURN MY CALLS OR HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION. I STILL OWE 9000+ ON THE AUTO. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2011
THE CYLINDER BOLT BROKE AND BMW IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE BROKEN BOLT UNDER AN ACTIVE WARRANTY. BMW IS AWARE THAT THE CYLINDER BOLD ON THESE MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL AND IS NOW BEING MADE OUT OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL IN NEWER MODELS. I REQUESTED THAT BMW PAY FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE WE ARE AWARE OF IT BEING AND ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO UNDER AN ACTIVE EXTENDED COVERAGE WARRANTY. IT IS A PART THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL FOR MODELS USING THIS PARTICULAR ALUMINUM CYLINDER BOLT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED TO HAVE PAID $4,000+ FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DOES NOT COVER A $4,260.50 REPAIR. PETER PAN BMW HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL BUT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND ASSURANT WHO AUTHORIZES REPAIRS HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE AND DENIED REPAIR.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 12, 2011
BMW IS AWARE THAT THE CYLINDER BOLT ON THESE MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL AND ARE NOW BEING MADE OUT OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL IN NEWER MODELS. WE REQUESTED THAT BMW PAY FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF IT BEING AN ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO. IT IS DEFINITELY A PART THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL FOR ALL MODELS USING THIS MATERIAL IN THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLD. UPDATED 04/21/11 *BF
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 25, 2011
THIS VEHICLE HAS A MAGNESIUM ENGINE BLOCK, AND THEREFORE USES ALUMINUM BOLTS TO FASTEN THE HEAD AND THE VALVE COVER TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. WITH NORMAL DRIVING, MULTIPLE CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVE COVER BOLTS SPONTANEOUSLY SNAP OFF. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DISRUPT THE TIMING CHAIN AND LOSS OF COMPRESSION, LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE AND THE ALUMINUM BOLT THAT WAS HOLDING THE CYLINDER HEAD IN PLACE BROKE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CYLINDER HEAD TO CRACK THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CAUSED A MASSIVE OIL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE ALUMINUM BOLT. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 25,774. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE ALMOST $4,000 AND IT TOOK MORE THAN A WEEK TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/12/10 UPDATED 03/30/10 *BF UPDATED 07/26/10.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2009
VEHICLE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR COMES ON REPEATEDLY AND DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPAIR DEFECT AFTER 3 VISITS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2009
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE - NONE. FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE, EXPECTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN, EXTREMELY LIKELY TO RESULT IN FIRE. TWO ALUMINUM BOLTS SECURING THE VALVE COVER BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL DRIPPING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FILLING CAR WITH SMOKE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ALSO FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CAR IS RECEIVING A NEW VALVE COVER GASKET AND NEW ALUMINUM BOLTS. HAD THIS EVENT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY RESULTED IN A FIRE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2008
WE HAD BOUGHT A 2006 BMW MODEL # 325I, THE VEHICLE HAD 33,000 MILES ON IT. NOW THIS CAR HAS A HEAD CYLINDER LEAKAGE ON IT AND THE DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE AN ENGINE ON IT. THE FACT IS THAT THIS CAR WAS LESS THEN 2 YRS, AND WE HAD SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE ALREADY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2008
THE EMISSION SYSTEM WARRANTY SEEMS TO BE INCORRECT FOR MY 2006 BMW 325I. I THOUGHT THE SYSTEM MUST BE WARRANTED FOR AT LEAST 75,000 MILES. PLEASE CHECK THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL TO CONFIRM THEIR WORDING IS CORRECT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2006
PURCHASED NEW 2006 BMW 325XI ON 9/27/2006 AND AUTO HAD ENGINE FAILURE ON 10/2/2006. FOUND TO HAVE DEFECT IN THE SPARK PLUG WHICH BURNED OUT THE COIL AND DAMAGED THE VALVE. I AM SEEKING ADVICE ON REJECTING THE VEHICLE. IT IS AT THE DEALER. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER TRAVELING 20 MPH AND BECOMING IMMOBILED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPM SURGED. THIS OCCURRED AT EVERY TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED AS A NEW VEHICLE THE COMPUTER MODULE HAS TO LEARN THE DRIVERS HABITS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DIAGNOSIS UNACCEPTABLE.