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: latches/locks/linkages
93 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, May 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE VEHICLE DOORS, OTHER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE, BY USING THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE LOCK MECHANISMS WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SENSOR WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH AS A RESULT BOTH THE LOCK MECHANISM AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE FUEL DOOR, RENDERING HIM UNABLE TO FUEL THE CAR. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 30, 2012
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH CENTER CONSOLE DOOR LOCK, NOR THE KEY FOB. CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED VIA MANUAL KEY. *JS
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
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 27, 2011
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS WERE LOCKED AND NOT ABLE TO OPEN BOTH WITH MANUALLY AS WELL AS REMOTELY. JUST ONE DRIVER'S PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPENED TO GET OUT. ACCESS TO JUST ONE DOOR. MY WIFE WHO IS PREGNANT HAD A HORRIBLE TIME IN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND SHE HAD TO GO TO EMERGENCY AS SHE HAD DIFFICULTY IN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TT
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 19, 2011
ALL DOORS CAN NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK,EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR CAN UNLOCK MANUALLY ONLY. *KB
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 2, 2011
THERE IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW MODEL YEARS 2006 AND 2007 3 SERIES MODELS. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND/OR THE FUSES FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. WHEN THEY FAIL YOU ARE ONLY ABLE TO ESCAPE THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS ON THE CAR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND THE FUSES. IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS IT IS SUCH A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE A CAR FULL OF PEOPLE AND HEAVEN FORBID IT CATCHES ON FIRE OR THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS DAMAGED? WE ALL DIE? *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 27, 2011
2006 BMW 325I. AFTER PARKING WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND MY ELDERLY PARENTS IN THE BACK SEATS, ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK. THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. NEITHER WOULD THE REMOTE OR THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. MY WIFE AND ELDERLY PARENTS HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND FROM THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT THE CAR VIA THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. WHAT IF THERE WAS A FIRE? THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH BMW CARS WHERE A 15AMP FUSE WAS INSTALLED FOR THE DOOR MECHANISM. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ( 51 19 07 ) WHICH CALLS FOR REPLACING THE 15AMP FUSE FOR A 20 AMP FUSE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TT
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2011
WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE USING THE REMOTE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ONE MANUAL UNLOCK LATCH FOR KEY INSERT INTO THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE REMAINING THREE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED AT ALL, NOT EVEN WHEN OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO THE GAS TANK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM NUMEROUS VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, THERE IS NO WAY TO GET OUT OF THE THREE LOCKED DOORS. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN!!!! FOUND A BLOWN FUSE, AND REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. CHECK THE COMPLAINT LIST, PLEASE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 29, 2011
2006 BMW 330I - COMPLETE FAILURE OF ALL DOOR LOCKING MECHANISMS RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO BOTH REAR DOORS AND PASSENGER FRONT DOOR, FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS OCCURRED FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR, CAUSING NUMEROUS FUSES TO BLOW. THIS HAPPENED FROM NORMAL USE OF THE REMOTE KEY LESS ENTRY SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK IS FAILING AND LOCKING ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE KEY IN THE KEYHOLE. ELECTRONIC LOCK DOESN'T UNLOCK. *KB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 6, 2011
DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING WITH KEY FOB AND CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM. REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. REPLACED FUSE BUT THIS STILL DID NOT ALLOW DOOR TO OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 29, 2011
3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2006 BMW 325XI FAILED. A FRIEND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ONCE WE STOPPED AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT, THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND HAD TO BE REMOVED VIA THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE TWO REAR DOORS AND ONE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER. THE BUTTONS WOULD NOT WORK TO OPEN THEM AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED BY PULLING THE HANDLE INSIDE. MY 76 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER HAD JUST LEFT THE CAR 20 MINUTES EARLIER AND HAS DIFFICULTY WITH MOBILITY, IT WAS 94 DEGREES TODAY, WHAT WOULD I DO IF SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR IN THIS HEAT? THE PROBLEM IS CONSTANT AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO CONFIRMED THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT S32869 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 48,900. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1,000. UPDATED 08/04/11
