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: steering
107 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2022
Vehicle Steering Lock Malfunction - Car does not start and stuck in Park. Cannot move steering wheel which is locked. This is a design defect that needs to be addressed. Vehicle is rendered inoperative! Cannot move or start it! approx. mileage 105k. This is a new problem besides the current recall which has not been available yet. I've also been locked out of this vehicle and had to climb out of the window, thank God it was not a fire or flood! I was able to fix that problem myself. note: Steering Lock Malfunction is a widespread problem! Dealers want to replace the entire steering column in these cases at a very high cost. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Jun 4, 2020
THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BMW, THE ELV CONTROL /STEERING WARNING LOCK IS FAULTY. BMW ISSUED A TSB TO DEALERS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND SHOULD ONLY BE FIXED IF A CUSTOMER BRINGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE AND CAN ONLY BE FIXED AT A DEALER. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED, IF THE CONTROL CANNOT BE UNLOCKED THE CAR CANNOT START. SINCE BMW HAS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE WITH A TSB, I AM UNSURE AS TO WHY A RECALL AS NOT BEEN ISSUED. THIS ISSUE IS STRICTLY RELATED TO THE BMW COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE OWNERS CAN DO NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Mar 28, 2019
STEERING COLUNM
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 15, 2018
ENGINE SUDDENLY SHOT OFF COMPLETE STALL - LOST POWER STEERING ON FREEWAY WHILE GOING 70 MPH
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 22, 2018
I JUST HAD MY 2006 BMW 330I REPAIRED DUE TO A STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT WHICH APPEARED ON THE ODOMETER CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START.THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS READY TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AT MY JOB. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT WAS ON THE ODOMETER. THE SHOP REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IBS SENSOR CABLE. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNAL AND WHEN I ADJUSTED THE STEERING COLUMN BY RELEASING THE LEVER, THE YELLOW STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT LIT UP ON THE ODOMETER. THE REPAIRS COST ME $1,391.82. THIS CAR ALSO WAS IN THE SHOP DUE TO A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG ON THE STEERING COLUMN. A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THIS PART TWO MONTHS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK OCCURRED. WHAT OTHER PROBLEMS WILL I HAVE WITH THIS BMW SERIES? I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD REFUND MY MONEY FOR THESE REPAIRS.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 27, 2018
ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THIS IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN IT FAILS THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT CAN NOT FIND ONE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 4, 2018
I WAS TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL A REMEMBER WAS AVAILABLE BUT I'M PREGNANT AND NOW THESE ISSUES HAVE GOTTEN WORSE AND ARE MORE IMPERATIVE MY CAR IS NOW SMOKING AS I DRIVE THE POWER STEERING IS NOW AFFECTED I JUST PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IT STOPPED RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ALL ISSUES WHICH ARENT ACCEPTABLE PERIOD BUT ARE WORSE GIVEN MY CURRENT PHYSICAL STATE
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR ENTERING THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE WHILE WAITING FOR MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE DEALERS BMW OF BOWLING GREEN (325 THREE SPRINGS RD, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104, (270) 745-0001) AND BMW OF LOUISVILLE (4 AUTOCENTER DR., LOUISVILLE, KY 40299, (502) 287-1501) HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY PARTS WOULD BE PROVIDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY PARTS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE DEALERS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
Steering, Jan 28, 2018
CAR WAS DRIVING WHEN YELLOW STEERING COLUMN LOCK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON STREET. MALFUNCTION OF INTEGRAL LOCK SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN ELV ECU HARDWARE STEERING LOCK ERROR STEERING COLUMN LOCK YELLOW COLOR LEADS TO RED WHICH TOTALLY RENDERS CAR UNABLE TO START BMW HAS KNOW BULLETIN SIB-32-04-07
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 28, 2017
THE VEHICLE WON'T START, AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR INITIALLY, BUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I TESTED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY, BUT STILL NOT ABLE TO START OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO BE THE AN ISSUE WITH THE ELV LOCKING SYSTEM.
Steering, Oct 28, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP LIGHT COME ON AND LOCK UP SOME TIME.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 12, 2017
WHILE DRIVING CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY AND BRIEFLY EXPERIENCE FULL ELECTRONIC OUTAGE CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VEHICLE LIGHTS, AND ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK TO ENGAGE. AS SOON AS THE ELECTRONIC POWER RETURNS SERVICE LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD UNTIL I STOP, FULLY POWER OFF THE VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION BUTTON AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED AT DRIVING SPEEDS RANGING BETWEEN 15 AND 70 MPH, FORTUNATELY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. IF I OR ANYONE ELSE WOULD HAPPEN TO BE IN A TURN AND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGE THE RESULTS COULD POTENTIALLY BE LIFE THREATENING. THIS VEHICLE IS A PRIOR DEALER LEASE THEN SOLD TO A RENTAL COMPANY THEN PURCHASED BY ME. THE VEHICLE REMAINS UNMODIFIED AND HAS BEEB MAINTAINED AND SERVICED WITH ALL OEM OR EQUIVALENT PARTS.
