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.
Engine, Oct 11, 2015
NOTED VIBRATION WITH VEHICLE RUNNING IN GEAR WHEN STOPPED, DURING INSPECTION NOTED BOLTS ON RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN OFF FLUSH WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK, FOUND BOLT HEAD WITH ABOUT 1" OF THREADS LAYING ON TOP OF LOWER ENGINE COVER.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN WHICH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED AND THEN REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY REFUSED TO REMEDY THE REPAIR WITHOUT HAVING TO DO AN EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK AND AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED FOR AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR MONTHS WITH THE FAILURE PROGRESSING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Tires, Oct 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BEAT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA *JS
Steering, Oct 7, 2015
AFTER WORK YESTERDAY WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR, THE YELLOW LOCKED STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER I JERKED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR STARTED. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME, ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING LOCKED AGAIN AND THE RED LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS GOING ABOUT 75 MPH AT THIS TIME. I HIT THE CLUTCH AND BRAKES AND JERKED THE WHEEL AGAIN CAUSING IT TO RELEASE. LUCKILY IT WAS NOT RUSH HOUR. IT HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. IT HAS 114K MILES.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2015
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.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 29, 2015
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET AT RUSH HOUR. THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE MY WIFE HAD TO TAKE HER LIFE IN HER HANDS TO GET ACROSS THE BUSY STREET. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY FREEWAY OR SHE OR SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
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.
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
MY 2006 BMW 325I HAS DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS THAT CONTINUE TO COME UP AFTER MUCH TIME & EFFORT HAS BEEN SPENT TO GET THEM FIXED. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT, & THE FLAT TIRE MONITOR WARNING LIGHT HAVE CAUSED MUCH STRESS & FRUSTRATION DUE TO THE ISSUES NOT BEING ADDRESSED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS OTHER INDEPENDENT COMPANIES. I AM WORRIED THAT IF AN ACCIDENT DOES OCCUR THAT MY SAFETY WILL BE IN GREAT DANGER & THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY CAR OWNER UNDERSTANDS. I AM AT A LOSS AT THIS POINT & DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE TO SPEND COUNTLESS DOLLARS WHEN THE ENDS DO NOT JUSTIFY THE MEAN.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 4, 2015
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2006 BMW 325I WITH THE INTENTIONS OF LETTING MY DAUGHTER DRIVE IT, DUE TO THE HIGH SAFETY RATINGS OF THESE AUTOMOBILES. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT SOME ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AND SOME WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE WARNING LIGHTS, THE SERVICE WRITER OF THE DEALERSHIP IN MERIDIAN MS TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SEAT MAT WAS FAULTY. LATER I GOOGLED INFO ABOUT THE SEAT MAT, AND I CAME ACROSS A LINK THAT SHOWS MY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR. I CALLED NHTSC AND LEFT A MESSAGE ABOUT MY INQUIRY, AND I WAS CALLED BACK PROMPTLY BY MR. NATE HAYES. AFTER I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO MR. HAYES, HE DID SOME CHECKING AND FOUND THAT ALTHOUGH SOME 2006 325I'S WEREN'T RECALLED (THE ONES WITH MANUAL SEATS) MINE HOWEVER SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO HAVING THE ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTED SPORTS SEATS. MR. HAYES INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF MAYBE THIS WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE ON MY VEHICLE. UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP BACK, I WAS TOLD THAT IT HADN'T BEEN DONE, BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WASN'T IN THE RECALL. AFTER QUESTIONING HIM MORE ABOUT IT, HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ABLE TO FIND THAT BMW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR TO 15 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATIONS, IF THAT IS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT IF NOT, I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT THIS, IS THE FACT THAT BMW WAS MANDATED BY THE NHTSC TO RECALL A CERTAIN LIST OF AUTOMOBILES TO PREVENT INJURY, RATHER THAN WAIT TO SEE IF PROBLEMS OCCUR LATER THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I DON'T KNOW IF OTHERS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED WERE PUT OFF BY BMW OR NOT, BUT THIS COULD HAVE SOME DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2015
THE THERMOSTAT AND THE WATER PUMP BOTH WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AND WARNED WITH A YELLOW LIGHT, AFTER WHICH A RED LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 10 SECONDS OF THE YELLOW LIGHT BEING ON.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2015
VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH AUTOMATIC FOLDING REAR VIEW MIRRORS. WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT VIEW MIRROR FOLDED ITSELF IN THE MOST FORWARD POSITION. NOW THE DRIVER (ME) IS INABLE TO USE THE RIGHT VIEW MIRROR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES, BUT THEIR OWN SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MIRROR AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. THIS IS A HEFTY $750.00 CHARGE NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. BMW SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND FIX THE ISSUE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIAT INTERVENTION TO PREVENT AN AVOIDABLE ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Service brakes, Jul 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2015
I STARTED THE CAR AND GOT A 'PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE' MESSAGE. I'VE CHECKED MESSAGE BOARDS FOR BMW AND APPARENTLY THIS IS SOMETHING THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR A FEW YEARS BACK BUT NOW IT SHOWS 'NO RECALL' WHEN I TYPE IN MY VIN. ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE BOARDS, OTHERS WITH THE SAME MESSAGE WERE TOLD INITIALLY BY BMW THAT THIS WASN'T A RECALL BUT WHEN PUSHED WERE TOLD IT WAS AND IT WAS FIXED. I'M WONDERING ABOUT GETTING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE RECALLS FROM YOUR AGENCY BEFORE GOING TO ARGUE WITH THE BMW DEALERSHIP?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2015
ALL DOORS LOCK UP BUT ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE HAS A MANUAL OVERRIDE. PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF CRASH OR FIRE.
Air bags, Seats, Jun 23, 2015
A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY APPEARING. OWN RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT AS A RESULT OF THIS FAULT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON TO BMWS FROM AROUND THIS TIME AND A NON-DEPLOYING AIRBAG WOULD POSE A LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY RISK. BMW HAS AS YET APPARENTLY REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2015
CONSTANT OIL LEAKAGE UNDER VEHICLE, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIME I TRIED FIXING AND REPAIRING IT.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jun 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 8/19/15*CN
Air bags, Jun 3, 2015
HELLO, MY AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. ALTHOUGH MOST CARS MADE BY BMW DURING THIS YEAR HAVE A AIRBAG RECALL, MY CAR IS NOT PART OF IT AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO CONFIRM FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR ARE NOT ACTUALLY FAULTY.
Air bags, May 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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 RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Exterior lighting, May 29, 2015
SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE HEADLAMP, THE BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY PROJECT. MY SON HAS A 2009 7 SERIES WITH THIS PROBLEM. CARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.
Air bags, May 24, 2015
AIR BAG SENSOR IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT APPEARS TO BE FAILING. IT IS DISABLING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHILE THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, WITH THE SEATBELT BUCKLED. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS ITEM ON OTHER BMW 3-SERIES FOR MY MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, May 23, 2015
REAR EXTERIOR SAFETY LIGHTING DOES NOT WORK DUE TO DESIGN FLAW WHERE TRUNK LID BREAKS GROUND WIRES. RECALL ALREADY DONE ON OTHER MODEL YEARS. BMW SKIPPED RECALL ON 2006 E90S. MANY CONSUMERS ARE STILL HAVING THE SYSTEM SHORT DUE TO GROUND AND CRIMP ISSUES. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FIRES AND OR CRASHES