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.
Suspension, Jul 18, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 3-SERIES (325XI SPORTS WAGON), WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT, YESTERDAY. I HEARD SOMETHING BREAK AND FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. MY MECHANIC SAID THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SNAPPED. IF I WAS DRIVING FAST I COULD HAVE CRASHED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 15, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO WELL KNOWN BY BMW FAULTY DOOR ACTUATORS. LEFT SIDE GOT LOCKED, WHILE RIGHT SIDE KEPT BEING UNLOCKED. THE WORST PART IS THAT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE LOCKED PASSENGER DOOR, SO WE HAD TO "BELT IT" TO THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR TO EB ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. SHAME ON BMW FOR VERY POOR DESIGN W/O ANY MECHANICAL WAY OF LOCKING/UNLOCKING. VERY UNSAFE IT HAPPENS AT COLLISION. *TR
Air bags, Jul 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT WAS TOLD HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2010, crash
2006 BMW 330 XI WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH A LOUD NOISE, COULD NOT STEER THE CAR; CRASHED IN TREES. 24,323 MILES STILL UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Electric, Jul 7, 2010, crash
2006 BMW 330XI BRAKE FAILURE, ACCELERATION, NO STEERING. OCCURRED TWICE; BMW REPAIRED BY DEALER NEW BRAKES, COMPUTER; SECOND OCCURRENCE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL HIT TREES. *TR
Power train, Visibility, Jul 7, 2010
PROBLEM WITH PASSENGERS SIDE MIRROR NOT RESETTING AND THE CAR JERKS WHEN PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. *TR
Air bags, Jul 6, 2010
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 325I BMW. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD COST $1000 TO BE FIXED. I LATER LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. THE BMW DEALERSHIP STILL WILL NOT FIX MY CAR BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I ASKED IF MY AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF THE CAR IS WRECKED AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME "MAYBE". MAYBE ISN'T THE ANSWER I'M LOOKING FOR BECAUSE I DO HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY. THIS SENSOR SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS BEEN RECALLED BEFORE. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2010
BMW DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY AND AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED. THIS IS ONE WEEK AFTER A SERVICE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. LOCKS WOULD NOT DISENGAGE EXCEPT MANUALLY WITH EMERGENCY KEY (FROM OUTSIDE). DRIVER'S DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL OPEN - OTHERS ARE INOPERABLE. FUEL FILLER CAP WILL ALSO NOT OPEN. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE RESEARCHED BY BMW AND REMEDIED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER - THIS IS DEFINITELY AN INCONVENIENCE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY FATAL. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 19, 2010
FAILURE OF DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS IN 2006 BMW 330I. INSIDE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD NOT FUNCTION, REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT UNLOCK ANY DOORS, KEY WOULD UNLOCK DRIVER FRONT DOOR, GAS DOOR COULD NOT OPEN, NO WAY TO UNLOCK/OPEN PASSENGER FRONT/REAR OR DRIVER REAR DOORS EVEN USING INSIDE HANDLES. CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR AND HAD TO EXIT EITHER THROUGH THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR OR THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE PREVENTING OR DELAYING EGRESS OF PASSENGERS. *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2010
THE CAR DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS USING THE MANUAL KEY FROM OUTSIDE. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE IF THE DRIVER IS LOCKED INSIDE DURING A HAZARD. THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS MANY OF CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. PLEASE REFER TO THIS FORUM. HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=160062. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT AND OCCUPANTS ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE LOCKED DOORS. HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WAS THE ONLY FUNCTIONING DEVICE IN THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS EXITED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE REPAIR COST. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,200.
