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: seat belts
104 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 4, 2023
Put a box of moderate weight into the passenger seat (hard drives) - probably 40 lbs. After driving for a few minutes and over a few bumps, the seat belt warning light came on because the seat sensor was tripped by the weight. Put the seat belt on to silence the warning. Shortly thereafter, both the seatbelt and passenger airbag warning lights showed on the dash, regardless of occupancy. Hooked up to scanning tool and cleared the codes but they always return. This is not a rare event from reading the online forums - it is likely due to the sensor mat in the seat for occupancy being defective, or a combination of that and the seat belt pre-tensioner being defective, for the passenger side only. The vehicle operates normally other than the warning lights. Obviously have not tested the airbag, but that is highly unlikely to be the actual problem from my investigation of the symptoms.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 30, 2022
I purchased a used car that now has a passenger restraint sensor warning. Please fulfill a recall as this is a recurring issue with bmw
Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2021
MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE GASOLINE SMELL. MY SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEED NEW SEATBELTS.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 11, 2020
PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING AND PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNED OFF
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 6, 2019
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. (FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, BELT FORCE LIMITER) WHILST DRIVING. AIR BAG RECALLED JUST TWO MONTHS AGO! AND NOW NEW ISSUE. WORRIED FOR SAFETY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 11, 2019
FEW MILES AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE ERROR ICON WAS SHOWN ON THE DISPLAY SHOWING AIRBAG ICON AND SEATBELT ICON. WAS ABLE TO DISPLAY THE ERROR CODE: CC-ID 97. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ERROR WAS TRIGGERED, AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON CITY STREETS.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 15, 2019
THERE IS A PROBLEM REGARDING THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP AND THE MRS SYSTEM. NHTSA RECALL 10025849 COVERS VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 8/31/05 TO 4/26/06. MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN 6/2006 (JUST TWO MONTHS LATER) AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 18, 2018
BMW 325CI 2006 FRONT LEFT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT WIRING DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSE THE WIRING TO CRACK AND FAIL. THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE WIRING FAILS THE DRIVER CANNOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS, USE HIGH BEAMS OR ANY HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS. BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR HELP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE PART IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT IGNITER WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INSIDE A SEALED COMPARTMENT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL BRING UP MULTIPLE OTHER CASES OF FAILURE IN OTHER CARS WITH PICTURES. BMW 335CI 2006 REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORT OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS. A FAULT IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ONLY DISPLAYED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. BMW 325CI A FRONT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. BMW325CI A FRONT SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH PERIODICALLY AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THE WARNING SUGGESTS THERE IS A FAILURE WITH THE SEATBELT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 3, 2018
I AM FRIGHTENED TO DEATH THAT THE AFOREMENTIONED RECALL OF ALMOST THE ENTIRE SRS CONTROLS WAS NOT PROPERLY FIXED. DUPLICATED WARNINGS FOR BOTH HAVE BEEN A DAILY PROBLEM AND AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE SYMPTOMS PRIOR. NO ACCIDENT TO REPORT, YET A COMPLETELY VALID POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR BODILY HARM! MY OTHER CAR IS 16 YEARS OLD AND JUST WAS IN FOR A NEW AND ACTIVE RECALL AS THE BAGS WERE DEPLOYING SHRAPNEL AND PLASTIC....AND SHE'S 16 YEARS OLD! I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION! LOOKING FORWARD TO A PROMPT RESPONSE! I'LL BE DRIVING IT TO MY NEPHEW'S WEDDING AT FORT CAMPBELL ARMY BASE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF RICHFIELD (746 DANBURY RD, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877, (203) 438-0471) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHTS ON WITHOUT CRASH ALSO SEAT BELT LIGHT ON.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Oct 24, 2017
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. RECEIVED WARNING MESSAGE WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN FRONT SEAT. LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF TIME.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SUN MOTOR CARS BMW, 6691 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050; (717) 697-2300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 14, 2017
GETTING A HARD WARNING FOR "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". APPARENTLY THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT GOING BAD. THIS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR FATALITY AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 6, 2017
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THE AIRBAG STAYS OFF EVEN AFTER HAVING A PASSENGER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO GET A SEATBELT SIGN EVEN IF THE SEATBELT IS WORN BY THE PASSENGER. WENT TO DEALER ASKING FOR $200 TO CHECK PROBLEM AND $500 TO REPAIR.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 29, 2017
AIR BAG WARNING AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND STAYED ON EACH OCCURRENCE. HAVE TAKEN VECHICLE TO DEALER AND SHOP TO HAVE LIGHT RESET AT LEAST 6 TIMES, ONLY TO HAVE BOTH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 26, 2017
GETTING ERROR ON DASH THAT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 18, 2017
I GOT HOME FROM AN OUTTING WITH FRIENDS AND "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MALFUNCTION" APPEARED ON MY SCREEN. DID ALITTLE RESEARCH, MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WILL EITHER DEPLOY METAL SHARDS OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL INCASE OF AN ACCIDENT. OR THE SEATBELT WILL NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE "VIN SPECIFIC" AND CAN ONLY DO MY DRIVER SIDE. BUT EVERYBODY SEEMS TO ONLY HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE THE SENSOR IN STOCK THAT CAN SAVE A LIFE, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THE JOB JUST BECAUSE MY "VIN" DOES NOT MATCH FOR THE RECALL IN THEIR COMPUTERS! *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Dec 20, 2016
I HAVE RECEIVED A SENSOR LIGHT STATING THAT I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THEN IT GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE SITS DOWN WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PRESSURE SENSOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL FOR BMW BUT MY VIN APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I AM EXTENDING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT BMW WILL INVESTIGATE AND EXTEND THE RECALL TO MORE MODELS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 28, 2016
THIS BMW HAD A RECALL, WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER SHIP MARCH 2016, SEATBELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. BMW SHOULD CHECK THIS OUT AT NO COST AND THE RECALL SHOULD NOT BE CLOSED OR THERE SHOULD BE AN EXCEPTION WHEN YOU BUY A USED BMW. IT'S A HAZARD IF THE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY OR THE SEATBELT DOES NOT WORK
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 8, 2016
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THERE'S A RECALL FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR BUT FOR SOME REASON "MY VIN" DOESN'T FALL INTO THE RECALL.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 18, 2016
FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ALWAYS BREAKS
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 9, 2016
RECENTLY THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SENSOR INDICATED A FAILURE. I CAN ATTRIBUTE SUCH FAILURE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR (PLACED IN THE SEAT MAT). WHEN I CONTACTED BMW USA, THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL (CAMPAIGN [XXX]). I WOULD APPRECIATE THE NHTSA / DOT TO INVESTIGATE EXPANDING THE RECALL TO ALL E90 / 2006 BMW 330XI NOT JUST MODELS PRODUCED AFTER 12/ 2005. I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY VEHICLE IN 11/2005. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, May 27, 2016
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE/TENSIONER FAILED AND WOULD NOT HOLD ONTO SEATBELT. THIS CAUSED THE SEATBELT ALARM TO SOUND AS WELL AS DEACTIVATE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG
Seat belts, May 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.