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, Jun 19, 2010
FAILURE OF DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS IN 2006 BMW 330I. INSIDE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD NOT FUNCTION, REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT UNLOCK ANY DOORS, KEY WOULD UNLOCK DRIVER FRONT DOOR, GAS DOOR COULD NOT OPEN, NO WAY TO UNLOCK/OPEN PASSENGER FRONT/REAR OR DRIVER REAR DOORS EVEN USING INSIDE HANDLES. CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR AND HAD TO EXIT EITHER THROUGH THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR OR THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE PREVENTING OR DELAYING EGRESS OF PASSENGERS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT AND OCCUPANTS ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE LOCKED DOORS. HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WAS THE ONLY FUNCTIONING DEVICE IN THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS EXITED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE REPAIR COST. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,200.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 17, 2010
2006 BMW 325I DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. THE FUSES RELATING THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM KEEP BLOWING OUT. THEY SHOULD RECALL FOR ACTUATOR CHANGE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 11, 2009
WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION OF A PENDING FAILURE, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS. THE LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH ON THE DASH WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS NOR WOULD THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE. THE ONLY DOOR THAT CAN BE UNLOCKED IS THE DRIVER?S DOOR AND ONLY WHEN USING THE INTEGRATED KEY DIRECTLY WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE DOOR OR USING THE ?DOUBLE JERK? MECHANISM (MECHANICAL OVERRIDE) OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. NONE OF THE PASSENGERS DOORS HAVE THE ?DOUBLE JERK? MECHANISM (MECHANICAL OVERRIDE) AND ANYBODY RIDING AS A PASSENGER WOULD BE STUCK IN THE CAR WITH A MEANS OF EXIT OTHER THAN THE DRIVER?S DOOR OR THE WINDOWS. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS FAILURE, THE GAS COMPARTMENT AND THE ELECTRICAL REARVIEW MIRRORS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO DAMAGED BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES AND THE DOOR ACTUATORS, BUT REFUSED TO COVER THE COSTS FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS TURNED INTO A DEATH TRAP. AN EX-MECHANIC OF THE DEALER HAS SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE HAS SEEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW BEFORE SOME GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 5, 2009
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING A THE SPARE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE STUCK IN MY CAR. THERE WOULD BE NO WAY FOR THE DOORS TO BE OPENED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. ITS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 2, 2009
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE VEHICLE'S REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING A MANUAL KEY BUT ALL 3 OTHER DOORS REMAINED LOCKED DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY THE REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY DEPRESSING THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Sep 1, 2009
THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT OPEN USING THE REMOTE. BMW IS ASKING TO PAY THEM FOR DIAGNOSIS AND EVENTUAL REPAIR. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE COST SHOULD BE ON BMW. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 24, 2009
CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF BUTTON PUSHING THAT RESULTED IN MY BEING LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NOT EVEN THE DOUBLE HANDLE PULL THAT USUALLY RELEASES THE LOCK FROM THE INSIDE WORKED. HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE MANUAL KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO UNLOCK. DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN FUSE. FUSE WAS REPLACED. NOW LOCKS ARE INTERMITTENT AGAIN AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WORKING OK. THE CAR HAS HAD THE ACTUATOR REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT APPEARS TO BE BROKEN AGAIN. WILL NOT ELECTRICALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK NOW. THIS SEAMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED ALL FOUR DOORS TO LOCK HIM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE VALET KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE DOOR LATCHES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 24, 2009
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE VEHICLE'S REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING A MANUAL KEY BUT ALL 3 OTHER DOORS REMAINED LOCKED DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY THE REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY DEPRESSING THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. IF MY SON AND I WERE IN A WRECK AND THE DRIVER SIDE DAMAGED WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 29, 2009
THE CAR LOCKS FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, ONE TIME LOCKING ME INSIDE MY CAR. THE MANUAL LOCKS ALSO STOP WORKING SO USING A KEY OR OPENING FROM THE INSIDE WITH THE HANDLE IS IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN DECEMBER AND THEY REPLACED THE LOCKING MECHANISMS FOR THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR AND GAS CAP DOOR. IN JANUARY, MY LOCKS FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME FORCING ME TO CRAWL IN AND OUT MY FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO MY CAR. THE DEALER THIS TIME REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK FUSE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE STUCK IN MY CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 7, 2008