Electrical system, May 30, 2010, fire
MI NOMBRE ES [XXX]. SOY DE PUERTO RICO Y POSEEO UN BMW 325I 2006. EL MISMO EL DIA DE AYER REPENTINAMENTE COMENZO A SALIR UN HUMO ENTRE EL DASH Y TODA LA PARTE INTERIOR DEL VEHICULO. EN MENOS DE 2 MINUTOS SE ENCENDI EN LLAMAS,ACTIVAMOS AL 911, CUANDO LLEGARON LOS BOMBEROS EN CARRO SE HABIA QUEMADO EN SU TOTALIDAD. ENTRE OTRAS COSAS QUE HIZO MIENTRAS SE ESTABA QUEMANDO. NECESITO QUE ME ORIENTEN AL RESPECTO DE LO QUE DEBO HACER. MI EMAIL ES [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I AM FROM PUERTO RICO AND I OWN A 2006 BMW 325I. THE SAME DAY YESTERDAY SUDDENLY A SMOKE BEGAN BETWEEN THE DASH AND THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES IT LIGHTED IN FLAME, WE ACTIVATED 911, WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED BY CAR IT HAD BURNED IN ITS ENTIRETY. AMONG OTHER THINGS HE DID WHILE HE WAS BURNING. I NEED TO BE GUIDED ON WHAT TO DO. MY EMAIL IS [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, May 25, 2010
IN MY 2006 BMW 325XI, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT, THE SEATBELT RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT, AND THE OVERHEAD PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ARE SOMETIMES ALL ON EVEN IF AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT'S DESCRIBED IN THE PASSENGER MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT BMW SAYS THE RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY IS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER AND PAID A $130 DIAGNOSIS FEE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PASSENGER MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR AN ADDITIONAL $1350. I DECLINED AND MY SERVICE ADVISOR OFFERED ME A $130 DISCOUNT. I DECLINED THAT TOO. BMW SHOULD FIX FOR THIS FOR NO CHARGE BECAUSE A) IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM AS IN THE RECALL/EXTENDED, AND B) IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND IT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES. WHY IS BMW NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT? *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 17, 2010
2006 BMW 325I DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. THE FUSES RELATING THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM KEEP BLOWING OUT. THEY SHOULD RECALL FOR ACTUATOR CHANGE. *TR
Air bags, Apr 23, 2010
BMW 325I 2006 SEDAN AIRBAG SENSOR MAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Service brakes, Air, Apr 14, 2010
AFTER ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THE BRAKE BECAME HARD AND DIDN'T WANT TO DEPRESS UPON STARTING. SINCE YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO START THE CAR, THIS CREATED HARD STARTING PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO COLD WEATHER AND A COLD CAR (WHEN THE CAR HASN'T BEEN OPERATED FOR A WHILE). THE DEALER PERFORMED A REPAIR PER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND IMPLIED THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN IT DIDN'T THEY FIRST CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, THEN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE CAR. INCREDIBLY INSULTING. THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SO BMW DOES KNOW ABOUT IT. SINCE THE BRAKE IS INVOLVED IT IS WORRISOME, EVEN THOUGH AT THE MOMENT IT IS ONLY A STARTING ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Mar 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER OFFERED $200.00 TOWARDS THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,620.
