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.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 19, 2011
ALL DOORS CAN NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK,EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR CAN UNLOCK MANUALLY ONLY. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2011
THERE IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURER DEFECT CONCERNING THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE BMW 2006 325I'S. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SINCE DISCOVERING THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. BMWNA HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE ISSUES RELATED TO THESE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM BOLTS. THEY HAVE ALL OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THE BOLTS IN QUESTION WERE DEFECTIVE IN NATURE AND PRODUCTION, AND THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURES. SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS INCLUDED, AND RESULTED IN, VEHICLES LEAKING OIL IN THE ENGINE AREA CAUSING FIRES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS POSE A SERIOUS POTENTIAL RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO SHARE THE ROADWAY WITH THEM. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT THIS TYPE OF PUBLIC SAFETY RISK CANNOT GO ON ANY FURTHER WITHOUT PROPER INTERVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WE EMPLOY AS TAXPAYERS. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE BMW 2006 325I'S AFFECTED BY THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM NOT PRIVY TO WHAT CONSTITUTES A VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS TO REACH A "RECALL STATUS". I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA IS KEENLY AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM BOLTS, AND HAS ISSUED INTERNAL MEMOS TO THEIR STAFF CALLED "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS" (TSB) TO FOREWARN DEALERSHIPS OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AND THE STEPS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. I HAVE REQUESTED THIS INFORMATION FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, AS WELL AS SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS; AND I WAS REFUSED. I HAVE DILIGENTLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE SERVICE MANUALS, AS WELL AS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. MY CONTENTION IS EXTREMELY CLEAR; THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! FIX THEM ALL AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *KB
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 14, 2011
MY PASSENGERS AND I WERE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO MY PARKED CAR, BUT WHEN I USED MY KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS ONLY THE PASSENGER DOORS UNLOCKED WHILE THE DRIVER'S DOOR DIDN'T. I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR BY USING THE LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON LOCATED IN THE CAR. THIS DID NOT WORK, AND IT LOCKED THE PASSENGER DOORS AGAIN. I THEN TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SIMULTANEOUSLY BY TRYING THE KEY FOB AND THE MANUAL LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE OF THE CAR A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT NONE OF THE DOORS UNLOCKED THIS TIME. WE ALL HEARD THE CAR ATTEMPTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, BUT THE LOCKS WERE NOT MOVING. I WASN'T ABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB OR WITH THE DOOR LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR, (THE PASSENGERS WERE ALREADY IN THE CAR) SO I USED THE EMERGENCY CUT-OUT KEY LOCATED INSIDE OF THE KEY FOB TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO GET IN. WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS ON THE SAME NIGHT, I FOUND OUT THAT THE GAS CAP WAS ALSO LOCKED, SO WE LEFT. WHEN WE ARRIVED BACK AT MY RESIDENCE, EVERYONE CLIMBED OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. FINALLY, THIS MORNING AFTER I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY KEY, I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT MEMORY WAS ALSO UNRESPONSIVE. WITH LESS THAN 1/8 OF A TANK LEFT, I WILL HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WILL NOT MAKE IT ON THE GAS LEFT IN THE TANK. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE IF WE WERE TO HAVE GOTTEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR WERE IN SOME UNFORESEEN TROUBLE WHILE IN THE CAR WITH ONLY SECONDS TO REACT AND GET OUT OF THE CAR, IT WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY ENDED UP IN MULTIPLE FATALITIES BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN A HASTY MANNER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOES HAPPEN DURING AND/ OR AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAPPED IN A CAR DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL/ LOCK MALFUNCTION. THANK YOU. *KB
Air bags, Sep 13, 2011
JUST WONDERING WHY THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 ?? PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT IS ON?? LOOKS LIKE THIS WOULD FALL UNDER THIS: 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. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2011, fire
THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING NEAR THE PORT FOR THE IPHONE CHARGER ON THE DASH (LIGHTER.) THE PORTAL WAS COLD TO THE TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT MORE 20 YARDS THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING FINE AND WAS QUICKLY PULLED TO AN EMPTY PART OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER PULLING THE HOOD RELEASE I JUMPED FROM THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR -- I IMMEDIATELY TRIED RE-OPENING IT TO LET THE SMOKE FROM THE COCKPIT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BY TOUCH OR WITH THE KEY FOB. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE LOOKED CLEAN. TO THE FAR RIGHT (MY LEFT) ON PASSENGER SIDE, AGAINST THE FIREWALL SMOKE WAS COMING OUT IN A THIN LINE AND THEN I SAW A SMALL FLASH OF FIRE SO I RAN 20 TO THIRTY YARDS AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I CALLED 911 AND WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER IN APRIL 2011, FOUR MONTHS EARLIER. IT HAD NO HISTORY OF ISSUES AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 5, 2011
MY DSC (STABILITY CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND DRIVING BECAME ERRATIC. AFTER BMW OF THE HUDSON VALLEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT A SENSOR IN THE AXLE HAD CORRODED AND FAILED. THIS NECESSITATED REPLACING TWO REAR AXLES AT A COST OF $1700. THE MECHANIC SAID BWM WANTED THE AXLES BACK SO THAT THEY COULD REFURBISH THEM. OBVIOUSLY THIS MEANS THAT BMW HAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON A REGULAR BASIS AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. MY CAR ONLY HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 2, 2011
THERE IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW MODEL YEARS 2006 AND 2007 3 SERIES MODELS. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND/OR THE FUSES FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. WHEN THEY FAIL YOU ARE ONLY ABLE TO ESCAPE THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS ON THE CAR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND THE FUSES. IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS IT IS SUCH A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE A CAR FULL OF PEOPLE AND HEAVEN FORBID IT CATCHES ON FIRE OR THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS DAMAGED? WE ALL DIE? *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 27, 2011
2006 BMW 325I. AFTER PARKING WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND MY ELDERLY PARENTS IN THE BACK SEATS, ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK. THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. NEITHER WOULD THE REMOTE OR THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. MY WIFE AND ELDERLY PARENTS HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND FROM THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT THE CAR VIA THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. WHAT IF THERE WAS A FIRE? THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH BMW CARS WHERE A 15AMP FUSE WAS INSTALLED FOR THE DOOR MECHANISM. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ( 51 19 07 ) WHICH CALLS FOR REPLACING THE 15AMP FUSE FOR A 20 AMP FUSE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2011
ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, A 2006 BMW 325, E90 CHASSIS, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FOUND DUE TO A FAULTY BOLT IN THE ENGINE BAY WHEREBY MY ENGINE HAD ABOUT 52K MILES PUT ON IT. I SPOKE TO VARIOUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, AND THEY TOO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES AS WELL. IT'S APPARENT THAT BMW HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEGLECTED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TT
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2011
WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE USING THE REMOTE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ONE MANUAL UNLOCK LATCH FOR KEY INSERT INTO THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE REMAINING THREE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED AT ALL, NOT EVEN WHEN OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO THE GAS TANK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM NUMEROUS VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, THERE IS NO WAY TO GET OUT OF THE THREE LOCKED DOORS. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN!!!! FOUND A BLOWN FUSE, AND REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. CHECK THE COMPLAINT LIST, PLEASE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2011
MY BMW 300 SERIES WAGON (2006) HAD A BRAKE AND EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT TURN ON. THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF BURNING OIL. MY MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS BROKEN ALUMINUM BOLTS ON THE CYLINDER. HE SAID HE PERSONALLY SEES THIS ALL THE TIME ON 2006 MODELS, THAT BMW IS AWARE, AND THAT THEY REDESIGNED THE PART FOR LATER YEARS. LIKEWISE, MY BMW DEALER IS AWARE OF IT AND A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH FINDS AT LEAST 1000 COMPLAINTS POSTED AT VARIOUS SITES ON THE WEB. ALUMINUM DOES NOT HOLD UP IN THIS SETTING AND THESE BOLTS COST MORE THAN$1200 TO REPAIR. I AM TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER 60K MILES WHICH MEANS MOST ARE OFF WARRANTY. BMW IS AWARE AND SHOULD EITHER DO A COURTESY REPAIR OR BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY NHTSA. *TR
Steering, Aug 6, 2011
THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRONIC LOCK ON THE 2006 BMW 330I IS DEFECTIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED AND EVEN WITH THE APPROPRIATE KEY, ETC. IT LOCKS IN ERROR. THIS OCCURS ON EVERY ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THEIR IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IN THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2011
2006 BMW 325I PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR FOR AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS FAILED BUT MY MODEL/YEAR IS OUTSIDE THE RECALL RANGE HONORED BY BMWUSA. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2011
