IllustrationPASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS SAME PROBLEM FROM A RECALL (13V56400) FROM BMW TO FIX BUT MY VIN DOES'NT FALL UNDER BMW VIN LIST OF CARS TO FIX. BMW NEEDS TO EXPAND THERE RECALL SEEING ALL THE PROBLEMS I SEE PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS PROBLEM. SAFETY ISSUE.
2006 BMW 3 Series
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 3 Series years
Owner complaints for the 2006 BMW 3 Series are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 3 Series years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
2125–50K
5250–75K
3475–100K
32100–150K
4150K+
168 reports with mileage · 34 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
101 reportsTHE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEN IT WILL GO OFF AND COME BACK ON. IT NEED TO BE FIXED. I CAN SMELL LIKE IT IS BURNT. MY CAR BE IN MOTION AND I SMELL IT EVEN AFTER I STOP. THE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME NOW. I'M AFRAID EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR TO DRIVE IT BUT I GOT TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO SCHOOL. DO YOU FIX IT OR DO I HAVE T…
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THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEN IT WILL GO OFF AND COME BACK ON. IT NEED TO BE FIXED. I CAN SMELL LIKE IT IS BURNT. MY CAR BE IN MOTION AND I SMELL IT EVEN AFTER I STOP. THE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME NOW. I'M AFRAID EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR TO DRIVE IT BUT I GOT TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO SCHOOL. DO YOU FIX IT OR DO I HAVE TO FIX IT. PLEASE HELP !!
"TAKATA RECALL" BMW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR EXPENSES INVOLVED WITH RECALL. VEHICLE IS LOCATED ON ISLAND OF KAUAI, HI 96746. THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER "BMW OF HONOLULU" IS LOCATED ON ISLAND OF OAHU (HONOLULU). THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY COSTS OF SHIPPING VEHICLE TO AND FROM HONOLULU. THEY ARE EVEN REFUSING TO SEND TECH"S TO KAU…
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"TAKATA RECALL" BMW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR EXPENSES INVOLVED WITH RECALL. VEHICLE IS LOCATED ON ISLAND OF KAUAI, HI 96746. THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER "BMW OF HONOLULU" IS LOCATED ON ISLAND OF OAHU (HONOLULU). THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY COSTS OF SHIPPING VEHICLE TO AND FROM HONOLULU. THEY ARE EVEN REFUSING TO SEND TECH"S TO KAUAI TO FACILITATE REPAIRS. NOTE: THEY PREVIOUSLY USE TO SEND THEIR TECH'S TO TAKE CARE OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS WARRANTY ISSUES ETC. BECAUSE OF SOME CORPORATE PROTOCALL.THEY NO LONGER DO IT BECAUSE OF ISSUES OF LIABILITY ETC. HOWEVER, THIS BEING A RECALL IT SEEMS THEY ARE AVOIDING THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. NOTE OF AGE OF VEHICLE, IT MAKES IT MORE IMPERATIVE BECAUSE OF THE DETERIORATION OF EXPLOSIVE USED. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX](THANK YOU) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I STARTED THE CAR AND GOT A 'PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE' MESSAGE. I'VE CHECKED MESSAGE BOARDS FOR BMW AND APPARENTLY THIS IS SOMETHING THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR A FEW YEARS BACK BUT NOW IT SHOWS 'NO RECALL' WHEN I TYPE IN MY VIN. ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE BOARDS, OTHERS WITH THE SAME MESSAGE WERE TOLD INITIALLY BY BMW THAT …
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I STARTED THE CAR AND GOT A 'PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE' MESSAGE. I'VE CHECKED MESSAGE BOARDS FOR BMW AND APPARENTLY THIS IS SOMETHING THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR A FEW YEARS BACK BUT NOW IT SHOWS 'NO RECALL' WHEN I TYPE IN MY VIN. ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE BOARDS, OTHERS WITH THE SAME MESSAGE WERE TOLD INITIALLY BY BMW THAT THIS WASN'T A RECALL BUT WHEN PUSHED WERE TOLD IT WAS AND IT WAS FIXED. I'M WONDERING ABOUT GETTING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE RECALLS FROM YOUR AGENCY BEFORE GOING TO ARGUE WITH THE BMW DEALERSHIP?
HELLO, MY AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. ALTHOUGH MOST CARS MADE BY BMW DURING THIS YEAR HAVE A AIRBAG RECALL, MY CAR IS NOT PART OF IT AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO CONFIRM FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR ARE NOT ACTUALLY FAULTY.
THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHTS CAME ON MY CAR WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WE WENT OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD.
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS NO ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OR CAN FIX IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE SAID THERE WA…
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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS NO ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OR CAN FIX IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL AND HAVE HAD THE SENSOR LOOKED AT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS ATTENTION. *TR
PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING SYSTEM KEEPS COMING ON. IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A BMW DEALER TO HAVE THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT REPLACED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000). THE BMW DEALER IN LONG BEACH SAID IT ISN'T LISTED AS A RECALL ITEM AND THEY WANT $180 JUST TO PERFORM A CHE…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A BMW DEALER TO HAVE THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT REPLACED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000). THE BMW DEALER IN LONG BEACH SAID IT ISN'T LISTED AS A RECALL ITEM AND THEY WANT $180 JUST TO PERFORM A CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON. *TR
Official recalls
322V119000 · 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
08V384000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
06V400000 · Suspension:front:control Arm
Oct 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.