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
1,243 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Sep 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2016
RECALL CAMPAIGN NO 16V-071: DRIVERS FRONT AIR BAG MODULE. BMW STATES THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF MARCH 2016. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DAILY, COMMUTE TO WORK, AND DRIVE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, DAILY.
Engine, Sep 12, 2016
MY 2006 BMW 325I LEAKS OIL. THE MANUFACTURER BOLTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THERE ARE OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. I'M CONCERNED MY CAR MY CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE OIL LEAKS
Air bags, Sep 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL IN FEB. 2016 FOR DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG. TO DATE, NEITHER MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER HAS ANY IDEA WHEN THEY WILL HAVE THE PARTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MEANTIME, THIS IS MY SOLE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, AND I AM IN DANGER EVERY DAY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS BMW HAS 60 DAYS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS WAY BEYOND REASONABLE AT THIS POINT.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TEN YEAR WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. FLAMES APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE HAND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Air bags, Aug 20, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THIS IS TAKING WAY TOO LONG TO RESOLVE FOR AFFECTED BMW VEHICLES.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2016
INITITAL RECALL WAS ISSUED OVER 6 MONTHS AGO AND THE PARTS NECESSARY FOR REPAIR ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V564000 AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2016
INTTELECTUAL PROPERTY 200.448 FEDERAL AWARD AND SEARCH OF SEARCHING ART FOR SUCH DISCLOSURE
Air bags, Aug 10, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DISPLAY ON.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2016
PASSENGER SEAT MAT IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE FAILURES WHICH DISABLES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE EXACT ISSUE FOR MY YEAR, MODEL, AND OPTIONS AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN RECALLED, YET MY 2006 BMW 325I WITH SPORT SEATS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECAL LISTED BELOW. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 I BELIEVE THAT MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL NUMBER.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL"
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, Aug 2, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V318. VEHICLE BMW 330CI 2006 DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG. ON JUNE 17, 2015 I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP, JACKIE COOPER BMW IN EDMOND, OK, PHONE NUMBER (405) 755-3600 AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PURSUANT TO BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V-428. HOWEVER, AT THAT TIME THEY SAID "WE DON'T HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. AS OF AUGUST 2, 2016, THIS DEALERSHIP (A BMW DEALERSHIP) IS STILL TELLING ME "WE DON'T HAVE THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG AND DON'T KNOW WHEN WE CAN GET IT. SORRY." THEY ARE OFFERING NO FURTHER EXPLANATION OR REFERRAL TO ANOTHER SOURCE TO GET THIS AIR BAG REPLACED. I HAVE UPLOADED A COPY OF MY REGISTRATION.
Engine, Jul 27, 2016
ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING OIL AND OIL FILTER HOUSING LEAKING OIL SINCE LAST YEAR.
Engine, Jul 27, 2016
THERE IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURER DEFECT CONCERNING THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND CYLINDER HEAD ON THE BMW 2006 325I'S. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SINCE DISCOVERING THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. BMWNA HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE ISSUES RELATED TO THESE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM BOLTS. THEY HAVE ALL OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THE BOLTS IN QUESTION WERE DEFECTIVE IN NATURE AND PRODUCTION, AND THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURES. SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS INCLUDED, AND RESULTED IN, VEHICLES LEAKING OIL IN THE ENGINE AREA CAUSING FIRES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS POSE A SERIOUS POTENTIAL RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO SHARE THE ROADWAY WITH THEM. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT THIS TYPE OF PUBLIC SAFETY RISK CANNOT GO ON ANY FURTHER WITHOUT PROPER INTERVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WE EMPLOY AS TAXPAYERS. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE BMW 2006 325I'S AFFECTED BY THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM NOT PRIVY TO WHAT CONSTITUTES A VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS TO REACH A "RECALL STATUS".I HAVE DILIGENTLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE SERVICE MANUALS, AS WELL AS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. MY CONTENTION IS EXTREMELY CLEAR; THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! PLEASE FIX THEM ALL AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *CN
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2016
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC LOCK OUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT PREVENT THE STEERING FROM UNLOCKING AS THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE. THE CODE READ OUT TO BE A115 OR A116. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT BEEN ASKED BY NHTSA TO RECALL. PLEASE WORKS WITH BMW TO REMEDY THIS FAULTY ON THEIR DESIGN. THE FOLLOWING DESIGN WAS REMOVED FROM STEERING COLUMN AS BMW KNOWN THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM START. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND REFUSES TO RELEASE THE STEERING COLUMN.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD BE SENDING INTERIM NOTIFICATIONS NEXT MONTH REGARDING THE PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/17
Engine, Jul 18, 2016
I AM YET ANOTHER BMW OWNER REPORTING VALVE VMCOVER GASKET ISSUES. BMW IS NOT BEING MADE TO RECALL THIS PART. ALUMINUM BOLTS THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED AND WERE LATER REPLACED GOING FORWARD BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN FINANCIALLY FOR COUNTLESS OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD TO GET THESE FIXED, AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS LEAKING OIL COULD CAUSE ENGINE FIRES. MAKE THIS RIGHT NHTSA BY HOLDING BMW RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WELL AWARE OF FOR TEN YEARS.
Air bags, Jul 13, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MY PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. MY CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION.
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, Jul 6, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG RECALL IN JULY 2015, HAVE CONTINUED TO CALL OVER THE PAST YEAR AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL. DEALERSHIP IS THOMPSON BMW DOYLESTOWN PA.