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2006 BMW 325XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

88 reports with mileage · 22 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 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

64 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 24, 2017
Air Bags

BOTH OF THE AIR BAGS, DRIVERS AND PASSENGER TURNED OFF AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR. I CHECKED ONLINE AND MY CAR HAS A RECALL FOR THEM.HOWEVER MY SPECIFIC VIN FOR MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI #10991347

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2017
Air Bags

I AM LODGING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW USA. I HAVE BEEN CALLING AND WRITING BMW FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS PLEADING FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY RECALLED AIRBAG. BMW FIRST SENT ME A NOTICE REGARDING MY RECALLED TAKATA AIRBAG 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. BMW HAS STILL NOT REPLACED MY AIRBAG, STATING LACK OR AVAILABLE PARTS AS THE REASON THEY WILL NOT R…

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I AM LODGING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW USA. I HAVE BEEN CALLING AND WRITING BMW FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS PLEADING FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY RECALLED AIRBAG. BMW FIRST SENT ME A NOTICE REGARDING MY RECALLED TAKATA AIRBAG 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. BMW HAS STILL NOT REPLACED MY AIRBAG, STATING LACK OR AVAILABLE PARTS AS THE REASON THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MY AIRBAG. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. THEY HA BE HAD 2 1/2 YEARS TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR, AND STILL REFUSE TO DO SO. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI #10985530

160,000 miles · Mar 30, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 06/07/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ODI #10969504

108,500 miles · Dec 20, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

I HAVE RECEIVED A SENSOR LIGHT STATING THAT I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THEN IT GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE SITS DOWN WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PRESSURE SENSOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL FOR BMW BUT MY VIN APPARENTLY I…

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I HAVE RECEIVED A SENSOR LIGHT STATING THAT I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THEN IT GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE SITS DOWN WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PRESSURE SENSOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL FOR BMW BUT MY VIN APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I AM EXTENDING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT BMW WILL INVESTIGATE AND EXTEND THE RECALL TO MORE MODELS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936555

300,000 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT HAS FAILED. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME MODEL, SEAT TYPE (SPORT) AND MANUFACTURER DATE (2006/02), BMW DOES NOT CONSIDER OUR CAR PART OF THE RECALL. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-564: E90, E91 FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT MODEL E90 (3 SERIES SEDAN) E91 (3 SERIES SPORTS …

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THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT HAS FAILED. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME MODEL, SEAT TYPE (SPORT) AND MANUFACTURER DATE (2006/02), BMW DOES NOT CONSIDER OUR CAR PART OF THE RECALL. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-564: E90, E91 FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT MODEL E90 (3 SERIES SEDAN) E91 (3 SERIES SPORTS WAGON) ONLY VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SPORT SEAT PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2005 TO SEPTEMBER 2006 BMW HAS DECIDED TO AMEND THE 2008 VOLUNTARY RECALL (NHTSA ID: 08V-384) INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT.

NHTSA ODI #10907692

56,000 miles · Apr 15, 2016
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE BMW DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PROVIDE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO THE MAKER OF THE AIRBAG OTHER THAN TELLING ME IT'S NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED TANAKA AIRBAGS. MANY OTHER BMW MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR DEFECTIVE TANAKA AIRBAGS, SO I'M NOT REASSURED BY THEIR RESPONSE . A FRIEND WITH S…

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MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE BMW DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PROVIDE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO THE MAKER OF THE AIRBAG OTHER THAN TELLING ME IT'S NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED TANAKA AIRBAGS. MANY OTHER BMW MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR DEFECTIVE TANAKA AIRBAGS, SO I'M NOT REASSURED BY THEIR RESPONSE . A FRIEND WITH SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF BMW SUFFERED PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE WHEN HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY IN SLOW MOVING COLLISION. I AM AFRAID OF THE SAME CONSEQUENCES. BMW, AS WELL AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS, SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS PROOF THAT A TANAKA, OR SIMILAR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG, WAS NOT USED.

NHTSA ODI #10855632

98,000 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS AND/OR ITS COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I WAS 1 MONTH LATE OVER THE RECALL. AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS TO BMW NORTH AMERICA, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. EVERY TIME A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CAR, THE AIR BAG ERROR CODE GOES ON IN THE DASHBO…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS AND/OR ITS COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I WAS 1 MONTH LATE OVER THE RECALL. AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS TO BMW NORTH AMERICA, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. EVERY TIME A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CAR, THE AIR BAG ERROR CODE GOES ON IN THE DASHBOARD. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT STAYS ON (STATIONARY AND MOVING) AND POSSIBLY COMPROMISING ALL OTHER AIRBAG SYSTEMS. ALSO, THERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS WHERE THE AIR BAG ERROR CODE STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER EXITS THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!

NHTSA ODI #10822608

145,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT HAS FAILED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. CAR HARDLY EVER HAS A PASSENGER YET MAT DETERIORATED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR SAME MODEL YEAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED AND MORE THAN LIKELY SHOULD BE.

NHTSA ODI #10819755

60,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD POSSIBLY NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10714408

95,000 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Air BagsSeats

PASSENGER SEAT PAD SENSOR FAILED AND SAYS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS MODEL, YR AND MODE OF FAILURE, THE DEALER REPORTS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MADE 1 WEEK BEFORE THE RECALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. IS THIS TRUE AND COULD THERE HAVE BEEN AN EXCEPTION FOR 1 WEEK? REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THIS IS A…

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PASSENGER SEAT PAD SENSOR FAILED AND SAYS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS MODEL, YR AND MODE OF FAILURE, THE DEALER REPORTS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MADE 1 WEEK BEFORE THE RECALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. IS THIS TRUE AND COULD THERE HAVE BEEN AN EXCEPTION FOR 1 WEEK? REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THIS IS AN IDENTICAL FAILURE MODE TO RECALLED VEHICLES AND SEAT PAD WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. SEEMS TO BE TOO BIG OF A COINCIDENCE TO NOT ALSO BE RELATED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712954

Official recalls

6

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

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

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:frontal

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

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

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Apr 4, 2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V428000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jul 6, 2017

BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 12, 2013

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.