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, Mar 14, 2013
I STARTED MY CAR THAT MORNING AND THE AIRBAG/SEATBELT SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH MY SEATBELT WAS FASTENED. I FASTENED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT BUT IT STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA, GA AND THEY CHARGED ME $120 TO CHECK IT. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST $530 TO REPAIR IT. I DECIDED TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THESE VEHICLES. OTHER VEHICLES WITHIN THE YEAR MODEL HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL BUT 325XI HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED. SINCE THE SAME MALFUNCTION OF THE SAME ITEM IS HAPPENING, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED ON 325XI AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 9, 2013
I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. I WENT TO BMW DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK. BUT THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS NOT ON CAMPAIGN SO I HAVE TO FIX OUT OF MY POCKET. HOWEVER, AS I FOUND ON THE RECALL LIST LIKE BELOW VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): BMW / 3 SERIES 2006 BMW / 5 SERIES 2004-2006 BMW / X3 2004-2006 SUMMARY: 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. MY POINT IS WHAT IS DIFFERENT MY CAR SERIES AND ABOVE 3 SERIES WHY MY CAR IS NOT BELONG TO UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR CAN'T FIX AT DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. IF THERE IS EXCEPTION CARS, I THINK IT SHOULD CLEARLY STATEMENT THAT IS WHY OR EXCEPTION REASON EVEN SAME MODEL. IT IS SO INCONVENIENCE. THIS INFORMATION IS SO CONFUSING FOR VEHICLE OWNER. I REALLY WANT TO LISTEN WHY MY CAR IS NOT ON THE CAMPAIGN AND I WANT TO FIGURE IT OUT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,212.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 23, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT FOR THE AIRBAG FAILED. BMW HAS BULLETIN SIB 65 75 06, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, THAT COVERS MY CARS BUILD DATE, BUT BMW STATES MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS ALSO A CURRENT RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 BUT BMW STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL BMW DEALERS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO COVER IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY CARS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. THEY ARE MANY PEOPLE POSTING ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX ALL THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT REGARDING THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 27, 2012
RANDOMLY WHILE THERE IS EITHER WEIGHT FROM A BAG OR A PERSON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE ROOF. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 30, 2012
FOR THE LISTED 2006 BMW E90 330I, THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED IN THE IDRIVE INTERFACE. "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION!" THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NOTHING OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE SEATBELT, AIRBAG, AND PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED WITH AND WITHOUT A PERSON OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT AND CANNOT BE CLEARED. BMW WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A RECALL OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THIS DEFECT CAUSES A SEVERE SAFETY RISK DUE TO POSSIBLE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURES RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FATALITY. SINCE THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND EQUIPMENT MATCH THE RECALL SPECIFICATIONS; THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE MILEAGE AT WHICH THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND CURRENT MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATELY 86,000. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 13, 2012
PASSENGER AIRBAGS SENSORS COME ON AND OFF, SEAT BELT LIGHT ON WITH PASSENGER IN CAR. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 27, 2012
AFTER A RECALL ON MY (SPORT) SEATS WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER, THE SEATBELT WARNING CHIME SOUNDS WHEN THERE IS NO ONE OR NOTHING IN THE SEAT. IT NEVER DID THIS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CHIME TO STOP IS TO BUCKLE THE PASSENGER BELT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 6, 2012
WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS LIT, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO MICRO-CRACKING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT, HOWEVER BMW ONLY INCLUDES A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF AFFECTED CARS IN THE 2008 RECALL. BMW NA REFUSES TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT FOR ALL 2006 BUILD YEAR 330I MODELS WITH SPORT SEATS. THE SAME SEATS WHICH ARE AFFECTED BY THE IDENTICAL ISSUE FOR 2005 BUILD YEAR. IT SEEMS GIVEN THE NUMBER OF CARS AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED FOR THE 2006 BUILD YEAR. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING IN A COLLISION WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 5, 2012
THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT) HAS FAILED. THIS ISSUE, AS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL BELOW (4.), INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT OF CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES, AND HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA PE07-045 AND EA08-001. IN SHORT, A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAT CAN OCCUR AND WOULD CONSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WITH EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WOULD ILLUMINATE IN SUCH CASE. BMW STATES THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL SINCE IT WAS PRODUCED AFTER 11/2005. YET, THE PROGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS OF THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT BOTH THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DETECTED THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 17, 2012
AIR BAG SIGN KEEPS GOING ON/OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL 08V-384 BUT BMW IS SAYING MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE BUILD WINDOW. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001). *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 26, 2012
THE AIRBAG WARNING COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS OFF AND THE. BELT TENSION SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 23, 2012
MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, IT APPEARED THAT BMW HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT: NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING BMW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DEFECT EXTENDS BEYOND THE VINS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL GIVEN THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 11, 2012
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT IN RED. AFTER DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE SENSOR EMBEDDED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MUST BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2008 FOR THE SAME MODEL YEAR WITH A SIMILAR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG SENSOR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000) ALSO, IN THAT RECALL IT STATES: " BMW IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES: MY 2006 6-SERIES, 3-SERIES (STANDARD SEAT), MY 2004-2005 Z4, MY 2004-2006 7-SERIES, MY 2006 X5, AND MY 2004-2006 5-SERIES (COMFORT SEAT). UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT IN A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCES THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER" HOWEVER, THE LOCAL BMW DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT HONOR THAT WARRANTY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND LOCATED A FAILURE AT THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT ON WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE EVEN WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED AND THE SEAT BELT IN USE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Dec 7, 2011
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V-384. I CALLED BMW ABOUT HIS RECALL AND THEY STATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING AND MULTIPLE OTHERS ARE HAVING IS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, CONDITION, AND DESCRIPTION AS CALLED OUT IN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V-384. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT BMW MAY NOT HAVE THE AFFECTED VEHICLES LOADED CORRECTLY IN THEIR SYSTEM. FOR EXAMPLE THEY TELL YOU THAT THE SPORT SEAT IS NOT COVERED (WHICH I HAVE), BUT IF YOU READ THE LETTERS FROM BMW TO NHTSA, MANY SPORT SEATS ARE COVERED. I SUSPECT THE DATABASE BMW IS USING TO TELL IF A CAR IS COVERED OR NOT MAY NOT BE ACCURATE COMPARED TO THE VEHICLE CATEGORIES LISTED IN THE NHTSA FILINGS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Nov 2, 2011
I'VE LATELY BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE WHERE WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, TWO ICONS ON MY DASH COME ON INDICATING THAT SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED; I GET AN AIRBAG DISABLE ICON IN THE DASH ALONG WITH THE ROOF LINING OF MY VEHICLE NEAR THE SOS BUTTON, A TEXT THAT READS, "PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED" AND IS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED. ALSO A 'SEAT BELT' ICON SHOWS IN THE DASHBOARD DESPITE IT BEING CLICKED IN. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 THANKFULLY DUE TO NHTSA, THE MANUFACTURER, BMWNA, WAS FORCED TO RECALL A TOTAL OF 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA LISTING, MY VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER A MASS RECALL OF THE 'SENSOR MAT' LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF VARIOUS BMW MODELS TO DETECT WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING ON THE SEAT WHICH THEN TRIGGERS THE SENSOR TO READY THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. MY MODEL 2006 BMW 325I (WITH SPORTS AND PREMIUM PACKAGE) IS MENTIONED IN THE VEHICLE LIST, BOTH BY MANUFACTURER MAKE (BMW), MODEL (3-SERIES/ 325I), AND SPECIFICALLY THE TYPE OF SEAT, BEING SPORTS PACKAGE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM TO GET THE ISSUE LOOKED AT AS THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WAS A PRIME CONSIDERATION WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT I SHOULD PAY OUT OF POCKET OR CONTACT BMWNA. I'VE CONTACTED THEM AND THEY DENIED ME COVERAGE EXPLAINING MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY EXORBITANT REPAIR FEES TO FIX BASIC SAFETY SYSTEMS DESPITE THAT MY CAR SHOULD FALL UNDER THE RECALL AS IT IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. MY CAR IS 'BABIED' AND TO BE EXPERIENCING A FAILURE OF SAFETY SYSTEMS IS EXTREMELY NERVE-WRACKING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 13, 2011