I WAS AT THE STORE WHEN THE CAR LOCKS JAMMED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO THE CAR WAS BY MANUALLY USING THE KEY. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE REAL ISSUE WAS THAT THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE OPENED WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE USING THE MANUAL KEY. ALL THE OTHERS WERE JAMMED SHUT. THERE WOULD BE NO WAY FOR THOSE DOORS TO BE OPENED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. ITS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY DESIGN. SEE THREADS AND YOUTUBE VIDEO. HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=3080752 HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=3V04L-ISYCS THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GET TO PASSENGERS, ALSO, FIRE SITUATIONS WOULD BE DEADLY, SUBMERGING IN WATER COULD ALSO PROVE TO BE A DISASTROUS. THE ONLY REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT WITH THE SAME ACTUATOR, BUT THE PROBLEM IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. OVER TIME IT WILL REOCCUR. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. EMPLOYEE: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM (UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE) SAFETY, QUALITY, AND MISSION ASSURANCE ENGINEER *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 10, 2008
FOR NO REASON ONE DAY, MY DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK AND I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS TO USE THE KEY AND OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS ONLY WORKS FOR THE DRIVER DOOR, AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE REMAINING DOORS. THIS COULD BE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN CONSISTENT AND IS NOT INTERMITTENT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED FOR ALL CARS ON THE ROAD, SINCE PEOPLE COULD DIE. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS. THE CAR EFFECTED IS 2006 BMW 325I. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 30, 2008
WHILE I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN MY 2006 BMW 325I HAD A MAJOR LOCKING FAILURE. I COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS OF THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THIS TO ME IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE ALL OTHER DOORS WHERE NOT OPERABLE, THUS NO ONE COULD SAFELY GET OUT OF THE CAR IF WE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SAFETY UNLOCK WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 2, 2008
BMW 325XI DOES NOT PROVIDE A MANUAL DOOR LOCKING OVERRIDE FOR THEIR CARS. THIS LACK OF DESIGN MAKES THEIR CAR A TRAP FOR ALL PASSENGERS WHEN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILS. ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING A CAR ( NEW ) BMW 325XI, THE DOORS AND WINDOW SYSTEM FAILED IN VERY DANGEROUS WAY. WITH MY BABY AND MY WIFE ON THE BACK SIT, WHEN I TRY TO EXIT THE CAR THE DOOR SYSTEM START SHUTTING DOWN, THE DOORS AND WINDOW SYSTEM JUST WOULD NOT OPEN. THE ONLY ONE THAT OPEN WAS THE DRIVER SIDE ONE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIME. ONCE ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO LEAN OUT THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE MANUAL KEY. THE LATEST ONE WAS WITH MY 7 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE CLIMBING OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ONCE I PULLED UP THE DOOR KNOB WITH A PLIER, BUT THE DOOR STILL LOCKED.MY COMPLAINT IS NOT THAT I NEED TO FIX THE CAR, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS CAR DOES NOT PROVIDE A MANUAL OVERRIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR IN CASE THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILS. BASICALLY ALL PASSENGER CAN BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ESCAPE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 27, 2008
I WAS INSIDE MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE SWITCH ON THE DASH WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS NOR WOULD THE REMOTE. THE DOOR HANDLES INSIDE THE CAR WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR EITHER. LUCKILY I REMEMBERED THAT IF I HELD DOWN ON ONE OF THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE CONTROL THE WINDOWS WOULD OPEN. I THEN HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE CAR WAS MORE THAN 100 DEGREES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT HAD THE REMOTE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR! *TR
Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK IN 2007. ALL OF THE LOCKS ARE ELECTRONIC AND THERE IS A MASTER UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO DRIVE TO THE SERVICE DEALER IN ORDER TO BE LET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAD TO RESET THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE LOCKS. ON MARCH 22, 2008, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE DOOR LOCKS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE ELECTRIC MIRRORS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A NEW VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 8, 2007
REGARDING HIS DEFECTIVE 2006 BMW 325I CUSTOMER IS SEEKING FULL REIMBURSEMENT, REPLACEMENT OF THE CAR OR UPGRADE**CC THE SUNROOF AND DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, THE BRAKE PADS WERE FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE HOOD WAS VIBRATING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND DISCOVERED THE HOOD WASN'T LEVELED. THE DRIVER SIDE DIDN'T SEEM TO FULLY ADHERE TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. *JB