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: seats
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seats, Jun 27, 2025
The passenger seat occupancy sensor (OC3 mat) on my 2006 BMW 3 Series (VIN: [XXX] ) has failed. As a result, the front passenger airbag is disabled, which poses a serious safety risk. BMW issued a 15-year warranty extension for this issue, acknowledging it as a common failure, but my vehicle is now slightly outside the coverage period. This part is vital for detecting front-seat occupants and enabling the airbag during a crash. I believe BMW should still be required to fix this safety-critical defect, especially in vehicles where the issue was never repaired while under the extended coverage window. This should be reclassified as a full safety recall, not just an expired service campaign. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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, Seats, Jan 28, 2023
Existing vehicle recall excludes this particular VIN among the same MY and model even though this VIN is affected. Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, [shortened]. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. CONSEQUENCE: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
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
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 11, 2020
PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING AND PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNED OFF
Air bags, Seats, Feb 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG PASSENGER RESTRAINT, SEAT BELT, AND AIR BAG MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PACIFIC BMW LOCATED AT 800 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,235.
Air bags, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2018
I BELIEVE THE SEAT SENSOR IN MY 2006 BMW 325I FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS FAULTY. THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THE LIGHT COMES ON THAT SHOWS THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT ON AND ALSO THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT BUCKLED, WHETHER THEY ARE BUCKLED, OR THERE ISN'T A PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT AT ALL. WHETHER I AM STATIONARY OR DRIVING/MOVING AT ANY SPEED, THOSE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, AND WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, THEN THEY COME BACK ON AGAIN. I AM IN A CARPOOL SO I FREQUENTLY AM THE DRIVER AND I HAVE SOMEONE IN THAT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. NEWER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE THIS SEAT SENSOR ON RECALL, SO THE 2006 SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.
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, Seats, Sep 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL- MY AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 2X(1X UNDER WARRANTY) 1X I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND NOW A 3RD TIME (OUT OF POCKET) IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME THIS HAS BROKEN.
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, Seats, Aug 19, 2017
RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION FOR FRONT PASSENGER CODE 93C3. MY VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL BUT THE PARTICULAR MODEL HAS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE CODE IS FOR THE AIRBAG WHICH WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT OR NOT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 26, 2017
GETTING ERROR ON DASH THAT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT RECOGNIZED A PASSENGER EVEN WHEN NOTHING OR NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEATHER SEATS NEEDED TO BE RECONDITIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ *AS
Seats, Jan 9, 2017
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT FAILED. AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AIR BAG FAULTS WERE SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD AND INFORMATION CENTER. RECALL CAMPAIGN - 08V384000 WAS ISSUED BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER MODELS IN THIS YEAR.
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, Seats, Aug 3, 2016, fire
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT A HOLE FROM BOTTOM UP, TOOK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS FROM THE AIRBAG SENSOR THAT CAUGHT IT FIRE, I WAS GETTING HAIR DONE AT6 PM IN EVENING, CAME OUT I HOUR LATER AND SMELT FIRE, LOOKED AND THERE WAS HOLE IN SEAT, TURNED ON AIR AND ROLLED DOWN WINDOWS, WAIVED A MAGAZINE OVER IT AND MADE SURE IT WAS OUT. DROVE HOME ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TRIED TO CALL BMW THEY WERE CLOSED, WENT TO MY MECHANIC NEXT MORNING HE TOLD ME IT WAS FAULTY TO CALL BMW, I CALLED BMW PLAZA AND THEY TOLD ME TOUGH THEY WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. I HATED THE HOLE SO WENT TO AUTOZONE TO GET SOMETHING TO REPAIR IT WHICH MADE IT LOOK WORSE...BEEN LOOKING ON LINE FOR SEATS VERY EXPENSIVE. MY BOSS TOLD ME AS WELL THAT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL WHICH I MESSAGED FROM MISSOURI AND US ATTORNEY GENERAL. THIS COULD OF BEEN WORSE, IF I WOULD OF BEEN LONGER ARRIVING TO MY CAR IT COULD OF CAUGHT FIRE POSSIBLY OR EVEN WORSE MY DAUGHTER COULD OF BEEN THERE AND BURNT. IF THIS WOULD OF BEEN WINTER WITH THE HEATED SEAT ON SHE COULD OF BEEN SEVERELY BURNT, MAYBE DEAD. THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED.