A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME AND ALL SORTS OF CAUTIONS POPPED UP ON MY I DRIVE ABOUT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS. LATER ON THAT DAY WHEN I DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER WITH ME EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOW ALMOST EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER WITH ME THE LIGHT COMES ON. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE BEEN DOING ON THIS WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM BUT ONLY ON THE EARLY MODEL 2006 325I. SO I CALLED BMW USA EARLIER TODAY GAVE THEM MY VIN AND MY 2006 325I WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL! WHICH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE COVERED ALL THE 2006 BECAUSE THERE WERE A LOT MORE CASES OF THIS HAPPENING TO EVEN THE LATE MODEL 325I. SO IS THERE ANY WAY MY VIN CAN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL SO I CAN GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RESOLVED? *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Electrical system, May 25, 2011
1. SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY! THE SPEEDO ON MY 2006 325I WAS OFF BY 10%. AT 80MPH ON THE SPEEDO, ACTUAL SPEED WAS 72. AT 30 ACTUAL WAS 27. I HAVE BEEN PULLED BY A COP TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. 2. PASSENGER RESTRAIN ERROR MESSAGE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 14, 2010
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA ID #08V384000. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, SEAT BELT LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL NOT TURN OFF . I CONTACTED BMW VIA THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT AND ALSO VISITED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND THEY BOTH SAY THAT MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER SAID RECALL. MY CAR IS A BMW 2006 330I WITH SPORTS SEATS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE CARS LISTED AS BEING DEFECTIVE BY YOUR DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, BMW STATED THAT THE RECALL IS FOR A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF AIRBAG SENSOR MATTS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING AND THAT MY CAR'S MATT WAS NOT PART OF THIS BATCH. SINCE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE UNDER THE RECALL, AND IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE CARS LISTED IN YOUR REPORT, IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE GOES BEYOND JUST THE BATCH BMW IS CLAIMING WERE DAMAGED. EVEN IF THIS IS TRUE, AND THAT SPECIFIC BATCH OF AIR BAG SENSORS WERE DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING, THEN WHAT'S TO SAY THAT MY AIR BAG SENSOR WASN'T ALSO DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING EVEN IF IT WAS PART OF ANOTHER BATCH. THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION, HOWEVER, WOULD INDICATE THAT THE SENSORS BEING DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING IS FALSE AND THAT THERE IS IN FACT A FLAW WITH THE SENSOR ITSELF. THIS IS EVIDENT IN THE FACT THAT BMW PRODUCED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE SENSOR AND THAT MY SENSOR THOUGH NOT PART OF THE SO CALLED DAMAGED BATCH IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. IF THE CAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSORS WERE DUE TO BEING DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING THEN WHY NEED TO CREATE AN UPDATED VERSION. THE LOGICAL THING TO DO WOULD BE TO ENSURE THE SAFE DELIVERY OF THE SENSORS, NOT CREATE A NEW VERSION. I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME FEATURE AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. BMW CLAIMING THAT THE SYMPTOMS OF MY SENSOR HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE DAMAGED BATCH IS JUST A COINCIDENCE IS A FAR CRY. AT THE VERY LEAST A NEW INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 23, 2009
AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT RELEASE WERE SUDDENLY DISABLED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE REAR LOWER BELT RELEASE MODULE (PART # 72116975363) HAD BEEN MADE NON-OPERATIONAL DUE TO A LIQUID SPILL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEAT BELT SYSTEM TO FAIL. THIS ALSO SHORT CIRCUITED THE CABLE (PART #61129130173) BMW STATES THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO " OUTSIDE INFLUENCES". SPILLS INSIDE THE CAR SHOULD NOT DISABLE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 3, 2008, fire
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 2008, AT 5 P.M., IN HOUSTON,WHEN MY 2006 BMW 325I BEGAN SMOKING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND BURST INTO FLAMES BY THE TIME I GOT IT PARKED. I FIRST NOTICED THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THEN SMOKE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN FILLING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE TIME THE HFD ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD NO RECENT SERVICE OR PROBLEMS. IT HAD NO PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AC JUST BEGAN BLOWING WARM AIR, AND SMOKE STARTED POURING INTO THE COMPARTMENT FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE DASHBOARD - NOT FROM THE AC. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL IT BURST INTO FLAMES. IT HAD TO BE A MECHANICAL DEFECT OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND. *TR