2006 BMW 325Ci

Do not drive

Owners filed 36 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags23
000
Exterior Lighting3
000
Engine2
000
Electrical System2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000
Power Train1
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V318000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 2015419,235 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder07E023000
Filed Mar 29, 200713,128 vehiclesCardone Industries, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2025TX

Internal Adaptive bi-xenon headlight wiring insulation flaking off exposing bare wire, thus causing headlight to fail

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 23, 2024WA

The headlights in my car both went out because of this wiring issue. The wiring insulation inside the headlight is very prone to cracking and subsequently breaking which causes the headlight to not function. I have repaired this issue myself on both headlights for almost every wire going into the igniter. No headlights is a major safety issue at night, and due to the cracking along all of the wiring, it could go out at any time again. I had this issue looked at by the dealership and they tried to sell me new bulbs instead. In the picture you can see the 3 repaired wires already and the 4th needed repair, the black wire, got severed.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)
Filed May 20, 2022142,000 milesMD

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325CI. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, she became aware of smoke coming from under the hood and the odor of something on fire. The vehicle had overheated on several occasions. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with PCV valve heater failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.

Air Bags
Filed May 7, 2020KY

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF LOUISVILLE (2200 BLANKENBAKER PKWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40299, (502) 287-1501) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 25, 2020116,000 milesTX

DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM STARTED FLASHING WHEN CAR HIT BUMPS AND WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. OPENED BULB ACCESS COVER TO CHECK THE BULB AND FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS HARDENED AND FLAKING INSULATION, EXPOSING BARE COPPER WIRE AND ALLOWING IT TO SHORT OUT. REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR A MORE THROUGH INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THE SAME DAMAGE ON THE HIGH BEAM WIRING AND DETERIORATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE LIGHT. SERIOUS SAFETY RISK AS WELL AS FIRE RISK.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 18, 201883,000 milesNY

BMW 325CI 2006 FRONT LEFT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT WIRING DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSE THE WIRING TO CRACK AND FAIL. THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE WIRING FAILS THE DRIVER CANNOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS, USE HIGH BEAMS OR ANY HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS. BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR HELP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE PART IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT IGNITER WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INSIDE A SEALED COMPARTMENT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL BRING UP MULTIPLE OTHER CASES OF FAILURE IN OTHER CARS WITH PICTURES. BMW 335CI 2006 REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORT OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS. A FAULT IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ONLY DISPLAYED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. BMW 325CI A FRONT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. BMW325CI A FRONT SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH PERIODICALLY AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THE WARNING SUGGESTS THERE IS A FAILURE WITH THE SEATBELT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 1, 2018110,000 milesWA

HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION IS DETERIORATING AND FALLING APART. RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 25, 2017SC

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HILTON HEAD BMW (1230 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Suspension
Filed Jun 15, 201783,600 milesNJ

MY DEALER SAID A REAR SPRING IN MY USED BMW IS CRACKED. THE OTHER REAR SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH AN AFTER MARKET SPRING. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT MY TYPE BMW HAS MANY PROBLEMS WITH REAR CRACKED SPRINGS. A MANUFACTURING DEFECT? THE AFTER MARKET SPRING MOST LIKELY REPLACING ANOTHER CRACKED REAR SPRING

Air Bags
Filed Feb 15, 2017NJ

UPON RECEIVING A SAFETY RECALL FOR BOTH AIRBAGS BACK IN NOVEMBER 2016, I HAVE REQUESTED REPEATEDLY TO MY LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF ATLANTIC CITY) TO REMEDY THIS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. AT FIRST I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED ONCE THE PARTS ARRIVED. THEN, AND AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING I CALLED BACK AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. I CALLED THEIR MAIN OFFICE AT THAT POINT AND GOT THE SAME LINE FROM THEM. FINALLY I EMAIL THEM EARLY JANUARY AND MONTH HAS PASSED WITH NO REPLY.... PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO REPLACE MY FAULTY AIRBAGS....THANK YOU...JOHN

Air Bags
Filed Jan 4, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW DATED AUGUST 2016 REGARDING THE RECALL NO. 15V-318 DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE AND 13V-172/14V-42B PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN - 713-289-1200 FOR MONTHS AND THEY INDICATE THEY ARE STILL WAITING ON THE PART. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING AROUND IN AN UNSAFE CAR. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 27, 2016CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED REGARDING THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 18, 2016TX

TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR OR MORE TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE CORRECT ONE. THE CAR IS BASICALLY WORTHLESS BECAUSE NO DEALER OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BUY IT WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TAKATA TO BUY THE VEHICLE FOR MARKET PRICE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 4, 2016CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/15/16.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Sep 16, 2016OR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 15, 2016AR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 9, 2016TX

"TAKATA RECALL"

Air Bags
Filed Jul 4, 2016CA

TAKATA RECALL

Air Bags
Filed Jul 1, 2016OH

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 09/14/16 *BF *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jun 23, 2016FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF UPDATED 08/30/16.*JB

20 of 36 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2006 — this page36300Do not drive
200531330Do not drive
200468320Do not drive
200327610Do not drive
200230310Do not drive
200149660Do not drive
20006310Do not drive

Compare every 325Ci year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

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: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.