Air bags, Mar 5, 2010
IT ALL STARTED ON A RANDOM DAY IN FEBRUARY 2009 WHEN THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY CAME UP ON THE DASH OF THE CAR. IN APRIL 2009 I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO ATTEMPT TO GET IT FIXED. THE MECHANIC LISTED THE PROBLEM AS A PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR, OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT, PROGRAMMING TO CONTROL UNITS, DIAGNOSTIC AND LABOR AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ACCORDING TO THE VIN NUMBER. AFTERWARD RECEIVING THE CAR BACK, THE LIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IMMEDIATELY CAME BACK ON. TODAY, I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE REGARDING RECALLS AND UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED IN MANY 2006 BMW 3 SERIES CARS INCLUDING MINE. I JUST RECENTLY CALLED THE TOLL-FREE BMW NUMBER TO CHECK TO SEE IF MY VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST BUT THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT. REASON BEING: ON ANY GIVEN PRODUCTION DAY IN THE FACTORY, THEY MAY MAKE 100 CARS. HOWEVER, 30 OF THE CARS MAY USE A BOX OF PARTS THAT THE OTHER 70 DID NOT USE. THEY ADVISED ME TO GET A SECOND OPINION AT ANOTHER BMW DEALERSHIP AND ATTEMPT TO GET IT FIXED. THEN, IF THE MECHANIC FEELS LIKE IT MAY BE THE SAME ISSUE, THAT I SHOULD CONTACT BMW'S MAIN OFFICE FOR A CASE MANAGER. BASED ON THE RESULTS THAT THE FIRST MECHANIC STATED AS AN ISSUE AND THAT THEY ARE INDEED THE SAME ISSUE, IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS VIN NUMBERS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL LIST THAT BMW DID NOT INCLUDE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
2006 BMW 328I REPEATEDLY HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 5 DIFFERENT INSTANCES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TO DATE BMW CLAIMS IN "CANNOT REPLICATE CUSTOMERS PROBLEM". IN ONE INSTANCE VEHICLE ACTUALLY STALLED WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC. APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS IT WAS ADDRESSED IN A CAR AND DRIVER TEST DRIVE ARTICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE AND THE ALUMINUM BOLT THAT WAS HOLDING THE CYLINDER HEAD IN PLACE BROKE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CYLINDER HEAD TO CRACK THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CAUSED A MASSIVE OIL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE ALUMINUM BOLT. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 25,774. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE ALMOST $4,000 AND IT TOOK MORE THAN A WEEK TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/12/10 UPDATED 03/30/10 *BF UPDATED 07/26/10.*JB
Air bags, Feb 15, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES THAT HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THIS DEFECT LED TO THE FOLLOWING INDICATIONS IN THE VEHICLE: OVERHEAD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE SYSTEM CHECK WINDOW (DIGITAL DISPLAY BETWEEN TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER) INDICATED A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS FAILURE FOR 2006 3 SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST THAT NHTSA AND BMW NEGOTIATED. BMW HAS DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT 200,000 OTHER BMW?S HAD. THERE IS A PRECEDENT FOR FAILURE WITH THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE COST TO THE CONSUMER TO CORRECT THIS THREAT TO SAFETY IS APPROXIMATELY $1400. NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THIS RECALL LIST TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE COST BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER IN THIS CASE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 12, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS ALREADY. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST THAT NHTSA AND BMW NEGOTIATED. THEREFORE, BMW HAS DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THIS UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT 200,000 OTHER EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLES THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. BMW SHOULD HAVE TO EXPAND THIS RECALL LIST TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AND IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE EVENTS WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY WITH TOYOTA. *TR
Visibility, Feb 5, 2010
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED DURING A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASED TO OPERATE. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHEREIN VISIBILITY WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. NOT ONLY WAS THERE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WATER BLOCKING MY VIEW, BUT THE WIPERS THEMSELVES HAD STOPPED IN A SLIGHTLY VERTICAL POSITION, ALSO BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS SITUATION CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AS WE CAREFULLY AND CAUTIOUSLY ATTEMPTED TO GET OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND AWAY FROM OTHER TRAFFIC. AFTER SITTING AT REST IN THE CAR, ENGINE RUNNING, FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES, THE WIPERS FINALLY CAME BACK ON AGAIN. I HAD TRIED TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE WIPERS BY ACTIVATING THE CONTROL STALK, WITH NO EFFECT. I ALSO TRIED TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, WITH NO EFFECT. I SCHEDULED AN EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT AT THE BMW DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, CONFIRMING THAT THERE HAD BEEN A FAULT IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE FROM THE MOTOR TO THE WIPERS, EVEN THOUGH THE DIAGNOSTIC HAD BEEN INCONCLUSIVE ON THE LINKAGE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2010
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON NOTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALLS ON THE 2006 3 SERIES BUT WHEN I CALL TO VERIFY, THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT IS THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND HAS THE SAME SYMPTONS NOTED IN THE RECALL.*CW
Air bags, Jan 20, 2010
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