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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

26 reports
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83,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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 RESEARCH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10340172

69,000 miles · Jun 19, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

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 T…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10339105

56,000 miles · Sep 1, 2009
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT OPEN USING THE REMOTE. BMW IS ASKING TO PAY THEM FOR DIAGNOSIS AND EVENTUAL REPAIR. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE COST SHOULD BE ON BMW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282497

65,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF BUTTON PUSHING THAT RESULTED IN MY BEING LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NOT EVEN THE DOUBLE HANDLE PULL THAT USUALLY RELEASES THE LOCK FROM THE INSIDE WORKED. HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE MANUAL KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO UNLOCK. DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN FUSE. FUSE WAS REPLACED. NOW LOCKS ARE INTER…

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CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF BUTTON PUSHING THAT RESULTED IN MY BEING LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NOT EVEN THE DOUBLE HANDLE PULL THAT USUALLY RELEASES THE LOCK FROM THE INSIDE WORKED. HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE MANUAL KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO UNLOCK. DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN FUSE. FUSE WAS REPLACED. NOW LOCKS ARE INTERMITTENT AGAIN AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WORKING OK. THE CAR HAS HAD THE ACTUATOR REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT APPEARS TO BE BROKEN AGAIN. WILL NOT ELECTRICALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK NOW. THIS SEAMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281623

56,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED ALL FOUR DOORS TO LOCK HIM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE VALET KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED ALL FOUR DOORS TO LOCK HIM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE VALET KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE DOOR LATCHES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10279511

20,000 miles · Aug 2, 2008
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

BMW 325XI DOES NOT PROVIDE A MANUAL DOOR LOCKING OVERRIDE FOR THEIR CARS. THIS LACK OF DESIGN MAKES THEIR CAR A TRAP FOR ALL PASSENGERS WHEN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILS. ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING A CAR ( NEW ) BMW 325XI, THE DOORS AND WINDOW SYSTEM FAILED IN VERY DANGEROUS WAY. WITH MY BABY AND MY WIFE ON THE BACK SIT, WHEN I TRY …

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BMW 325XI DOES NOT PROVIDE A MANUAL DOOR LOCKING OVERRIDE FOR THEIR CARS. THIS LACK OF DESIGN MAKES THEIR CAR A TRAP FOR ALL PASSENGERS WHEN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILS. ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING A CAR ( NEW ) BMW 325XI, THE DOORS AND WINDOW SYSTEM FAILED IN VERY DANGEROUS WAY. WITH MY BABY AND MY WIFE ON THE BACK SIT, WHEN I TRY TO EXIT THE CAR THE DOOR SYSTEM START SHUTTING DOWN, THE DOORS AND WINDOW SYSTEM JUST WOULD NOT OPEN. THE ONLY ONE THAT OPEN WAS THE DRIVER SIDE ONE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIME. ONCE ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO LEAN OUT THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE MANUAL KEY. THE LATEST ONE WAS WITH MY 7 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE CLIMBING OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ONCE I PULLED UP THE DOOR KNOB WITH A PLIER, BUT THE DOOR STILL LOCKED.MY COMPLAINT IS NOT THAT I NEED TO FIX THE CAR, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS CAR DOES NOT PROVIDE A MANUAL OVERRIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR IN CASE THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILS. BASICALLY ALL PASSENGER CAN BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ESCAPE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236745

Official recalls

3

22V119000 · 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

1

EA08001 · 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.