Steering, Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 26, 2017
TENSION BELTS.OVER HEATING.ALIGNMENT.TRANSMISSION. I'VE LOST JOBS DUE TO THESE ISSUES THE CAR AGAIN IS BROKE
Steering, May 16, 2017
MY WIFE PARKED HER 2006 BMW 325I AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOOK MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR, MOVE THE CAR OR TAKE IT OUT OF PARK TO HAVE IT TOWED. THIS IS EITHER A BAD DESIGN BY BMW (IT ONLY HAPPENS IN 2006-7 MODELS) OR SAFETY DEFECT.
Steering, May 3, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR WONT START
Steering, Dec 8, 2016
THIS PAST WEEK A YELLOW PADLOCK POPPED UP ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR. UPON FUTURE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IT IS A FAULT WITH THE ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK. I HAVE YET TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ROUTE CAUSE YET BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND MANY CASES LEAD TO THE CAR NOT STARTING OR THE WHEELS LOCKING UP. THIS COULD COST UPWARDS OF $1500 TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. I AM AFRAID IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, IT COULD NOT ONLY PREVENT MY CAR FROM STARTING (AS IT HAS WITH MANY OTHER CASES), BUT COULD CAUSE MY STEERING TO LOCK UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN BARELY AFFORD TO FIX, BUT ABSOLUTELY CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
Steering, Jun 25, 2016
FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE ELV STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. I JUST PARKED MY CAR, TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND TOOK OUT THE KEY FOB. I NOTICED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER A PICTURE OF A STEERING WHEEL AND A PAD LOCK. SO I PUT THE KEY FOB BACK IN THE SLOT AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THEN TRYING COUPLE TIMES TAKING OUT & PUTTING THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION SLOT AND TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED.
Steering, Electrical system, May 23, 2016
ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND RENDERS THE CAR INCAPABLE OF STARTING. A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL ICON (OR RED IN SOME INSTANCES) APPEARS IN THE INFORMATIONAL PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACCOMPANYING ERROR CODE IS CC-ID 187. THIS CONDITION WHEN IT OCCURS, WILL NOT ENERGIZE (DISABLES) THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. DRIVERS WILL BECOME STRANDED WHEREVER THEY HAPPEN TO BE ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AS THE ERROR NOTIFICATION APPEARS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS SWITCHED OFF OR BACK ON. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR AND IDENTICAL CASES ON THE INTERNET WHEN PERFORMING A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Apr 26, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LIGHT COMES ON VEHICLE DOES NOT START STEERING WHEEL LOCKS I HEAR FROM A FORUM THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE CAN BE A REASON FOR A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Steering, Apr 26, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT IS ON ENGINE DOES NOT START STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE IS LOCK
Steering, Apr 15, 2016
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK.
Steering, Mar 10, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED RENDERING THE CAR UNSTARTABLE..CAR WAS PARKED WITH WHEELS FACING STRAIT AHEAD AND UPON RESTART THE LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION.
Steering, Engine, Nov 21, 2015
BELT TENSIONER BOLT BROKE OFF CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP OFF CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION YET BECAUSE CAR HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED AND IS IN REPAIR SHOP NOW. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AS WELL.
Steering, Nov 19, 2015
STEERING ENGINE LIGHT WARNING. STARTED WITH A SMALL RED LIGHT WHEN TURNING CAR OFF. THE FLASH OF RED WAS SO QUICK COULD NOT TELL WHAT SYMBOL IT WAS. THIS THEN TURNED INTO YELLOW WARNING WITH WRITTEN DESCRIPTION IN NAVIGATION/COMPUTER DISPLAY. STEERING ENGINE LOCK. TURN STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. DO NOT TURN CAR OFF WILL NOT RESTART. TOOK CAR IN TWICE NOT ANYTHING SHOWING ERROR OR PROBLEM. CALLED BMW N. AMERICA HAD NO IDEA WHAT THIS ILLUMINATED SYMBOL MEANT, CONNECTED ME TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD NO IDEA. TOWED TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER AND DRIVER). CAR HAS 44950 MILES. DEALER CALLED TODAY AND SAID STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE YELLOW ILLUMINATION STAYED ON WHEN CAR WAS STATIONARY, IN MOTION AND TURNING WHILE ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. RED ILLUMINATION CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 12, 2015
STEERING WHEEL LOCK PREVENTS THE STARTER FROM WORKING. THIS PREVENTS THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH WILL COST OVER ONE THOUSANDS DOLLARS. BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM