NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 3 Series. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER OFFERED $200.00 TOWARDS THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,620.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT COVER AND OCCUPANCY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
THERE IS A RED DASH WARNING LIGHT WITH A STEERING WHEEL AND LOCK. CAR WILL NOT START.
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES THAT HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THIS DEFECT LED TO THE FOLLOWING INDICATIONS IN THE VEHICLE: OVERHEAD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE SYSTEM CHECK WINDOW (DIGITAL DISPLAY BETWEEN TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER) INDICATED A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS FAILURE FOR 2006 3 SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST THAT NHTSA AND BMW NEGOTIATED. BMW HAS DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT 200,000 OTHER BMW?S HAD. THERE IS A PRECEDENT FOR FAILURE WITH THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE COST TO THE CONSUMER TO CORRECT THIS THREAT TO SAFETY IS APPROXIMATELY $1400. NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THIS RECALL LIST TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE COST BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER IN THIS CASE. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS ALREADY. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST THAT NHTSA AND BMW NEGOTIATED. THEREFORE, BMW HAS DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THIS UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT 200,000 OTHER EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLES THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. BMW SHOULD HAVE TO EXPAND THIS RECALL LIST TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AND IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE EVENTS WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY WITH TOYOTA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE "AIR BAG" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ
THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT) HAS FAILED. THIS ISSUE, AS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL BELOW (4.), INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT OF CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES, AND HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA PE07-045 AND EA08-001. IN SHORT, A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAT CAN OCCUR AND WOULD CONSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WITH EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WOULD ILLUMINATE IN SUCH CASE. BMW STATES THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL SINCE IT WAS PRODUCED AFTER 11/2005. YET, THE PROGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS OF THE RECALL. *TR
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON NOTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALLS ON THE 2006 3 SERIES BUT WHEN I CALL TO VERIFY, THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT IS THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND HAS THE SAME SYMPTONS NOTED IN THE RECALL.*CW
AFTER ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THE BRAKE BECAME HARD AND DIDN'T WANT TO DEPRESS UPON STARTING. SINCE YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO START THE CAR, THIS CREATED HARD STARTING PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO COLD WEATHER AND A COLD CAR (WHEN THE CAR HASN'T BEEN OPERATED FOR A WHILE). THE DEALER PERFORMED A REPAIR PER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND IMPLIED THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN IT DIDN'T THEY FIRST CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, THEN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE CAR. INCREDIBLY INSULTING. THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SO BMW DOES KNOW ABOUT IT. SINCE THE BRAKE IS INVOLVED IT IS WORRISOME, EVEN THOUGH AT THE MOMENT IT IS ONLY A STARTING ISSUE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED DURING A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASED TO OPERATE. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHEREIN VISIBILITY WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. NOT ONLY WAS THERE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WATER BLOCKING MY VIEW, BUT THE WIPERS THEMSELVES HAD STOPPED IN A SLIGHTLY VERTICAL POSITION, ALSO BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS SITUATION CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AS WE CAREFULLY AND CAUTIOUSLY ATTEMPTED TO GET OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND AWAY FROM OTHER TRAFFIC. AFTER SITTING AT REST IN THE CAR, ENGINE RUNNING, FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES, THE WIPERS FINALLY CAME BACK ON AGAIN. I HAD TRIED TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE WIPERS BY ACTIVATING THE CONTROL STALK, WITH NO EFFECT. I ALSO TRIED TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, WITH NO EFFECT. I SCHEDULED AN EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT AT THE BMW DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, CONFIRMING THAT THERE HAD BEEN A FAULT IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE FROM THE MOTOR TO THE WIPERS, EVEN THOUGH THE DIAGNOSTIC HAD BEEN INCONCLUSIVE ON THE LINKAGE. *TR
WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SERVICE INDICATOR, NO SEATBELT INDICATOR, AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED" INDICATOR ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. WHEN TAKING MY VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT (HAVE DOCUMENTATION), WHICH IS MEANT TO DETECT WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD IN MY VEHICLES CURRENT STATE, IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PERFORMING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT BMW HAS RELEASED AN OFFICIAL RECALL (#08V384000) WHICH DESCRIBES THESE SAME SYMPTOMS, CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. IN THE RECALL DETAILS, THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND SEAT TYPE ALL MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER DISCOVERING THE RECALL INFORMATION, I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE BY TELEPHONE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THE REPAIR MUST BE DONE AT AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS VIOLATES AIR BAG REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE NHTSA. SINCE THIS IS A DEFECT, THE COST SHOULD BE COVERED 100% BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW. *TR
BMW 325I 2006 SEDAN AIRBAG SENSOR MAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325 I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AS WELL. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT BUT A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH HIS VIN WAS OUT OF RANGE FOR THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE FIXED UNDER THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVISION. UPDATED 01/09/13
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE AND THE ALUMINUM BOLT THAT WAS HOLDING THE CYLINDER HEAD IN PLACE BROKE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CYLINDER HEAD TO CRACK THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CAUSED A MASSIVE OIL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE ALUMINUM BOLT. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 25,774. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE ALMOST $4,000 AND IT TOOK MORE THAN A WEEK TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/12/10 UPDATED 03/30/10 *BF UPDATED 07/26/10.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ILLUMINATED TO INCLUDE A WARNING STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,325.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
BOLTS FOR ENGINE BLOCK VALVE COVER BROKE OFF. OIL STARTED LEAKING AND EXHAUST SMOKING. NORMAL DRIVING, WITH NO AUTO MODIFICATIONS AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA, BUT RECEIVED NO ANSWER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000( AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
2006 BMW 328I REPEATEDLY HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 5 DIFFERENT INSTANCES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TO DATE BMW CLAIMS IN "CANNOT REPLICATE CUSTOMERS PROBLEM". IN ONE INSTANCE VEHICLE ACTUALLY STALLED WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC. APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS IT WAS ADDRESSED IN A CAR AND DRIVER TEST DRIVE ARTICLE. *TR
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IS NOT WORKING AND THIS CAUSES THE RED AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON DASH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AS A RESULT. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF A 200,000 VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WON'T FIX IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SUCH A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT THE CONSUMER MUST PAY WELL OVER $500 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THESE AND SAVE LIVES. *TR
WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION OF A PENDING FAILURE, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS. THE LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH ON THE DASH WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS NOR WOULD THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE. THE ONLY DOOR THAT CAN BE UNLOCKED IS THE DRIVER?S DOOR AND ONLY WHEN USING THE INTEGRATED KEY DIRECTLY WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE DOOR OR USING THE ?DOUBLE JERK? MECHANISM (MECHANICAL OVERRIDE) OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. NONE OF THE PASSENGERS DOORS HAVE THE ?DOUBLE JERK? MECHANISM (MECHANICAL OVERRIDE) AND ANYBODY RIDING AS A PASSENGER WOULD BE STUCK IN THE CAR WITH A MEANS OF EXIT OTHER THAN THE DRIVER?S DOOR OR THE WINDOWS. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS FAILURE, THE GAS COMPARTMENT AND THE ELECTRICAL REARVIEW MIRRORS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO DAMAGED BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES AND THE DOOR ACTUATORS, BUT REFUSED TO COVER THE COSTS FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS TURNED INTO A DEATH TRAP. AN EX-MECHANIC OF THE DEALER HAS SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE HAS SEEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW BEFORE SOME GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE TWO HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT PROBLEM. A BOLT WAS REPLACED FOR THE HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION PROBLEM BUT IT CONTINUED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS TOLD HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED; SHE WAS OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,065. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING A THE SPARE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE STUCK IN MY CAR. THERE WOULD BE NO WAY FOR THE DOORS TO BE OPENED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. ITS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE VEHICLE'S REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING A MANUAL KEY BUT ALL 3 OTHER DOORS REMAINED LOCKED DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY THE REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY DEPRESSING THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. *TR
VEHICLES BRAKES FAIL UPON INITIAL STARTUP ONCE GEAR SELECTOR IS PUT IN DRIVE. *TR
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE - NONE. FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE, EXPECTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN, EXTREMELY LIKELY TO RESULT IN FIRE. TWO ALUMINUM BOLTS SECURING THE VALVE COVER BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL DRIPPING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FILLING CAR WITH SMOKE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ALSO FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CAR IS RECEIVING A NEW VALVE COVER GASKET AND NEW ALUMINUM BOLTS. HAD THIS EVENT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY RESULTED IN A FIRE. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 325 I BMW. AIR BAG LIGHT IN PASSENGER SEAT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. EVEN IF THERE IS AN ADULT SEATING ON THE SEAT. NOW BOTH THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE ON AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON SOME 2006 3 SERIES BMW FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
VEHICLE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR COMES ON REPEATEDLY AND DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPAIR DEFECT AFTER 3 VISITS. *TR
AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT RELEASE WERE SUDDENLY DISABLED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE REAR LOWER BELT RELEASE MODULE (PART # 72116975363) HAD BEEN MADE NON-OPERATIONAL DUE TO A LIQUID SPILL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEAT BELT SYSTEM TO FAIL. THIS ALSO SHORT CIRCUITED THE CABLE (PART #61129130173) BMW STATES THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO " OUTSIDE INFLUENCES". SPILLS INSIDE THE CAR SHOULD NOT DISABLE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR
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
2006 BMW 325I DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. THE FUSES RELATING THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM KEEP BLOWING OUT. THEY SHOULD RECALL FOR ACTUATOR CHANGE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE HEARS A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,000. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ THE VEHICLE HAS RUN-FLAT TIRES. UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,653 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. ON JULY 24, 2009, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL); THEREFORE, SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT. SRS WARNING LIGHT. REPLACE SEAT MAT SENSOR NOT COVERED BY RECALL FOR E90 2006 330I SEDAN WITH SPORTS PACKAGE. *TR
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
I OWN A 2006 BMW 325 (SPRT PCKG). THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED ON THE NHTSA RECALL ID 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE MILEAGE IS APPROX 70,000. BMW SAYS MY VIN DOESN'T QUALIFY, HOWEVER MY CAR STILL OBVIOUSLY HAS A PROBLEM, AND BMW IS IN DENIAL. I'VE ALSO NOTED OTHER COMPLAINTS ON SAFETYCAR.GOV WITH SIMILAR BMW INTERACTIONS. BMW IS AVOIDING RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE NHTSA NEEDS TO DO MORE TO PROTECT OUR SAFETY. *TR
PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WONT WORK AND BMW WONT FIX. ELECTRICAL:RADIO,CLIMATE CONTROL,HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. WINDOW REGULATORS. AND THE WORST:LEARNING FROM X_EMPLOYEES OF BMW SAY THAT BMW PURPOSEFULLY MISS-TORQUES OIL PAN,VALVE COVER AND OIL FILTER HOUSING SO THE FAIL RIGHT AFTER 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. EVERY E90 HAS THESE PROBLEMS. AND WINDOW REGULATORS ALL EXCEPT DRIVER SIDE. IN MOTION.
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND WARNING SIGNALS SOUND EVERY TIME A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, REGARDLESS OF OCCUPANT SIZE. THIS RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING DEACTIVATED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BMW OF FORT MYERS (TWO OCCASIONS IN PERSON IN 2009 AND 2010) AND BMW (VIA THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER EMAIL SYSTEM TWO TIMES IN 2010 AND 2011). NEITHER PARTY IS WILLING TO CHECK THE SYSTEM OR REPAIR IT EVEN THOUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE INDICATES (1) BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE AND (2) BMW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. I NEED NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE IN GETTING BMW TO REVIEW AND FIX THIS ISSUE SIMILARLY TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF OTHER CARS THEY HAVE RECALLED.
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE VEHICLE'S REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING A MANUAL KEY BUT ALL 3 OTHER DOORS REMAINED LOCKED DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY THE REMOTE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY DEPRESSING THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. IF MY SON AND I WERE IN A WRECK AND THE DRIVER SIDE DAMAGED WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
AIR BAG WARNING AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND STAYED ON EACH OCCURRENCE. HAVE TAKEN VECHICLE TO DEALER AND SHOP TO HAVE LIGHT RESET AT LEAST 6 TIMES, ONLY TO HAVE BOTH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN.
I PURCHASED THIS BMW NEW FROM THE DEALER AROUND JUNE 2006 (PLEASE NOTE THE MILEAGE IS AN ESTIMATE) I'M WRITING TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO MY CAR RELATING TO THE A POTENTIAL FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. THE PASSENGER INDICATOR LIGHT FOR "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" IS ACTIVATED DESPITE A PASSENGER BEING IN THE CAR. OVER THE YEARS, THE LIGHT RANDOMLY ACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. HOWEVER, IT WOULD TURN OFF AT TIMES SO I PRESUMED I HAD HIT A BUTTON ON THE CAR STEERING COLUMN FOR A CHILDREN'S SEAT WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE OR SOMETHING ELSE PERHAPS. BECAUSE I RARELY HAD PASSENGERS, I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION. THE LIGHT WOULD DID NOT STAY LIT FOR MONTHS ON END. HOWEVER, NOW THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ACTIVATED ALL THE TIME WHICH CAUSED ME TO INVESTIGATE. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2006 3 SERIES BMW MODELS AND MORE FOR THIS PROBLEM. SPECIFICALLY, MY CAR IS A 2006 330I BMW WITH SPORT SEATS. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALER, AND BMW NORTH AMERICA, BUT THEY ONLY CHECK THE VIN DATABASE AND TO DATE HAVE NOT INVESTIGATED FURTHER. HOWEVER, I HAVE ALERTED THEM THAT IT APPEARS BMW MAY HAVE FAILED TO RECALL A NUMBER OF AFFECTED VEHICLES GIVEN THE MANY COMPLAINTS I REVIEWED POSTED ON THE WEB BY 2006 BMW 330I OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES AIRBAG DEACTIVATING, BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE FROM BMW. ONE OWNER STATED HE HAD (AT HIS OWN EXPENSE) REPLACED THE (DEFECTIVE) INSTALLATION/PART, (THE PART HE REMOVED WAS THE SAME ONE AS THE ONE UNDER RECALL BY BMW), BUT BMW LIKE WITH THE OTHER 2006 330I OWNERS WILL NOT BEAR THE REPLACEMENT COST BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST. PLEASE ASSIST WITH IDENTIFYING THE ADDITIONAL 2006 330I BMWS THAT WERE AFFECTED BY WHAT SEEMINGLY IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN/COMPONENT. THANK YOU, SEE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NO LONGER RECOGNIZED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED WHEN PASSENGERS WERE NOT SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
IT ALL STARTED ON A RANDOM DAY IN FEBRUARY 2009 WHEN THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY CAME UP ON THE DASH OF THE CAR. IN APRIL 2009 I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO ATTEMPT TO GET IT FIXED. THE MECHANIC LISTED THE PROBLEM AS A PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR, OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT, PROGRAMMING TO CONTROL UNITS, DIAGNOSTIC AND LABOR AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ACCORDING TO THE VIN NUMBER. AFTERWARD RECEIVING THE CAR BACK, THE LIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IMMEDIATELY CAME BACK ON. TODAY, I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE REGARDING RECALLS AND UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED IN MANY 2006 BMW 3 SERIES CARS INCLUDING MINE. I JUST RECENTLY CALLED THE TOLL-FREE BMW NUMBER TO CHECK TO SEE IF MY VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST BUT THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT. REASON BEING: ON ANY GIVEN PRODUCTION DAY IN THE FACTORY, THEY MAY MAKE 100 CARS. HOWEVER, 30 OF THE CARS MAY USE A BOX OF PARTS THAT THE OTHER 70 DID NOT USE. THEY ADVISED ME TO GET A SECOND OPINION AT ANOTHER BMW DEALERSHIP AND ATTEMPT TO GET IT FIXED. THEN, IF THE MECHANIC FEELS LIKE IT MAY BE THE SAME ISSUE, THAT I SHOULD CONTACT BMW'S MAIN OFFICE FOR A CASE MANAGER. BASED ON THE RESULTS THAT THE FIRST MECHANIC STATED AS AN ISSUE AND THAT THEY ARE INDEED THE SAME ISSUE, IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS VIN NUMBERS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL LIST THAT BMW DID NOT INCLUDE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SCHEDULED INSPECTION APPOINTMENT. WHILE AT THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE TIRES ON MY BMW 325I NEEDED ROTATING. I AGREED AND I WAS CHARGED $165 FOR THE SERVICE. WHILE DRIVING HOME, I NOTICED A LOUD HUMMING COMING FROM THE TIRES. IT WAS LOUD ENOUGH THAT I MADE A SECOND APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE SPECIALIST, ELY, AT HASSEL BMW OF FREEPORT N.Y., THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. I ASKED HER WHAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND SHE STATED THE TIRES WERE "FEATHERING." I INFORMED HER THAT I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD THAT I COULD NOT HAVE A NORMAL CONVERSATION INSIDE THE CAR. SHE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND IF I WISHED TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR BRAND AND MODEL OF TIRE, WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THE FACT THAT HASSEL BMW OF FREEPORT NY DID NOT BOTHER TO INFORM ME OF THE PROBLEM. THEY KNEW, I FOUND OUT, AND THEY STILL PUT THIS BRAND OF TIRES ON THEIR VEHICLES. I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT,JOHN, AND INFORMED HIM OF MY FINDINGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN SI BULLETINS, WHICH I HAD ALREADY OBTAINED FROM A TIRE SPECIALIST, ABOUT THE IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR OF THIS TYPE OF TIRE. JOHN INFORMED ME THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE WITH HASSEL BMW BECAUSE MY CAR HAD MORE THAN 20000 MILES ON IT. I TOLD JOHN THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 14775 MILES AND THE CAR HAD FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED, AND SINCE THE CAR HAS 28375 MILES ON IT, THE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 15000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND HASSEL BMW SEEMS TO THINK THAT BY QUOTING THE CAR MILEAGE INSTEAD OF THE TIRE MILEAGE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO HONOR THE SI RECOMMENDATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE SI B 36 06 06 I SHOULD BE, AT A MINIMUM, ABLE TO PURCHASE TIRES AT 50% OF THE VALUE. JOHN TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD TAKE THIS UP WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT BUILD THE CAR OR THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. HIS DEMEANOR WAS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. *TR
THE CAR LOCKS FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, ONE TIME LOCKING ME INSIDE MY CAR. THE MANUAL LOCKS ALSO STOP WORKING SO USING A KEY OR OPENING FROM THE INSIDE WITH THE HANDLE IS IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN DECEMBER AND THEY REPLACED THE LOCKING MECHANISMS FOR THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR AND GAS CAP DOOR. IN JANUARY, MY LOCKS FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME FORCING ME TO CRAWL IN AND OUT MY FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO MY CAR. THE DEALER THIS TIME REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK FUSE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE STUCK IN MY CAR. *TR