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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 30, 2012
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH CENTER CONSOLE DOOR LOCK, NOR THE KEY FOB. CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED VIA MANUAL KEY. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 25, 2012
WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT BOTH QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. CAUSING ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. COULD OF CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO SHOULDER. NOTE: CAR HAS NO OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2012
ENGINE BOLTS HAVE SHEERED OFF AT THREE DIFFERENT MILEAGES: 71,369, 115,162 AND 134,835. ALL TIMES THEY HAVE CREATED OIL LEAKS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE OVERHEATING. ALSO THE SHEERED BOLTS COULD OF GOTTEN LODGED IN THE DRIVE BELT CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING (ALTHOUGH LUCKILY DID NOT HAPPEN). ALL SHEERED BOLTS COST UPWARDS OF $1000 PER REPAIR TO REPLACE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Apr 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF CLOTH DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DS OR MANUAL, ONLY DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 21, 2012
REMOTE DOOR LOCK NOR UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE VEHICLE WOULD UNLOCK PASSENGER DOORS. PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE PULLING/USING THE DOOR HANDLE. *JS
Air bags, Apr 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO DEACTIVATE WITH A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL RANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,105. UPDATED 06/06/2012 *JS
Air bags, Apr 18, 2012
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED. MOST 2006 BMW 3 SERIES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JS
Air bags, Seats, Apr 11, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 DOES NOT COVER THIS PARTICULAR VIN VEHICLE, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD. I HAVE SAME SYMPTOMS AND THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT. *TR
Air bags, Apr 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Steering, Apr 2, 2012
AS MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED, MY CAR NOW HAS A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL ICON WITH A LOCK. I HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL A FEW TIMES IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO UNLOCK AND START. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS I HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR ONCE THE ICON TURNS FROM YELLOW TO RED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO BMW AND THEY HAVE DISCONTINUED USE OF THIS ELECTRONIC LOCK IN THEIR 2007+ CARS. WHY WON'T BMW ADMIT THAT THEIR IS AN ISSUE AND FIX IT? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY $500+ TO FIX SOMETHING THEY'VE KNOWN WAS BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
Steering, Mar 29, 2012
VEHICLE HAS BEEN FAILING TO START AND DISPLAYING A ELV STEERING COLUMN LOCK. PROBLEM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME AND GO. IT HAS NOW RESULTED IN A TOTAL FAILURE AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START OR RESPOND. PROBLEM IS EITHER WITH BMW SOFTWARE OR STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTION WHICH HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED BY BMW SO THEY WON'T WARRANTY PROBLEM. *JS
Air bags, Mar 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,500.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 28, 2012
WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF STEERING IN LOCK POSITION. AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT ERROR (RED ICON) IN PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 27, 2012
AFTER A RECALL ON MY (SPORT) SEATS WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER, THE SEATBELT WARNING CHIME SOUNDS WHEN THERE IS NO ONE OR NOTHING IN THE SEAT. IT NEVER DID THIS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CHIME TO STOP IS TO BUCKLE THE PASSENGER BELT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 16, 2012
FAILURE OF SRS SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM WHICH DEACTIVATES PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE PASSENGER IS NO LONGER PROTECTED. FAILURE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANT. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED 2011 AND DEALER AND BMW MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR AS VEHICLE FALLS OUTSIDE THEIR RECALL VINS. THIS PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY PROBLEM AND ONE IN WHICH THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS IS A PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 16, 2012
VEHICLE LOCKS DO NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCK OR LOCK COMMAND FROM KEY FOB OR FROM CAR UNLOCK/LOCK SWITCH. HAZARDOUS PROBLEM, POTENTIAL LIFE RISK FOR CHILDREN. *TR
Air bags, Mar 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 6, 2012
WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS LIT, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO MICRO-CRACKING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT, HOWEVER BMW ONLY INCLUDES A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF AFFECTED CARS IN THE 2008 RECALL. BMW NA REFUSES TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT FOR ALL 2006 BUILD YEAR 330I MODELS WITH SPORT SEATS. THE SAME SEATS WHICH ARE AFFECTED BY THE IDENTICAL ISSUE FOR 2005 BUILD YEAR. IT SEEMS GIVEN THE NUMBER OF CARS AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED FOR THE 2006 BUILD YEAR. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING IN A COLLISION WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 5, 2012
THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT) HAS FAILED. THIS ISSUE, AS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL BELOW (4.), INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT OF CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES, AND HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA PE07-045 AND EA08-001. IN SHORT, A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAT CAN OCCUR AND WOULD CONSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WITH EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WOULD ILLUMINATE IN SUCH CASE. BMW STATES THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL SINCE IT WAS PRODUCED AFTER 11/2005. YET, THE PROGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS OF THE RECALL. *TR
Steering, Feb 29, 2012
THE CAR CONSTANTLY DISPLAYS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK ICON WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY DRIVERS AND IT CAN BE FATAL IF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED AND ONLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,220 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,225. THE DEALER INSTALLED TWO NEW LATCHES AND A HIGHER AMP FUSE. TO THE FRONT DOORS.
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT BOTH THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DETECTED THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Feb 23, 2012
RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION THE CAR WON'T START DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION I HAVE TOO GET IT TOWED DOWN TO THE DEALER. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Feb 22, 2012
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MODULE IS FAULTY IN OUR CAR. IT WAS OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED BY A BMW DEALER ON 20 FEB 2012. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT OUR CAR'S PRODUCTION TIME FALLS 1 MONTH OUT OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL ON THESE SAME PARTS (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA080001). BMW IS REFUSING TO FIX IT. *TR