2006 BMW 3 Series

Above average

Owners filed 202 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
67,000 milesMedian miles at failure

168 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags69
202
Air Bags › Frontal28
101
Electrical System19
112
Latches/Locks/Linkages18
000
Steering17
000
Engine9
000
Tires8
000
Tires › Tread/Belt3
100
Visibility/Wiper2
000
Visibility2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)22V119000
Filed Mar 2, 2022917,106 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan12E029000
Filed Aug 10, 2012585 vehiclesValeo

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal08V384000
Filed Aug 5, 2008200,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm06V400000
Filed Oct 18, 200625 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.

Risk. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2019132,000 milesWI

COOLANT HOSES RELEASED AND RADIATOR SPLIT OPEN -- APPEARED WHILE DRIVING --- FLUID RELEASED ONTO WINDSHIELD

Electrical System
Filed Feb 9, 2019146,000 milesTX

I WAS RECEIVING A IMAGINE ON THE ON BOARD COMPUTER SAYING THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. UPON INSPECTION INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT'S CASING, I SAW THAT ALL OF THE WIRING'S PROTECTION HAD COMPLETELY FELL OFF (PROBABLY DUE TO THE HUMID SOUTHERN CLIMATE OF NORTH TEXAS) LEAVING ALMOST ALL OF THE WIRING ON BOTH SIDES OF MY HEADLIGHTS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) COMPLETELY EXPOSED. THE COPPER WIRING INSIDE IS ALMOST ALL EXPOSED. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO SHORT AND LEAVING ME WITH NO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS A MODEL WITHOUT ANGEL EYES, SO MY DRL DO NOT WORK WHAT SO EVER. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY STOCK, SO THIS IS A FACTORY FAULT. VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS. THANKS BMW FOR THE "FANTASTIC" ENGINEERING! SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 9, 2019213,000 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE GLOVE BOX DEPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 30, 2018PR

FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER / FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE PLASTIC COVER WHERE THE PRESURRED FUEL LINE IS CONNECTED CRACKS CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE DUE TO A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I FOLLOWED THE SMELL AND IT TOOK ME TO THE FUEL TANK ACCESS UNDER THE REAR SEAT ON THE LEFT (DRIVER) SIDE. THAT IS WHERE I NOTICED FUEL ACCUMULATION OUTSIDE THE TANK. THEN I PROCEED TO START THE ENGINE AND CLEARLY NOTICED THE FUEL LEAKING FROM AN SMALL CRACK ON THE FILTER (NOT THE FUEL LINE). I STARTED A RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT AND I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS ISSUE INCLUDING VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ON MANY BMW MODELS. ALSO FOUND THERE IS AN ACTIVE SAFETY RECALL FOR SOME VW MODELS WITH THE SAME SITUATION. THE PARTS FROM BOTH VEHICLE BRANDS ARE PRETTY SIMILAR AND THE PARTS ARE FROM THE SAME SUPPLIER (VDO). I JUST NEED YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN BEFORE VEHICLES START CATCHING FIRE. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER. SORRY FOR NOT HAVING PICTURES, JUST GOOGLE IT AND YOU WILL SEE IT.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 5, 20186,000 milesCA

RECALL 17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING BURNING HOT AIR FROM THE VENT IS IN WITH OR WITHOUT FAN ON (MOTION OR PARKING). IT IS OVERDUE AND NO RESPONSE FROM BMW OF AMERICA, LLC AS I KEPT ON CALLING THE OFFICE MANY TIMES SINCE 12/16/2017 LETTER RECEIVED. 1/19/2018 6/5/2018 8/20/2018 10/12/2018 TO NHTSA 11/5/2018

Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 2018120,000 milesNY

ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THIS IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN IT FAILS THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT CAN NOT FIND ONE.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 30, 2018105,000 milesNJ

DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK, SERIOUS HAZARD IN EMERGENCY SITUATION IF DOORS WON'T UNLOCK. DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK PROBLEM, I'VE HAD TO EXIT THRU WINDOWS. NO MANUAL UNLOCK FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. MECHANISM IS OPERATIONAL, MUST BE COMPUTER PROBLEM. FUSE REPLACED,CKD MANY THREADS WITH SAME ISSUE. WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM / 3 + TIMES HAPPENED TO ME.

