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, Nov 4, 2013
MY CAR STARTED HAVING A MASSIVE OIL LEAK AT AROUND 79,000 MILES. THE MOTOR SEALS STARTED TO FAIL ONCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT THE MOTOR SEALS ARE VERY COMMON TO PREMATURELY FAIL. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE MOTOR TOGETHER STARTED TO BREAK AT AROUND 80,000 MILES. *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2013
MY LIGHTS COMES ON FOR AIRBAG PASSENGER SEAT. I SAW THAT NHTSA HAS CAMPAIGN # 08V-384 FOR THIS MATTER. IF THE DEALER REFUSE TO HONOR IT, HOW I PROCEED AFTER THAT. THE AIR BAGS DON'T WORKS WITH THAT LIGHT ON. I HAVE MY DAUGHTER WITH ME ALL THE TIME,TO AND FROM THE SCHOOL. THANKS. *TR
Air bags, Oct 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 22, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ERROR CONSISTENT WITH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE MAT RECALL NOTICE. BMW ONLINE RECALL CHECK REVEALED THAT THIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EITHER. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE AND WILL NOT TELL ME IF THE AIR BAG WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Oct 21, 2013
WHEN A PERSON SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG LIGHT LIGHTS UP. ALSO THE CEILING MOUNTED WARNING LIGHT LIGHTS UP, STATING, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF." MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND HAD A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Steering, Oct 21, 2013
I WOKE UP ONE MORNING TO START MY VEHICLE AND AS I STARTED MY ENGINE I RECEIVED A WARNING SIGN. THE WARNING SIGN INDICATED A CIRCLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. I THEN NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS, LEAVING MY CAR IN PARK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE MY CAR DIAGNOSED AND THEY MENTIONED THAT MY STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A WEEK I WENT TO GET MY CAR FROM THE DEALER I WAS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. I THEN TOOK THIS ISSUE UP WITH MY DEALER AND WARRANTY WHERE THEY WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE. I KEPT GETTING A RUN AROUND AND THE GENERAL MANAGER WHERE I GOT MY AT FROM TRIED TO HELP. HIS ASSISTANCE WITH MY CAR FAILED. HE COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THAT MY CAR WAS GIVEN. HE THEN RETURNED MY CAR AND MY CAR STILL HAS THIS ISSUE. I HAD MY CAR FOR ONLY A MONTH WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. *TR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 21, 2013
THE REAR DOOR LOCK IS NOT WORKING - THE HANDLES DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE - THE LOCK ACTUATOR IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE ACTUATORS REPLACED. BMW WILL NOT FIX THE ACTUATORS EVEN THOUGH THE PART HAS BEEN CHANGED OUT BEFORE, IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND THE ACTUATORS HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED TWO TIMES BY BMW. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOORS IN THE VEHICLE WERE LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC LOCK SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 15, 2013
BATTERY WAS LOW AND WOULDN'T START JUMP STARTED THE CAR AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT TENSIONER IS BAD. HAS A SEAT BELT WITH AIRBAG SYMBOL ON THE DASH...PLUS THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING A SYMBOL WITH A STEERING WHEEL WITH ARROWS THEN THE CAR WON'T START UNTIL I SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES...WAS STRANDED FOR HOURS THEN FINALLY IT STARTED. BMW HAS VERY LOW QUALITY AND PROBLEMS. THIS IS BECOMING VERY UNSAFE AND NOT SURE IF I WANT MY FAMILY IN THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 7, 2013
PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. KNOWN RECALL AFFECTING MODEL YEAR AND PRODUCTION DATE. WAS TOLD BY BMW THAT MY CAR DID NOT APPLY BUT COULD NOT TELL ME WHY. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 19, 2013
HAS AN AIRBAG/SEAT BELT LIGHT ELIMINATED ON THE DASH. BMW HAS DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. 2006 330I SPORTS SEATS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ITEM IN 2008. BMW RECALL ID # 57362 - AIR BAGS: FRONTAL RECALL DATE AUG 05, 2008 RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2008 MODEL AFFECTED: 2006 BMW 3-SERIES SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCES: 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. REMEDY: 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. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 200000 NOTES: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. UPDATED 07/30/13*LJ *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 15, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE, TRYING TO PASS A CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE. AFTER GETTING IN FRONT OF THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE SO I COULD RE-ENTER THE MIDDLE LANE, BUT THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE GROWLED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. IT KEPT DRIVING, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, DESPITE ME STEPPING HARDER ON THE GAS. THIS WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE WAS A CAR IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME, WHICH COULD HAVE REAR ENDED ME AT OVER 60MPH, AND THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE THAT I WAS TRYING TO PASS COULD HAVE ALSO HIT ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. IN RESEARCHING THIS, MANY BMW OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, AND YET BMW HAS NOT ISSUED AN INVESTIGATION OR RECALL: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML THERE ARE 650 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AT THE ABOVE LINK. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS UNDER 75K MILES. *TR
Air bags, Sep 15, 2013
PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING WILL ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, WITH OR WITHOUT THE PASSENGER SEAT BEING OCCUPIED. BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WILL GO AWAY AND MAY OR MAY NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN OCTOBER OF 2012, THE INDICATOR WOULD APPEAR AND GO AWAY AND WOULD NOT COME BACK FOR MAYBE TWO OR THREE MONTH OF DRIVING. NOW, APPROXIMATE A YEAR LATER THE SYSTEM WILL ILLUMINATE, WHEN NO ONE IS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT, OR ON START OF THE VEHICLE, OR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATE A 1/4 MILE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A LATENT SAFETY DEFECT FOR THE AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM IN THIS CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Wheels, Sep 12, 2013
AFTER PUSHING THE START BUTTON I GET THIS MESSAGE (NOT AN ERROR, A MESSAGE): "ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MAY PREVENT ENGINE STARTING. MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT ENGINE CAN BE STARTED." SO THE WHEEL LOCKS ITSELF ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR FOR NO REASON. NOW DEALER IS SUGGESTING TO CHANGING A PART AND SOME OTHER DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. UNBELIEVABLE. BMW DOESN'T EVEN KNOW THE REASON OF THIS ISSUE.. *TR
Steering, Sep 11, 2013
RECEIVED YELLOW STEERING WHEEL AND LOCK ICON WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. ATTEMPTED USING DIFFERENT KEYS, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED IMMOBILE. I EXITED THE CAR AND WAITED ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO TRY AGAIN, BUT RECEIVED YELLOW STEERING WHEEL WITH LOCK ICON AGAIN WHEN PUTTING THE KEY FOB INTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS QUOTED ABOUT $1200 AS SOON AS I DESCRIBED THE YELLOW STEERING WHEEL AND LOCK, WITHOUT THEM HAVING SEEN THE VEHICLE. THE SA ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE NEWER MODELS DON'T EVEN HAVE THIS FEATURE AT ALL. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT A BMW RESPONSIBILITY OR DEFECT, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SHOP REPAIRS AND TIME. DOING RESEARCH ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO POOR DESIGN BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURER, SO MUCH SO THAT THE "FEATURE" ISN'T EVEN INCLUDED ON NEWER MODELS OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL. *TR
Air bags, Sep 10, 2013
AIR BAG LIGHT ON BMW DON'T RECOGNIZE THE RECALL ON 2006 BMW 325I I PAID FOR DIAGNOSE AND THEY DON'T WANT TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 1, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ERROR CONSISTENT WITH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE MAT RECALL NOTICE. BMW ONLINE RECALL CHECK REVEALED THAT THIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JS
Air bags, Aug 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Air bags, Aug 29, 2013
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT AS THE CAUSE. FAILURE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FAILURES HIGHLIGHTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 08V384000. BMW NORTH AMERICA POSITION IS THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE (VIN) IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS VERY TROUBLING. THERE IS A KNOWN FAILURE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A SAFETY RECALL, HOWEVER THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE ACTUAL VEHICLES THAT WILL EXPERIENCE THIS FAILURE. RESEARCH ON THIS SITE (AND OTHERS) CONFIRMS THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM AFFECTING SEVERAL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS OF BMW VEHICLES. LEFT UNFIXED, A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT WILL NOT HAVE THE SAFETY BENEFITS OF AN OPERABLE AIRBAG AND THIS COULD RESULT IN UNECESSARY SERIOUS INJURY. MY REQUEST IS FOR THE NHTSA AND BMW TO EXPAND THE SAFETY RECALL TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES EXHIBITING THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT AND RECTIFY THE POSSIBLE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS THIS FAILURE PRESENTS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 26, 2013
