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, Jul 12, 2012
INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NOTED ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS BROKEN WHICH COULD CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. BROKEN BOLTS CAUSED OIL LEAK AND HEADS OF BOLTS COULD HAVE GONE INTO THE TIMING BELT DESTROYING THE ENGINE. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DIRECTED US TO THE DEALERSHIP STATING THEY HAD NOTED THIS ISSUES ON ALMOST ALL OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL. REPAIR COST WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 12, 2012
THE VEHICLES ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM HAS FAILED AND VEHICLE WILL NOT UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NOR START THE VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM IN PLACE. HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH MY SAME PARTICULAR MY (2006) CAN EASILY BE FOUND BY A SIMPLE SEARCH ON ANY GIVEN BMW BLOG/FORUM. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT HAD LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING?? NOT SAFE AT ALL AND WILL CERTAINLY TRY EVERYTHING I CAN TO RECOUP THE $1000+ I WILL BE SPENDING FROM BMW FOR THE LABOR/REPAIR THAT IT WILL COST TO HAVE THIS RIDICULOUS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR
Air bags, Jul 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Jul 7, 2012
BMW STEERING LOCK FAILURE I SHOULD BE REPLACE BY BMW BECAUSE ALL THIS MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM IS VERY UNSAFE BUT BMW DON'T WANT TO DO A RECALL IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Steering, Jul 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELV STEERING LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,334.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Air bags, Jun 21, 2012
WARNING LIGHT THAT AIR BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING COMES ON. DEALER FOUND A FAULT IN THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT SENSOR (PART OF THE SEAT MOTOR). SAID SEAT MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME FAULT OTHERS ARE REPORTING THAT WAS COVERED FOR SOME SERIES 3 MODELS BY A NHTSA RECALL. THE DEALER MADE NO MENTION OF A RECALL. I HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIR DONE. *TT
Air bags, Jun 21, 2012
OUR VEHICLE FAILS TO DETECT PASSENGERS AND THE AIRBAG TURNS OFF. WE WERE TOLD BY BMW INITIALLY THAT OUR PASSENGERS WERE TOO LIGHT, HOWEVER, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ITEM HAS BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BECAUSE THE SEAT SHOULD DETECT PASSENGERS OVER 90 LBS, I WEIGH 115 LBS. ANYWAY, WHEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY SAID OUR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NHTSA RELIES ON THE MANUFACTURER TO INCLUDE VIN'S IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHICH IS SO WELL DOCUMENTED. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE NOT SOLD THE VEHICLE. *TT
Air bags, Jun 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED AND LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAG FRONTAL). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Steering, Jun 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED,THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Air bags, Jun 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MAT SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT THE EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT WOULD NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 8/8/12* CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE DISCOVERED RECALL # 08V384000. HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 08/14/12
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 1, 2012
DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED AND DRIVER BECAME LOCKED IN CAR. DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED INSIDE THE CAR WITH KEYS, INTERNAL BUTTONS, OR DOOR HANDLES. *TR
Air bags, May 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER FRONT SENSOR MAT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/29/12 *BF UPDATED 07/09/12
Air bags, May 25, 2012
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED GOING ON AND OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS AND IS NOT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEFECT IS CLEARLY THE SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE CITED. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND LIKE MANY OTHERS, I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $125 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND $1500-1700 (ESTIMATE) TO REPLACE THE SEAT MAT. ALL THE COST IS WAS GOING TO BE THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. MILEAGE IS CURRENTLY 71K. I'M HOPEFUL THIS COMPLIANT HELPS PUSH THE NHTSA AND BMW TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO ALL 2006 325I MODELS SO OWNERS DON'T HAVE TO ABSORB THE HIGH COST OF A SERIOUS SAFETY AND DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Electrical system, May 20, 2012
DOOR LOCKS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, EITHER WHEN ACTIVATED VIA THE KEY FOB OR THE INTERNAL DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON. DOORS ARE UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE. PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENS. *TR
Air bags, May 17, 2012
MY CAR DISPLAYS EXACT SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 WHICH IS A PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. I CALLED BMW NA TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE BMW IS DENYING THIS RECALL TO MOST OF THE OWNERS HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT MANY MORE CARS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE THEN ORIGINALLY DETERMINED BY BMW AND NHTSA. *TR
Electrical system, May 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 76 MPH. AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 11, 2012
ON MAY 2ND, DURING A RAIN STORM, OUR 2006 BMW 3 SERIES' WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME SAFELY AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED OUR SERVICE CENTER, AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE SERVICE CENTER'S OWNER/MECHANIC INFORMED US, THAT THERE WERE 3 OTHER 06 3 SERIES IN FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE INVOICE READS; WORK REQUESTED- DIAG WIPERS INOP, WORK PERFORMED- REPLACE JBE CONT MODULE(PART# 63 21 5 897 528). A CALL WAS MADE TO BMW, USA ON MAY 11TH AND BMW DOES NOT HAVE, TO DATE, AN OPEN RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DISCONCERTING, SINCE A SMALL SERVICE CENTER IN THE SMALL TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER, MA. HAD 4(INCLUDING OURS) 06 BMW 3 SERIES IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND ON THE SAME DATE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR USING THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR WITH THE HANDLE AND WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON ALL OTHER DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS ON ALL DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,700. UPDATED 05/31/12 *BF THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ACTUATORS. A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE FAILED AND THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT WORK. THE KEY ONLY WORKED IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR.
Steering, Electrical system, May 7, 2012
I HAVE AN AMBER COLORED STEERING WHEEL LOCK ICON ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THIS WILL LOCK UP THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOLD THEM IF THAT'S THE CASE THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE. HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE FILES A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BMW NA. *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD SHUT OFF WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, May 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE VEHICLE DOORS, OTHER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE, BY USING THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE LOCK MECHANISMS WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SENSOR WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH AS A RESULT BOTH THE LOCK MECHANISM AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE FUEL DOOR, RENDERING HIM UNABLE TO FUEL THE CAR. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS
Air bags, Apr 30, 2012
MY BMW 2006 330I HAS A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. WHETHER SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2006 BMW 3 SERIES (AND OTHER SERIES) FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT BMW STATES THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR, SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF 2007/2008. *JS
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 30, 2012
NUMBER OF DEATHS? NONE YET, BUT TBD FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION. 2006 BMW 325I DOORS LOCKS FAIL TO OPEN, AND ALL INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES ARE INOPERATIVE. ALL DOORS ARE INOPERATIVE IF ONE FUSE (#57) FAILS OR IF THE BATTERY FAILS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY. IF THERE IS A CRASH OR FIRE, PEOPLE CAN DIE INSIDE THE VEHICLE IF THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED. WHEN THIS FUSE FAILS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES DON'T FUNCTION. THE ONLY WAY TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE VEHICLE IS TO REMOVE THE HIDDEN KEY FROM THE FOB, OPEN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THAT WILL ALLOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO OPEN BUT NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS WILL OPEN. IS THIS ALLOWABLE UNDER NHTSA SAFETY REGULATIONS? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT IS. THIS IS NOT AN OBSCURE OCCURRENCE EITHER. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR A FEW TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON BMW OWNER'S FORUMS AND ON NHTSA COMPLAINT FORMS. LINKS BELOW: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/BMW/3_SERIES/LATCHES_LOCKS_LINKAGES/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-342620.HTML *JS