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, Jul 6, 2011
DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING WITH KEY FOB AND CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM. REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. REPLACED FUSE BUT THIS STILL DID NOT ALLOW DOOR TO OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 29, 2011
3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2006 BMW 325XI FAILED. A FRIEND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ONCE WE STOPPED AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT, THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND HAD TO BE REMOVED VIA THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE TWO REAR DOORS AND ONE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER. THE BUTTONS WOULD NOT WORK TO OPEN THEM AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED BY PULLING THE HANDLE INSIDE. MY 76 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER HAD JUST LEFT THE CAR 20 MINUTES EARLIER AND HAS DIFFICULTY WITH MOBILITY, IT WAS 94 DEGREES TODAY, WHAT WOULD I DO IF SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR IN THIS HEAT? THE PROBLEM IS CONSTANT AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO CONFIRMED THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT S32869 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 48,900. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1,000. UPDATED 08/04/11
Air bags, Jun 14, 2011
I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AS I OWN A 2006 BMW 325XI WITH APPROX 55K MILES AND HAVE A PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. AT THIS TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED ALL THE TIME. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS A RECALL BUT IT IS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED. IF A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IS PERFORMED THERE ARE MANY FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM VERBATIM BUT I AM NOT COVERED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MY PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE WAS A CRASH. THEY WOULD NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD AND WAS ADMITTEDLY A POOR DESIGN. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ON THE HOOK TO FIX SUCH A CRUCIAL FEATURE SUCH AS AIRBAGS OR ANY PART WITH A BAD DESIGN THAT COULD MEAN LIFE OR DEATH. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE TIME ON THIS THAN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO. I TALKED TO MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHY ONE WAS COVERED AND ANOTHER ONE NOT AS THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME SENSOR. I WOULD ASSUME MORE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT MADE BECAUSE OF THE TIME REQUIRED TO DO SO AND MOST PEOPLE JUST TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO THE DEALER AND PAY THE PRICE. ESPECIALLY MOST BMW OWNERS. I HAVE BEEN AROUND AND WORKING ON VEHICLES MY WHOLE LIFE AND VERY SELDOM TAKE A VEHICLE TO A SHOP FOR REPAIR. I RESEARCH EVERYTHING I DO AND MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ME THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT SHOULD NOT COST ME ANY MONEY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2011
THE CYLINDER BOLT BROKE AND BMW IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE BROKEN BOLT UNDER AN ACTIVE WARRANTY. BMW IS AWARE THAT THE CYLINDER BOLD ON THESE MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL AND IS NOW BEING MADE OUT OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL IN NEWER MODELS. I REQUESTED THAT BMW PAY FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE WE ARE AWARE OF IT BEING AND ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO UNDER AN ACTIVE EXTENDED COVERAGE WARRANTY. IT IS A PART THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL FOR MODELS USING THIS PARTICULAR ALUMINUM CYLINDER BOLT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED TO HAVE PAID $4,000+ FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DOES NOT COVER A $4,260.50 REPAIR. PETER PAN BMW HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL BUT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND ASSURANT WHO AUTHORIZES REPAIRS HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE AND DENIED REPAIR.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2011
MY 2006 BMW 525I PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND IS A BAD SENSOR IN THE SEAT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FOR OTHER 2006 BMW'S BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL OF THE OTHER RECALLED ONES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# IS 08V384000. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE ONES RECALLED. *TR
Air bags, Jun 7, 2011
2006 BMW 325I, VIN #[XXX]. BEGINNING IN 2007 THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN OFF, REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. CURRENT RECALL STATES THAT MY MODEL VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED FOR THE RECALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR MAT, BUT IF IT WENT OUT AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR IT WOULD APPEAR THAT IT, TOO, IS DEFECTIVE. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY BMW ABOUT A RECALL SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS BEING DEFECTIVE, BUT IT CLEARLY IS. I'M CERTAIN THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY 2006 BMW 325I OWNER THAT HAS HAD THIS ISSUE, AND THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MODELS, NOT JUST THE SPORT SEAT MODEL. THE INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SEAT BELT IS OFF REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY, REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 31, 2011
2006 BMW 330I STARTED INTERMITTENTLY HAVE DOOR LOCK ISSUES. ONE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK BUT OTHERS WOULD. TODAY (05/31/11) I WAS AT LUNCH WITH MY KIDS AND WE WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE EXCEPT THE RIGHT REAR. I LEANED IN AND TRIED TO UNLOCK THE OTHERS WITH THE HANDLE BUT THEY WOULD NOT. I CLIMBED THROUGH TO THE DRIVERS SEAT AND DROVE HOME. I GOT TO MY HOUSE AND WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE BUTTON ON THE DASH, THE KEY, OR BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. I HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW AND I HAD TO PULL MY KIDS OUT OF THEIR WINDOWS TO GET THEM OUT. NOW THE CAR IS AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT BUT THE CAR IS TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MEANTIME. I AM SCARED SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN AND WE WILL GET TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 31, 2011
DOOR LOCK FAILURE ON 2006 BMW 325I. ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I WENT TO LOCK THE CAR AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THE DOORS LOCKED BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAN OPEN NOW. I CANNOT EVEN OPEN THE OTHER DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON. WE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK AND GET OUR 7 MONTH OLD BABY OUT THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Electrical system, May 25, 2011
1. SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY! THE SPEEDO ON MY 2006 325I WAS OFF BY 10%. AT 80MPH ON THE SPEEDO, ACTUAL SPEED WAS 72. AT 30 ACTUAL WAS 27. I HAVE BEEN PULLED BY A COP TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. 2. PASSENGER RESTRAIN ERROR MESSAGE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
Air bags, May 25, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2006 BMW 330I. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MAT. MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS THAT LED TO THE RECALL, INCLUDING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY SENSOR MAT. BMW WILL NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE CLAIMING THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN DOES NOT HAVE AN OPEN RECALL. *TR
Air bags, May 24, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER ON-OFF LAMP WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT 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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL ). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,400. THE MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE PARTS AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE LABOR. STATUS UPDATE 07/26/11
Air bags, May 23, 2011
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED 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 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,383.