Latches/locks/linkages, May 31, 2011
2006 BMW 330I STARTED INTERMITTENTLY HAVE DOOR LOCK ISSUES. ONE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK BUT OTHERS WOULD. TODAY (05/31/11) I WAS AT LUNCH WITH MY KIDS AND WE WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE EXCEPT THE RIGHT REAR. I LEANED IN AND TRIED TO UNLOCK THE OTHERS WITH THE HANDLE BUT THEY WOULD NOT. I CLIMBED THROUGH TO THE DRIVERS SEAT AND DROVE HOME. I GOT TO MY HOUSE AND WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE BUTTON ON THE DASH, THE KEY, OR BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. I HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW AND I HAD TO PULL MY KIDS OUT OF THEIR WINDOWS TO GET THEM OUT. NOW THE CAR IS AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT BUT THE CAR IS TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MEANTIME. I AM SCARED SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN AND WE WILL GET TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 31, 2011
DOOR LOCK FAILURE ON 2006 BMW 325I. ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I WENT TO LOCK THE CAR AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THE DOORS LOCKED BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAN OPEN NOW. I CANNOT EVEN OPEN THE OTHER DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON. WE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK AND GET OUR 7 MONTH OLD BABY OUT THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 3, 2011
THE KEY FOB FAILS TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CENTRAL LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH FAILS TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO COME OUT OF THE CAR. *TR THE DOOR LATCH INSIDE THE CAR DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR EITHER. THEY ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 1, 2011
ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK WHETHER I USED THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL UNLOCK BUTTON. COULD NOT EVEN OPEN UP DOORS FROM INSIDE. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD KIDS IN MY CAR AND AN EMERGENCY EXISTED THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THEM OUT THE DOOR LET ALONE GETTING MYSELF OUT. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE DOORS WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS AND NOW THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE HAS RESURFACED. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THAT BMW HAS HAD THIS DOOR LOCK FUSE/DOOR ACTUATOR ISSUE FOR A LONG LONG TIME, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS (LIFE THREATENING) AND DESERVES A RECALL. BMW ONLY WANTS TO REPLACE THE 15A FUSE WITH A 20A FUSE FOR A FIX, BUT DOING THIS DOESN'T FIX THE ROOT PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 22, 2011
DOOR LOCKS ON 2006 BMW 330XI SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY MIDWAY THROUGH THE DAY AND WERE UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE EMBEDDED PHYSICAL KEY IN THE FOB BUT WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR AND TRIED OPERATING THE DOORS THEY AGAIN LOCKED BUT WERE UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED NEITHER BY THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE, THE FOB OR THE DOOR HANDLE. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, AND USE THE EMERGENCY MECHANICAL KEY TO UNLOCK IT BY EXTENDING MY HAND OUT THE WINDOW. SINCE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR WITH A PHYSICAL KEYLOCK, IT WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WAS ABLE TO OPEN. FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY, ALL 3 PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THEIR WINDOWS TO EXIT. *TR
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 15, 2011
BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (SIB-51-19-07) ON THE BMW VEHICLES: DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE IS ONLY ONE EXIT (AND ENTRY) INTO THE VEHICLE AND THAT IS THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND THE ABILITY/MOBILITY OF THE PASSENGERS THIS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. MY 2006 325I BMW (VIN: [XXX]) IS HAVING ITS FRONT DOOR LOCKING/LATCHING ASSEMBLES REPLACED DUE TO THEM MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THIS SHORT IS CAUSING THE FUSE WHICH UNLOCKS THE DOORS TO BLOW WHICH CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK THEIR DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE (EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER?S DOOR) IN THE EVENT ONE NEEDS TO EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY (OR JUST ENTERING OR EXITING THE BMW). AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY FORMER MOTHER-IN-LAW HAS A 2006 325I BMW AND SHE JUST HAD HER BMW SERVICED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. FROM WHAT I AM BEING TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR THESE LOCKING/LATCHING ASSEMBLE WILL RUN ABOUT $750-800 (PARTS AND LABOR). IN MY OPINION, THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS SHOULD BE A RECALL REPLACEMENT VS A CONSUMER COST. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 24, 2011
ALL 4 DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AND OPEN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 18, 2011
DOOR LOCKING ISSUES, DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN HANDLE IS OPENED BY PASSENGERS. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK VIA KEY FOB. POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH CONTROL MODULE GM5 WITHIN THE BMW DASHBOARD. *LN
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 9, 2011
BMW CENTRAL LOCKING MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT LOCKING UP PASSENGERS INSIDE. ALL 4 DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH DOOR NOB OR UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON. EVEN FUSE BLOWN WILL MAKE THIS CENTRAL LOCKING MODULE FAIL RESULTING PASSENGER LOCK UP IN THE CAR. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE TO UNLOCK DOORS FROM INSIDE. *TR