I OWN A 2006 BMW 325I. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING A CORNER AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. IT WAS TOWED TO UNITED BMW IN GWINNITT GA WHERE ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT A VALVE SPRING BROKE AND FELL INTO A PISTON CHAMBER. 96000 MILES ON THE CAR AND INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER. ALSO, ONLY 50000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALMOST 9 MONTHS NOW. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 16000 TO FIX AND THEY HAVE THEN SINCE TOWED THE CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE AND DECLARED IT ABANDONED. I TRIED TO CALL AND GET SOME INFORMATION ON THE MATTER BUT NOBODY WILL RETURN MY CALLS OR HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION. I STILL OWE 9000+ ON THE AUTO. *KB
Air bags, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Steering, Aug 2, 2011
I OWN A 2006 BMW 330I. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATES THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED. THEN, WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS RED, THE CAR DOES NOT START. I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM IN 2007 AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2010, THE YELLOW LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY AND IT IS NOW ON EVERY TIME I ENTER THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN YET AGAIN. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE BMW REGIONAL IS REFUSING TO COVER THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE A SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IT COSTS $1428 TO REPLACE THE PART. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT BMW CHANGED THEIR STEERING COLUMNS AFTER 2006 BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. *KB
Tires, Aug 1, 2011
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 330XI WITH 28,000 MILES. IT CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A RUN FLAT TIRES. I HAVE HAD 6 TIRE FAILURES, ONE OF WHICH WAS A BLOWOUT, ALL FROM THE SAME CAUSE ---SIDEWALL BUBBLES/BULGES. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TIRERACK.COM. I HAVE SO LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THESE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES THAT I'VE PURCHASED ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION WITH THE LAST FIVE TIRES AT A COST OF $245. I'VE SPENT A TOTAL OF $1,640.27 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE COVERED BY THE ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION AND BRIDGESTONE AGREED TO REPLACE 2 TIRES AT HALF PRICE. THE HUGE SAFETY CONCERN OF CATASTROPHIC SIDEWALL BLOWOUT IS THE PRIMARY REASON I AM POSTING THIS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *KB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 29, 2011
2006 BMW 330I - COMPLETE FAILURE OF ALL DOOR LOCKING MECHANISMS RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO BOTH REAR DOORS AND PASSENGER FRONT DOOR, FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS OCCURRED FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR, CAUSING NUMEROUS FUSES TO BLOW. THIS HAPPENED FROM NORMAL USE OF THE REMOTE KEY LESS ENTRY SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVED. *TR
Air bags, Jul 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SECOND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED USING THE SAME REMEDY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/05/11
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK IS FAILING AND LOCKING ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE KEY IN THE KEYHOLE. ELECTRONIC LOCK DOESN'T UNLOCK. *KB
Air bags, Jul 18, 2011
FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY SENSOR (OC3 SEAT MAT) HAD PREMATURE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITH PASSENGER. FAILURE RESULTS IN DASH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATION AS WELL DISABLEMENT OF PASSENGER AIR BAG. AIR BAG DISABLEMENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITY, SYSTEM SHOULD FORCE THE AIR BAG ON IF SENSOR FAILS. RELATED RECALL IS IN AFFECT FOR SIMILAR YEAR MODELS BUT BMWNA BELIEVES THIS IS AN UNRELATED BECAUSE THE SEAT TYPES ARE DIFFERENT (SPORT SEAT VS. STANDARD SEAT). BMW (ALONG WITH SUB COMPONENT SUPPLIER) SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM BY EXTENDING COMPENSATION TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAD TO VOLUNTARILY REPLACE FAULTY SENSORS AND RECALLING 2006 330I SPORT SEAT OWNERS AS WELL. SAFETY SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN THE FIRST 40,000 MILES OF AUTOMOBILE'S LIFE. WILL PROVIDE FAILED HARDWARE UPON REQUEST TO BMW OR NHTSA.
Steering, Jul 14, 2011
STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE CAUSING ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO START IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WILL HAPPEN 2-3 TIMES A WEEK AND EVENTUALLY DISABLE COMPLETELY AFTER A FEW MONTHS. HAD TO REPLACE WITH A NEW STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Air bags, Jul 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V3840 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,010. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ UPDATED 09/19/11
Air bags, Jul 14, 2011
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR HAS BEEN CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES - SAME MODEL AND SAME YEAR THAT HAD THIS SAME PART RECALLED (OC3 CONTINENTAL SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR). I THINK THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED ACROSS THE BOARD INSTEAD OF CLAIMING THAT IT ONLY AFFECTS A VERY SPECIFIC NUMBER OF CARS. *TR