Air Bags
Filed May 2, 2018MI

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. WHEN THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM ONE SOURCE MOTORS (10633 NORTHLAND DR NE, ROCKFORD, MI 49341, (616) 951-7068), HE WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). SHARPE BMW (1010 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508, (616) 452-5101) SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG REPAIR HAD BEEN COMPLETED, BUT DID NOT ADDRESS THE REPAIR FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND HAD NOT PROVIDED A TIME FRAME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. SHARPE BMW DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOORMAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY AIR BAG RECALLS TO COVER THE FLOORMAT SENSOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 31, 201884,000 milesNC

COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY FROM 30 TO 70 MPH, ON A CITY STREET, COUNTRY ROAD AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR SECOND HAND IN JULY 2017 TO THE PRESENT JANUARY 2018. WE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR SINCE IT IS QUITE FRIGHTENING TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL POWER AT ALL IN THE CAR AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TRYING TO RESTART IT. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS CHARGED AND WORKING NORMALLY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CONNECTION AND CABLE TO THE TERMINAL CONNECTION AT THE CABIN FUSE BOX WHICH CAN WEAR OUT AND FAIL FOR BMWS STARTING IN 2007 THAT CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEMS. OUR CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WHY IS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ?

Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2018125,000 milesNC

OIL KEEP LEAKING OUT OF TRAINING. IT WAS FIXED TWICE SO FAR. BACK BRAKE LINE KEEPS BREAKING WHEN YOU DRIVE IN SNOW.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 6, 2017CO

TAKATA RECALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IN MY 2006 BMW IS DEFECTIVE MAKING THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS TURNED OFF DURING THE EVENT OF A CRASH WHEN CAR IS ON OR RUNNING AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT TURN ON. MANY OTHER 2006 BMWS LIKE MINE ARE AFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE. A RECALL HAS BEEN DONE FOR BMWS FOR MODELS 2007 AND NEWER BUT NOT FOR THE 2006 MODEL YEAR. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE AND PASSENGERS RIDING IN THIS CAR. I USE THIS CAR AS A DAILY DRIVER WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. PLEASE UPDATE NEW INFO ASAP

Steering
Filed Oct 28, 201748,802 milesMA

STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP LIGHT COME ON AND LOCK UP SOME TIME.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 24, 2017130,000 milesNC

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. RECEIVED WARNING MESSAGE WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN FRONT SEAT. LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF TIME.

Engine
Filed Sep 26, 2017125,000 milesIL

ENGINE BOLTS - ALUMINUM BOLT HEADS WERE FOUND BY MECHANIC IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH MECHANIC HAS STATED THIS DOES NOT POSE SAFETY RISK, SEEMS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WITH A BMW 3 SERIES 2006 HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ALUMINUM BOLT SHEERING OFF ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2017NC

BMW CONTINUES TO DRAG ITS FEET ON FIXING RECALL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW. CALLED DEALER IN CHARLOTTE NC (HENDRICK BMW ON E. INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD) MULTIPLE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY EITHER DO NOT HAVE THE PART OR NEED TO ORDER IT.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 15, 201760,000 milesFL

TAKATA RECALL- MY AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 2X(1X UNDER WARRANTY) 1X I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND NOW A 3RD TIME (OUT OF POCKET) IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME THIS HAS BROKEN.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 14, 2017118,000 milesTX

GETTING A HARD WARNING FOR "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". APPARENTLY THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT GOING BAD. THIS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR FATALITY AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 19, 2017150,000 milesPA

RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION FOR FRONT PASSENGER CODE 93C3. MY VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL BUT THE PARTICULAR MODEL HAS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE CODE IS FOR THE AIRBAG WHICH WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT OR NOT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 2017105,747 milesVA

THE ID LIGHT CAME ON FOR PASSENGER AIR. IT SAID THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF. WE TOOK TO BMW OF ROANOKE TO REPAIR AND STATE INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAT AT A COST OF $ 1,433.87 ON INVOICE NO. BMCS56560. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF WE WERE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WOULD HAVE NOT WORKED AND MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED. I HAVE THE OLD PART AND COULD SEND IT TO YOU. THE BMW ONLY HAS 105,747 MILES AND WAS DELIVERED PER BMW OF ROANOKE 12/24/2009. IT IS NOT NO RECALL BUT MAYBE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

Air Bags
Filed Feb 18, 2017100,335 milesNY

"TAKATA RECALL" - THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS OF 02/13/17. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET.

20 of 202 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
201321000Routine
20127300Routine
20111300Routine
201030310Routine
200953220Routine
200868340Routine
2007115240Routine
2006 — this page202410Above average
200525010Routine
200477030Routine
200373000Routine
200226000Routine
200136100Routine
200088120Routine
19996100Routine
19983400Routine
19975400Routine
19962400Routine
19953400Routine
19941300Routine
19930300Routine
19920300Routine

Compare every 3 Series year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 2, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.