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.
Steering, Feb 19, 2012
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILURE PREVENTS STARTING THE CAR. *TR
Air bags, Feb 17, 2012
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON, INDICATING MALFUNCTION ON PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WELL KNOWN WITH BMW CAR AND A RECALL WAS ALREADY MADE. I DON'T KNOW WHY 3 SERIES MODELS WITH SPORT SEAT ARE NOT IN THIS RECALL. ONLINE YOU CAN EASILY FIND OUT OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING, BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THANKS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 17, 2012
AIR BAG SIGN KEEPS GOING ON/OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL 08V-384 BUT BMW IS SAYING MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE BUILD WINDOW. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001). *TR
Air bags, Feb 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DETECTION MAT MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DETECTION MAT DID NOT IDENTIFY A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Feb 16, 2012
STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN RED ON DASH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2006 325I SERIES. BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THIS TYPE OF STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHEN BUILDING THEIR 2007 VEHICLES BECAUSE ITS AN ISSUE. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED AND WHY HASNT ANYONE TAKEN ACTION ON THE INCIDENT? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2012
BROKEN HEAD BOLTS AND BLOWN HEAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2012
THE HEAD BOLTS ARE CRACKED/BROKEN AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. *TR
Air bags, Feb 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Air bags, Feb 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NO LONGER RECOGNIZED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED WHEN PASSENGERS WERE NOT SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Steering, Feb 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DRIVER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 13, 2012
DOOR ACTUATOR HAS FAILED TO WORK. ALARM ALSO BEING EFFECTED. KNOWN PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER, BMW. SAFTEY CONCERN IF UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY . *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2012
I'M THE OWNER OF A 2006 SERIES 3 BMW. . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUED CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 FOR THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT DEFECT. "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". A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION IS DISPLAYED ON MY VEHICLE DASHBOARD. TODAY BMW AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS PART AT NOT COST. ACCORDING TO BMW ONLY A SELECTED NUMBER OF VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER READING REVIEWS , BLOGS AND PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS IT IS CLEAR THAT BMW IS REFUSING TO SERVICE MY CAR OR ANY OTHER OF A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD WITH FATAL CONSEQUENCES. THE COST OF OVER $1,300 SHOULD BE CARRIED BY THE COMPANY AND NOT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION PROBLEMS WAS A PROBLEM AFFECTING MORE THAN THE SELECTED NUMBER OF VEHICLES. BMW SHOULD STOP PROMOTING VEHICLES WITH HIGH SAFETY RATINGS WHEN IS CLEAR THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS USED FOR THIS MATTER DO NOT MEET THE EXPECTED STANDARDS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Feb 9, 2012
A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHENEVER GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR TIRE ROTATION. WHILE TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A LOT OF PLAY IN THE FRONT WHEELS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE BALL JOINT THAT CONNECTS THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS EXTREMELY WORN OUT CAUSING APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES OF PLAY IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE RIGHT WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT IT TOO WAS BECOMING VERY WORN. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY REPLACED BY TECHNICIAN AT OWNERS COST. OWNER CONTACTED BMW ABOUT A RECALL CONCERNING THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON 3 SERIES BMWS, AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Feb 8, 2012
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IS NOT WORKING AND THIS CAUSES THE RED AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON DASH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AS A RESULT. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF A 200,000 VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WON'T FIX IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SUCH A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT THE CONSUMER MUST PAY WELL OVER $500 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THESE AND SAVE LIVES. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Feb 6, 2012
AT FIRST, IT WAS INTERMITTANT, THE PASSANGER SEAT BELT/AIR BAY SIGNAL WOULD DISPLAY EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEN, SIGNAL WAS ON ALL THE TIME. MECHANIC FOUND A BAD PART OC3 MATT. HAD IT NOT BEEN REPLACED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2012
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, IT'D DISPLAY A YELLOW ICON WITH A STEERING WHEEL LOCK. ON THIS DATE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED TO DISENGAGE AND THE ICON WAS RED, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURRED TO MY FRIEND LAST MONTH AS HE HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR AS ME. ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE SOURCES, MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. *KB
Steering, Feb 4, 2012
STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS ON WHICH PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING EVEN AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL AND INSERTING/REMOVING THE KEY FOB IN THE KEY SLOT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND AS WELL AS A SAFETY ISSUE. NUMEROUS PEOPLE FROM BMW FORUMS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM AND BMW WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *KB
Air bags, Feb 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 4/3/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, DUE TO THE OCCUPANCY DETECTOR MAT HAVING A BROKEN CIRCUIT. UPDATED 04/16/12
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 26, 2012
THE AIRBAG WARNING COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS OFF AND THE. BELT TENSION SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Air bags, Jan 26, 2012
I BROUGHT MY 2006 BMW 325I TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE AIR BAG PASSENGER WARNING LIGHT AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE PASSENGER SENSOR MAT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $900 TO FIX IT. I ASKED TO CHECK IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON AIR BAGS FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD YES THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL BUT MY VIN# WAS NOT ON THE LIST. I ASKED WHY AND HE SAID BECAUSE BMW ONLY RECALLED SO MANY OF THE 2006 325I VEHICLES TO FIX. I SAID THIS IS A VEHICLE DEFECT AND BMW ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN ONES? THE ANSWER WAS YES. I DECIDED TO FOLLOW UP WITH BMW USA WHO CONFIRMED A RECALL FOR THE 2006 325I BMW SENSOR MAT AND ONCE AGAIN SAID THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN#. I DID FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSENGER SENSOR MAT WARNING LIGHT AND VEHICLE VIN#S WHO ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU TAKE THIS MATTER INTO CONSIDERATION VERY SERIOUSLY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 23, 2012
MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, IT APPEARED THAT BMW HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT: NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING BMW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DEFECT EXTENDS BEYOND THE VINS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL GIVEN THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 23, 2012
PASSENGER AIRBAG / SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT. THERE WERE MULTIPLE NHTSA RECALLS (PE07-045) AND (EA08-001) BUT MY VIN FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL BECAUSE APPARENTLY I HAVE SPORT SEATS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS SITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. BMWNA STATED THEY WON'T OFFER TO FIX THE ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DEALERS CHARGE $1000+ TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR
Air bags, Jan 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V257000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Jan 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.