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, Seats, Jun 2, 2016
AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY ENTRY TO THE LONG LIST OF BMW 325 OWNERS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT DEFECT RECALL (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000), BUT APPARENTLY ARE NOT. ACCORDING TO BMW, MY CAR WAS MADE A MONTH BEFORE I.E. NOV 2005, THE RECALL DATE PARAMETERS, WHICH STARED IN DEC 2005. THIS INVOLVES A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MALFUNCTION THAT DISABLES THE AIRBAGS IN 2006 E90 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN. BMW RECALLED PREVIOUS YEARS SENSORS BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE IN LATER MODELS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOLKS AFFECTED BY THIS: SEE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/BMW/325/2006/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SEATS.SHTML NTSB, PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ASAP! AND THANKS!
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Apr 30, 2016
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT ERROR IS SHOWING. ACCORDING TO TBE NHTSA DATA BASE UNDER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION (MAKE MODEL AND YEAR) THERES AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY MODEL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Feb 21, 2016
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED DUE TO RESTRAINT DETECTION MALFUNCTION. A MESSAGE APPEARS UPON TURNING ON THE VEHICLE WHICH STATES THAT DUE TO RESTRAINT SYSTEM DETECTION FAULT, PASSENGER AIRBAGS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM WILL BE TURNED OFF. PROBLEM STARTED AS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE AND DEVELOPED INTO A CONTINUAL ONE. HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN APRIL 2014 AND HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH BMW OEM SPORT SEATS. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE IN LINE WITH RECALL FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V-564. HOWEVER, BMW DOES NOT RECOGNIZE MY VIN AS BEING A PART OF THIS RECALL.
Air bags, Seats, Jan 20, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THE PASSENGER SEAT'S AIRBAG/WEIGHT SENSOR ON OUR 2006 325I HAS GONE OUT REPEATEDLY (WE'RE ON THE 4TH OR 5TH REPLACEMENT.) IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND THEN THE SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON TO ALERT US THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND STAYS ON UNTIL IT'S REPLACED. HOWEVER, IT USUALLY GOES OUT AGAIN WITHIN 18 MONTHS OR SO. I AM USUALLY SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE OF THE FIRST MALFUNCTION, BUT WE HADN'T OWNED THE CAR VERY LONG; IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE THE SPORTS SEATS WHICH FROM MY READING SEEM TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CAR WAS NOT OVERLOOKED IN THE RECALLS. IT NEVER STAYS FIXED FOR LONG AND I DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED WHEN I'M LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED, OR WORSE. SEEMS LIKE MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE...
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Nov 23, 2015
THE PASSENGER SEATBELT/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AND OFF FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER AROUND FOUR YEARS OF MY PURCHASE IN 2005. THE PROBLEM MIGHT HAVE EXISTED EARLIER; HOWEVER, AS MY VEHICLE USUALLY DID NOT CARRY ANY PASSENGERS, I DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. RECENTLY, THE LIGHT WOULD NOT EVEN GO AWAY. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME ABOUT THE RECALL NUMBER 13V564000, STATING THE "OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 3 SERIES WITH STANDARD SEAT ... WILL RECEIVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THEIR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT." I HAVE CONTACT BMW, BUT THEY SAID THE RECALL AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Oct 26, 2015
MY BMW DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL THAT BMW PUBLISHED. AFTER SEVERAL LIGHTS APPEARED IN MY DASH (AIRBAG, BRAKE, SEATBELT) I HAD THE DISNOSTIC TOOL LOOKED UP AND RECEIVED A FAULT CODE 93C3 SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR, PASSENGER . LOOKING ON THE WEB THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
Air bags, Seats, Sep 18, 2015
ON 7/12/14 THE AIRBAG CAME ON FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND TURN OFF THE AIRBAG SAFETY FOR THIS SEAT AND REALLY BELIEVED IT'S A PROBLEM WITHE MAT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THAT SEAT BUT I DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY RECALL LETTERS FROM YOU MY CAR STILL WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT PUT MY FAMILY ON RISK IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT.