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
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 1, 2011
2006 BMW 325I DOOR LOCK/LATCH FAILURE. UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEY FOB. DOORS WILL LOCK BUT NOW NOT POSSIBLE TO OPEN ANY DOORS WITH FOB OR WITH LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE CAR. MUST UNLOCK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH VALET KEY. FUEL DOOR ALSO LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN. ALL READY HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. *LN
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 21, 2011
DOORS WILL NO LONGER UNLOCK USING REMOTE KEY FOB OR INTERIOR DOOR UNLOCKING BUTTON. ONLY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN MANUALLY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 17, 2011
DOORS FAILED AND CONTINUE TO FAIL TO UNLOCK. PASSENGERS WERE STUCK IN VEHICLE. DRIVER'S DOOR WAS UNLOCKED BY OPENING WINDOW. FRONT PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER CONSOLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 14, 2011
2006 BMW 325 I - DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY BMW. THEY ARE FAULTY AND BMW SUGGESTS WHEN ONE FAILS YOU REPLACE BOTH FOR OVER $800.00. KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW BUT REFUSES TO HELP, ONLY CHARGE. *TR
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 8, 2010
FAILURE OF STEERING COLUMN LOCK, CAUSING INABILITY TO RESTART AUTOMOBILE INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EARLY 2006 330I MODELS, BUT A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED. MY CAR HAS VERY LOW MILES, SO IT WAS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. BMW OFFERED TO SUPPLY THE PARTS FOR FREE, HOWEVER I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN 100% COVERED BY BMW AS A RECALL AND HANDLED PROACTIVELY BY THE COMPANY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 2, 2010
WENT TO UNLOCK DOORS IN 2006 BMW 325I AND THERE WAS A RAPID CLICKING SOUND IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO RESPOND AFTERWARDS AND BOTH FRONT DOORS REMAINED LOCKED. THE FOB, NOR THE INTERNAL UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ALLOW THE DOORS TO BE UNLOCKED AND ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE DID NOT WORK EITHER. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED BY PHYSICAL KEY, PULLING THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE ALSO DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 25, 2010
WENT TO UNLOCK DOORS IN 2006 BMW 330I AND THERE WAS A RAPID CLICKING SOUND IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO RESPOND AFTERWARDS AND ALL DOORS REMAINED LOCKED. THE FOB, NOR THE INTERNAL UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ALLOW THE DOORS TO BE UNLOCKED AND ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE DID NOT WORK EITHER. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED BY PHYSICAL KEY OR BY PULLING THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE. AN INITIAL ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE FUSE #57 WITH A 20A FUSE OVER THE ORIGINAL BLOWN 15A FUSE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 19, 2010
I HAVE A BMW 320D. A FEW DAYS AGO MY WIFE WAS OUT SOMEWHERE AND SHE LOCKED THE CAR IT WEREN'T LOCKING SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND THEN PRESS LOCK, IT LOCKED. WHEN SHE CAME BACK SHE WAS TRYING TO UNLOCK IT BUT IT WEREN'T UNLOCKING. SHE HAD TO USE THE TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE FOB AND OPEN IT MANUALLY, THEN THE ALARM STARTED GOING OFF SO SHE HAD TO TURN THE CAR ON SO IT WOULD STOP. NOW ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE OPENS BUT YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY WITH THE KEY, HE REST WON'T OPEN OR CLOSE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE BMW GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST AROUND 600 TO REPLACE THE LATCHES. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND YOU DON'T EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN TO A 27,000 CAR AFTER ONLY HAVING IT FOR 3 YEARS. ALSO IF THEIR EVER WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOOR LATCHES STOPPED WORKING NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT, THEY WOULD ALL HAVE TO RUSH OUT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED EITHER BY ALARM OR BY THE INSIDE BUTTONS THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REOPENED UNLESS A KEY WAS USED AND IT COULD ONLY BE REOPENED WITH A KEY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 10, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR FAILED RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB. I CAN UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH THE VALET KEY. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS CAN BE UNLOCKED AND CAN NOT EVEN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. IF SOMEONE GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR, THEY COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IF IN AN ACCIDENT ANY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET OUT BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 28, 2010
