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2006 BMW X3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 BMW X3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.

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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

110 reports with mileage · 33 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 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports16 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

143 reports
37,000 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Air Bags

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED IN FEBRUARY. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NO LONGER DEPLOY UNTIL THE SENSOR IS REPLACED. COST TO REPLACE IS ABOUT $1,300--MAINLY LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393908

35,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT AND DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT BOTH TURNED ON SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR PRE-OWNED 2006 BMW X3. THIS MEANS THAT OUR PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE BMW DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT. I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON SOME 2006 X…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT AND DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT BOTH TURNED ON SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR PRE-OWNED 2006 BMW X3. THIS MEANS THAT OUR PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE BMW DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT. I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON SOME 2006 X3 SEAT MATS, BUT WAS INFORMED BY BMW THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, YET THE EXACT SAME PART IS FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389880

52,000 miles · Feb 16, 2011
Seats

2006 BMW X3 HEATER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MY COAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383002

40,881 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I STARTED MY 06 BMW X3 IN MY DRIVEWAY TO WARM IT UP PRIOR TO DRIVING. IT APPEARED TO BE FINE, I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED IT WAS SMOKING FROM THE EXHAUST. I DROVE ABOUT 100FT TO THE END OF MY STREET AND THE SMOKING WORSENED SO I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME. I TURNED ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND DROVE AT MOST 20MPH FOR A FE…

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I STARTED MY 06 BMW X3 IN MY DRIVEWAY TO WARM IT UP PRIOR TO DRIVING. IT APPEARED TO BE FINE, I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED IT WAS SMOKING FROM THE EXHAUST. I DROVE ABOUT 100FT TO THE END OF MY STREET AND THE SMOKING WORSENED SO I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME. I TURNED ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND DROVE AT MOST 20MPH FOR A FEW BLOCKS TO GET BACK HOME. THE SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE EXHAUST SO BADLY THAT I COULDN'T SEE OUT MY BACK WINDOW. IT WAS BLUE/GREY COLORED. THE CAR WAS PUTTING AND CHUGGING. I DID NOT MAKE IT HOME. EVENTUALLY THE CAR CHUGGED A FEW TIMES AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE WARNING LIGHTS ALL LIT UP AND I LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. IT WAS STRANDED ACROSS A DRIVEWAY AND WOULD NOT START. I HAVE FOLLOWED ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE, DRIVE LOCALLY AND USE PREMIUM GAS. THERE WAS NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION TO THIS FAILURE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL BMW REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE "OIL SEPARATOR" THAT FAILED. MY INVOICE STATES THAT IT WAS AN "ENGINE HYDRAULIC LOCK". THE FAILURE OF THE "OIL SEPARATOR", WHICH IS CALLED A CYCLONE SEPARATOR ON MY INVOICE, CAUSED THE CAR TO FLOOD WITH OIL. THE CYCLONE SEPARATOR AND CRANKCASE VENT HOSES WERE REPLACED. RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH BMW, MOSTLY THE X5 MODELS. BMW N.A. REFUSED TO ASSIST ME, MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 3 MONTHS PRIOR DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE CAR, BUT HAD NOT MET THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. THE REPAIR COST $1100 AND I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS. I ALSO HAD TO PAY $70 FOR A TOW AS BMW WOULD NOT HONOR THE ROAD ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379172

55,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AS THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AS THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378441

60,000 miles · Jan 13, 2011
SeatsFireInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE HEATER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE HEATER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10376536

48,130 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Electrical SystemSeats

06 BMW X3 3.0 DRIVER SEAT HEATER GETS EXTREMEMY HOT IN ONE SPOT. HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BURN IF NOT TURNED OFF QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376284

93,539 miles · Dec 28, 2010
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,539.

NHTSA ODI #10373137

54,700 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Air Bags

FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001 FOR MY 2006 BMW X3 (54,700 MILES). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369375

46,110 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

WE WERE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AND ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMERS ON THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDES WHEN WE DETECTED AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING AND SMOKING. WE STOPPED AND GOT OUT OF OUR SUV AND DISCOVERED A BURNT HOLE/SPOT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, LOWER LEFT SEAT BACK BOLSTER. ON TAKING IT OUR BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR, WE WERE…

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WE WERE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AND ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMERS ON THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDES WHEN WE DETECTED AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING AND SMOKING. WE STOPPED AND GOT OUT OF OUR SUV AND DISCOVERED A BURNT HOLE/SPOT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, LOWER LEFT SEAT BACK BOLSTER. ON TAKING IT OUR BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SEAT WARMER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE BURNT HOLE/SPOT ON THE SEAT BACK, I.E., "FAILED COMPONENT 3". FURTHER WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR SUV WAS TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD COST $2,900. WE HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED SIMILAR MALFUNCTIONS ON BMWS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT WARMERS. FURTHER, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT WARMER SYSTEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT TOO BECAME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS A CLEAR CASE FOR BMW TO ABSORB THE COST OF REPAIR, SINCE THIS SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTION HAS A HISTORY OF OCCURRENCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION REGARDING THIS CASE.WV

NHTSA ODI #10368850

Official recalls

2

17V605000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Sep 28, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. 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 replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. 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.

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

2

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.

PE07045 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination

Opened Sep 4, 2007 · Closed Jan 4, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).

Air Bags:frontal

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).