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 325I THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND FROM WHAT I THINK IT IS THE BREATHER PIPE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS WILL GENERATE A SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKE EXPLODING OR ANY TYPE OF FIRE PROBLEM. THERE IS A PUDDLE OF FUEL EVERY TIME I PARK MY CAR. THE FUEL LEAK IS ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL IS ASCENDING. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW,AND EVEN THOUGH MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD AND MUST COVER THIS SAFETY CONCERN BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2013
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH A CURRENT PROBLEM INVOLVING OUR 2004 BMW 325 CI (CONVERTIBLE) AND THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR. OUR VEHICLE ID IS PL32177. THE MIRROR HAS LEAKED RELEASING THE CORROSIVE ACIDIC MATERIAL USED IN THE MIRROR. IN 2004 THE BMW TECHNOLOGY BOOKLET HI-LIGHTED THE AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR ADVANTAGE, "INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FREES YOU FROM HAVING TO REACH UP AND RESET THE MIRROR'S DIMMING MODE MANUALLY.......REPRESENTS YET ANOTHER CONTRIBUTION TO DRIVING SAFETY". I NOW UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO FAR TOO MANY BMW OWNERS AND THAT BMW IS NOT STANDING BEHIND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO DRIVING SAFETY. WHY WASN'T A RECALL MADE WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED. THE CORROSIVE MATERIAL LEAKED ONTO THE PASSENGER LEATHER BUCKET SEAT AND THE CENTER CONSOLE EATING AWAY THE MATERIAL. OUR BMW DEALER, ROCKVILLE BMW, WANTS TO CHARGE $585 TO REPLACE THE MIRROR, $200 TO REPLACE THE CONSOLE AREA AND THEN GAVE US A PHONE NUMBER FOR SOMEONE IN VIRGINIA TO DISCUSS FIXING THE LEATHER BUCKET SEAT. WE LOVE OUR BMW, (EVEN HAVE A SECOND 2010 BMW 325XI) AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. BMW HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND NEVER NOTIFIED CAR OWNERS THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE WHEN IT OCCURS. THE CAR BARELY HAS 39,000 MILES, IS GARAGE KEPT AND WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2004. THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR IS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT BLURS EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Aug 21, 2013
MALFUNCTION OF INTEGRAL LOCK SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN NECESSITATES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AT COST OF $1300. THIS IS THE SECOND REPLACEMENT IN THIS VEHICLE, THE FIRST FAILED AT 80,000 MILES. SAME ISSUE WITH 2006 325I MODEL AT 90,000 MILES. UNDERSTAND THAT ELECTRONIC SENSORS WILL ALWAYS WEAR OUT AND FAIL BUT THIS IS DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING. THE SENSOR SHOULD BE A SEPARATE PART ANTICIPATING THE NEED TO REPLACE IT FROM TIME TO TIME. WOULD EXPECT MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND MORE CONSIDERATION FOR THE PAYING CUSTOMER FROM GERMAN ENGINEERING. *TR
Air bags, Aug 20, 2013
FRONTAL AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ON. THERE WERE A RECALL FOR #08V384000. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE NORTH CAROLINA AG OFFICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Aug 19, 2013
SINCE SEPT 2011, WHILE DRIVING WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER, THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON-OFF LAMP ARE ILLUMINATED. IT GOES OFF ON ITS OWN, BUT RETURNS SPONTANEOUSLY. AT FIRST OUR DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEN WHEN IT KEPT HAPPENING THEY SAID WE COULD GET IT REPAIRED. PER SAFER.GOV WEBSITE A RECALL WAS GIVEN IN JULY 2009 WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE BMW OF NO AMERICA, OUR CAR WAS NOT AMONG THE CARS RECALLED. YET WE HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THEY WANT TO CHARGE US OVER $1100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, YET THERE WAS A RECALL OUT ON "SOME SERIES 3 MODELS". HOW CAN I BE SURE SOME OTHER 2006 SERIES 3 MODELS ARE NOT OVER LOOKED? THIS MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH PASSENGERS AND I DON'T FEEL IF SOME ARE DEFECTIVE, THAT OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE CONSIDERED THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY. I THINK THEY SHOULD ALSO BE UNDER THE SAME RECALL GUIDELINES WHEN THE SAME EXACT ISSUE HAS BEEN SITED AND IS HAPPENING IN OTHER CARS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 15, 2013
STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND LOCKED THE DOOR AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR LOCKS DIDN'T OPEN WHEN TRYING TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE. THE DOOR FUSE AND ACTUATOR BLEW UP. OPENED THE DOOR WITH THE KEY AND SAT INSIDE THE CAR. THE DOORS LOCKED AND THEN COULDN'T UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *TR