I WAS IN MY CAR (BMW 325I - 2006) WITH TWO KIDS, A TODDLER AND A NEWBORN. I LOCKED THE DOOR AND WINDOW BECAUSE MY TODDLER WANTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. LATER I TRIED TO ROLL DOWN THE REAR WINDOW AND HEARD A CRACK. THE WINDOW WAS BROKEN. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE WINDOW BROKEN AND DOWN WITH MY KIDS IN THERE. THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND OF COURSE WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE MY TODDLER KNOWS HOW TO OPEN THE SEAT BELT AND ALSO POSSESSED DANGEROUS TO OTHER VEHICLES AS SHE CAN THROW TOYS OUT OF THE WINDOW. I WILL TAKE MY VEHICLE TO BMW DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE SITUATION. I'VE NEVER HAD EXPECTED THAT I CAN ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW WHILE IT IS LOCKED. HOW DO I SUPPOSE TO REMEMBER THAT THE WINDOW HAS BEEN LOCKED OR WHAT IF MY SPOUSE LOCKED IT WHILE SHE DROVE. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 17, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TWICE ON MY 2006 BMW 325I. THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO OPEN THE CAR IS BY USING THE EXTERIOR KEY. THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AND THE PPASSENGERS HAD TO CRAWL ACROSS THE SEATS TO EXIT THE CAR. THEY JUST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 3, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK ON THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS UNLOCKED AND WOULDN'T LOCK BACK. I HAD TO CLIMB ACROSS THE PASSENGER'S SEAT TO GET OUT. THIS IS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY WHEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY AND THIS HAPPENS. VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 27, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CAR HAS AUTOMATIC LOCKS THAT CAN BE TRIGGERED WITH A REMOTE KEY OR INSIDE THE CAR WITH A LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE DASHBOARD. THE "UNLOCK" FEATURE HAS FAILED AND I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH EITHER THE REMOTE OR THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE ONLY DOOR THAT CAN BE UNLOCKED FROM EITHER INSIDE THE CAR OR OUTSIDE THE CAR IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. ALL THE OTHER PASSENGER DOORS ARE LOCKED AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED. THIS OBVIOUSLY CREATES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE GAS TANK IS ALSO LOCKED WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HOWEVER, THIS CAN BE OVERCOME THROUGH THE MANUAL GAS TANK RELEASE IN THE TRUNK. THE LOCK FAILURE MUST BE REMEDIED WITH SOME TYPE OF REPAIR, EITHER OF A FUSE OR A REPAIR OF THE ACTUATORS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 27, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR FAILED RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB. I CAN UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH THE VALET KEY. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS CAN BE UNLOCKED AND CAN NOT EVEN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE HEAT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RECENTLY SOMEONE GETTING LOCKED INSIDE THEIR CAR COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IF IN AN ACCIDENT ANY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET OUT BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 21, 2010
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK NOT UNLOCKING WITH EITHER THE REMOTE OR MANUAL HANDLE INSIDE, WILL ONLY OPEN WITH THE KEY MANUALLY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE, CAUSING SOMEONE TO BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THAT THE FUSES ARE BLOWING OUT CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS TO MALFUNCTION.THIS HAD BEEN THE SECOND TIME HE CONTACT HAD BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18885 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK NEITHER FROM THE INSIDE NOR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,333 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,443.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 11, 2010
3 DOORS ON THE CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. LUCKILY THE DRIVER DOOR STILL WORKED. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 11, 2010
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. OCCUPANTS ARE LOCKED IN VEHICLE. BLOWN FUSE (NO 57) CAUSED BY AMPERAGE SPIKE IN ONE OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. SPIKE IS DUE TO CONTAMINATION WITH SILICONE. BMW HAS ISSUED A SIB ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 30, 2010
DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WHEN INSIDE THE CAR USING THE REMOTE OR THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON OR THE HANDLE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 27, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 325 I WITH ONLY 34K ON IT,ALL ITS DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR CANT BE OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE,ONLY DRIVER DOOR OPEN. IT IS A GREAT DANGER IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FIRE PEOPLE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OR FROM REAR SEATS CAN GET STUCK . *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 22, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2006 BMW 325XI ALL FAILED AT ONCE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK AT ALL, EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN WITH THE KEY AND IS THE ONLY ONE, SO FAR, THAT CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HAD PASSENGERS BEEN IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 15, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO WELL KNOWN BY BMW FAULTY DOOR ACTUATORS. LEFT SIDE GOT LOCKED, WHILE RIGHT SIDE KEPT BEING UNLOCKED. THE WORST PART IS THAT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE LOCKED PASSENGER DOOR, SO WE HAD TO "BELT IT" TO THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR TO EB ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. SHAME ON BMW FOR VERY POOR DESIGN W/O ANY MECHANICAL WAY OF LOCKING/UNLOCKING. VERY UNSAFE IT HAPPENS AT COLLISION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2010
BMW DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY AND AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED. THIS IS ONE WEEK AFTER A SERVICE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. LOCKS WOULD NOT DISENGAGE EXCEPT MANUALLY WITH EMERGENCY KEY (FROM OUTSIDE). DRIVER'S DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL OPEN - OTHERS ARE INOPERABLE. FUEL FILLER CAP WILL ALSO NOT OPEN. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE RESEARCHED BY BMW AND REMEDIED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER - THIS IS DEFINITELY AN INCONVENIENCE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY FATAL. *TR