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, Dec 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 8, 2014
ERROR MESSAGE "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FOR MODELS UP TO 2005, AND SELECTIVELY FOR 2006, PER BMW. *TR
Air bags, Dec 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO STATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 26, 2014
VEHICLE HAD A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL AND LOCK DISPLAY ON THE DASH WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR IN EVERY POSSIBLY WAY, IT STILL DID NOT START. PUT KEY IN, PULLED IT OUT MULTIPLE TIMES; LOCKED CAR, UNLOCKED CAR; WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR (PUSH START). NOTICED WHEN KEY IS PUSHED INTO KEY HOLE, IT LATCHES, BUT DOES NOT GIVE ANY ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE CAR, OR RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. CAR HAS NO POWER TO OTHER FUNCTIONS IN CAR. CAR CAN'T BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO MOVE CAR. THE CAR IS PRETTY MUCH UNUSABLE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 24, 2014
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND AFTER MY RESEARCH FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE AS THEY CLAIM THAT THE VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT IS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL...WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS VEHICLE UNDER THIS RECALL? IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. *TR
Air bags, Nov 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V4280000 (AIR BAGS).THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. 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 RESONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2014
COOLANT LEAKING FROM RESERVOIR TANK. A COMMON ISSUE AMONG BMWS- AND IS CURRENTLY EFFECTING MY 330XI 2006. THE EXPANSION TANK IS FAULTY AND WONDERING IF THE TANK AND HOSES ARE TESTED TO EVEN WITHSTAND THE "BMW BRAND" NAME COOLANT. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2014
CAR HAS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, USES A FOB. PARKED THE CAR, LOCKED THE DOORS WITH THE FOB. WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE FOB, IT ONLY CLICKS - DID NOT UNLOCK. USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS DOOR, BUT FOUND THAT ONCE LOCKED, NO DOORS WILL UNLOCK, NOT EVEN MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK IS THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND THEN ONLY WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POST THAT POPS UP AND DOWN TO INDICATE THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL UP, AND PULLING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOTHING. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD REDESIGN THE LOCKS SO THAT THEY CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE MANUALLY IN CASE OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE!!!! *TR
Power train, Nov 14, 2014, crash
VEHICLE ROLLED ON FLAT SURFACE WHILE IN PARK. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 12, 2014
THE CAR FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN USING THE CENTRAL BUTTON IN THE CAR OR THE HAND HELD DEVICE. ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE OPENED MECHANICALLY AND THE LOCKS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE TO PULL UP ON THE OTHER 3 DOORS. MY CHILDREN HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE DRIVERS DOOR OR WINDOWS. RESEARCH ON THE WEB IS INDICATING A BAD FUSE CAN CAUSE THIS OR ACTUATORS IN THE DOORS. SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IF EVERYONE CAN'T EXIT THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE OF A BLOWN FUSE? *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 330I WITH MY WIFE IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND THE SPEED WAS AT 45 MPH. CALLED BMW BUT THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY BMW TO THE DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE. SAFETY RECALLS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. THIS WORRIES ME BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES A 2006 BMW Z4. I THINK THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO MORE VEHICLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2014
WIRING INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS FAILING DUE TO INSULATION THAT IS DISINTEGRATING. THIS IS RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITS THAT PREVENT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS FROM WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Nov 7, 2014
AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN (SEE BELOW) FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS, YET APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN. THE DISABLED PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND CLEARLY MY VIN SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008 TODAY, BMW ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. AFFECTED ARE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 3-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-06 5-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES, DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. BMW HAS FOUND THAT THE SENSOR MAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE USAGE DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT. *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2014
STEERING LOCKS UP. *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
STARTED CAR APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS AGO AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR. WHILE THE CURRENT RECALL DESCRIBES THE SAME ISSUES, THE VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN . *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM I'M MY BMW FAILED TO WORK AND HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS MADE. AIRBAGS STILL DISABLED, BMW WON'T FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 12/9/14*CN UPDATE 06/1/2015 *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 23, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, MODEL AND YEAR ID FOR RECALL, BUT NOT ID UNDER VIN NUMBER. *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2014
PASSENGER SAT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF. WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS BECAUSE OF A BAD SENSOR MAT FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL BUT NOT MY CAR SPECIFIC.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE SENSOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ERROR AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V348000 (AIR BAGS), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 11, 2014
I ONLY HAVE 65K MILES ON MY BMW 325I 2006 IT AND MOSTLY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS. A FEW DAYS BACK MY BMW WOULDN'T START WITHOUT ANY RHYME OR REASON. IT HAD A RED STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT ON AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE BOOK DIDN'T HAVE ANY INSTRUCTIONS EITHER BUT TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALERSHIPS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE ALSO HELPLESS AND HAD NO IDEA. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. ULTIMATELY DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS SOME MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SOUNDED CRAZY AS MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WITH ANY ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A CAR WITH ONLY 65K MILES NEEDS A WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. IT COST ME ~$1500 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. ON SEARCHING GOOGLE IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME MANUFACTURING ISSUE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JAM AND CUSTOMERS NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. I EMAILED AND CALLED THE BMW SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION AND TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IF I WISH TO DO SO. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN START UNTIL THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IS REPLACED. PLEASE TELL BMW TO OWN THE MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND STOP CHEATING NAIVE CUSTOMERS. *TR