Air bags, May 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT COVER AND OCCUPANCY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Steering, May 16, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, May 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Air bags, May 11, 2011
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE AIR BAG ON-OFF LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER - 08V384 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LABOR BUT WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *TR
Air bags, May 8, 2011
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND WARNING SIGNALS SOUND EVERY TIME A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, REGARDLESS OF OCCUPANT SIZE. THIS RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING DEACTIVATED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BMW OF FORT MYERS (TWO OCCASIONS IN PERSON IN 2009 AND 2010) AND BMW (VIA THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER EMAIL SYSTEM TWO TIMES IN 2010 AND 2011). NEITHER PARTY IS WILLING TO CHECK THE SYSTEM OR REPAIR IT EVEN THOUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE INDICATES (1) BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE AND (2) BMW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. I NEED NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE IN GETTING BMW TO REVIEW AND FIX THIS ISSUE SIMILARLY TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF OTHER CARS THEY HAVE RECALLED.
Air bags, May 6, 2011
THE FRONT PASSENGER-SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR FAILED, RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNING ON, WARNING OF AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ONLY TURNED ON WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT LATER IT REMAINED ON REGARDLESS, MOST OF THE TIME. HAD THE PASSENGER-SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR REPLACED, AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOTE THAT THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS A BMW RECALL, EXCEPT THAT I WAS TOLD BY BMW THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 3, 2011
THE KEY FOB FAILS TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CENTRAL LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH FAILS TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO COME OUT OF THE CAR. *TR THE DOOR LATCH INSIDE THE CAR DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR EITHER. THEY ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE.
Air bags, May 3, 2011
WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SERVICE INDICATOR, NO SEATBELT INDICATOR, AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED" INDICATOR ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. WHEN TAKING MY VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT (HAVE DOCUMENTATION), WHICH IS MEANT TO DETECT WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD IN MY VEHICLES CURRENT STATE, IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PERFORMING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT BMW HAS RELEASED AN OFFICIAL RECALL (#08V384000) WHICH DESCRIBES THESE SAME SYMPTOMS, CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. IN THE RECALL DETAILS, THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND SEAT TYPE ALL MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER DISCOVERING THE RECALL INFORMATION, I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE BY TELEPHONE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THE REPAIR MUST BE DONE AT AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS VIOLATES AIR BAG REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE NHTSA. SINCE THIS IS A DEFECT, THE COST SHOULD BE COVERED 100% BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 1, 2011
ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK WHETHER I USED THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL UNLOCK BUTTON. COULD NOT EVEN OPEN UP DOORS FROM INSIDE. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD KIDS IN MY CAR AND AN EMERGENCY EXISTED THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THEM OUT THE DOOR LET ALONE GETTING MYSELF OUT. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE DOORS WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS AND NOW THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE HAS RESURFACED. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THAT BMW HAS HAD THIS DOOR LOCK FUSE/DOOR ACTUATOR ISSUE FOR A LONG LONG TIME, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS (LIFE THREATENING) AND DESERVES A RECALL. BMW ONLY WANTS TO REPLACE THE 15A FUSE WITH A 20A FUSE FOR A FIX, BUT DOING THIS DOESN'T FIX THE ROOT PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Apr 26, 2011
SRS LIGHTS ACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING. IT DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. PASSENGER SRS LIGHT ACTIVATED DUE TO FAULTY OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR. THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ERROR. *TR
Air bags, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD 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 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/12/11 *BF UPDATED 07/11/11
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2011
I DRIVE A 2006 BMW 325I. PARKED MY CAR AND GOT OUT JUST FINE HOWEVER MY 3 PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THERE DOORS. THE CENTRAL UNLOCKING BUTTON ON THE CAR'S DASH WOULDN'T UNLOCK THE DOORS AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY BUTTON WOULDN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR EITHER. ALL THE PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOWS. AFTER DOING SOME QUICK RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 3 SERIES HOWEVER IT'S A PROBLEM THAT BMW REFUSES TO FIX UNLESS THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HAVING PASSENGERS BECOME UNEXPECTEDLY TRAPPED INSIDE THEIR CAR DUE TO A COMMON DEFECT IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IT'S A PROBLEM BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR