Coolant hoses released and radiator split open -- appeared while driving --- fluid released onto windshield
The worst 2006 BMW 3 Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags101
- Electrical32
- Locks26
- Steering24
- Engine15
- Tires13
- Seat belts12
- Seats12
- Body9
- Visibility8
- Acceleration6
- Transmission4
- Brakes3
- Fuel system3
- Lights2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 BMW 3 Series
Airbag light 39Door locks 25Steering lock-up 12Key fob 7Won't start 6
Recalls 3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.
Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 08V384000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, one of the suspension control arm and swivel bearing connection bolts was not tightened correctly. The bolted connection could loosen.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 06V400000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2006 BMW 3 Series
Defect investigations
Bmw airbag light illumination
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.
EA08001
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 BMW 3 Series 78
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been...
- Bmw: service engine soon light is on
- Bmw: limited warranty has been extended, up to 15 years, on certain vehicles, without mileage limitation...
- Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not...
- Bmw: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system
- Bmw: vehicle does not start: loose ground Z6000 4B
2006 BMW 3 Series fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-17 | 24-25 | 19-20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-17 | 23-26 | 19-20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17-18 | 25-26 | 20 |
What 2006 BMW 3 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving the vehicle the glove box department caught on fire.
I was receiving a imagine on the on board computer saying that my headlights were not working. Upon inspection inside the headlight's casing, I saw that all of the wiring's protection had completely fell off (probably due to the humid southern climate of north texas) leaving almost all of the wiring on both sides of my headlights (driver and passenger side) completely exposed. The copper wiring inside is almost all exposed. Obviously this is causing the headlights to short and leaving me with no visibility while driving at night. This is a model without angel eyes, so my drl do not work what so ever. These headlights are completely stock, so this is a factory fault. Very unhappy with this. Thanks bmw for the "fantastic" engineering! Should be covered under a recall.
Fuel leak coming from the fuel filter / fuel pressure regulator, located inside the fuel tank. The plastic cover where the presurred fuel line is connected cracks causing the fuel to leak. I noticed the issue due to a strong fuel smell comming from the left rear of the vehicle. I followed the smell and it took me to the fuel tank access under the rear seat on the left (driver) side. That is where I noticed fuel accumulation outside the tank. Then I proceed to start the engine and clearly noticed the fuel leaking from an small crack on the filter (not the fuel line). I started a research on the subject and I found several complains about this issue including videos on youtube on many bmw models. Also found there is an active safety recall for some vw models with the same situation. The parts from both vehicle brands are pretty similar and the parts are from the same supplier (vdo). I just need you take a look at this as a safety concern before vehicles start catching fire. Thanks for your attention on this matter. Sorry for not having pictures, just google it and you will see it.
Recall 17v‑676: blower motor wiring burning hot air from the vent is in with or without fan on (motion or parking). It is overdue and no response from bmw of america, llc as I kept on calling the office many times since 12/16/2017 letter received. 1/19/2018 6/5/2018 8/20/2018 10/12/2018 to the federal safety agency 11/5/2018
Electronic steering wheel lock. This is in the steering column when it fails the car will not start. It seems to be a pretty common problem. I was hoping there was a recall for this issue, but can not find one.
Doors will not unlock, serious hazard in emergency situation if doors won't unlock. Doors lock/unlock problem, I've had to exit thru windows. No manual unlock from inside vehicle. Mechanism is operational, must be computer problem. Fuse replaced,ckd many threads with same issue. Www.bimmerfest.com / 3 + times happened to me.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 bmw 3 series. When the contact purchased the vehicle from one source motors (10633 northland dr ne, rockford, mi 49341, (616) 951-7068), he was not informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system). Sharpe bmw (1010 28th st se, grand rapids, mi 49508, (616) 452-5101) scheduled an appointment and indicated that the air bag repair had been completed, but did not address the repair for the electrical system. The manufacturer stated that the part was unavailable and had not provided a time frame to provide the part to the dealer. In addition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated, which was a safety concern. Sharpe bmw diagnosed that the floormat sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer both stated that the vehicle was not included in any air bag recalls to cover the floormat sensor failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Vin tool confirms parts not available for the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000 and parts distribution disconnect for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000.
Complete loss of electrical power while driving, usually from 30 to 70 MPH, on a city street, country road and interstate highway. This has happened multiple times since buying the car second hand in july 2017 to the present january 2018. We will no longer drive the car since it is quite frightening to lose power while driving 70 MPH on the highway in traffic. Also, several times there is no electrical power at all in the car after stopping the car and trying to restart it. The battery has been tested and is charged and working normally. There is a recall for the positive battery connection and cable to the terminal connection at the cabin fuse box which can wear out and fail for bmws starting in 2007 that cause the same problems. Our car has the same problem but why is it not included in the recall ?
Oil keep leaking out of training. It was fixed twice so far. Back brake line keeps breaking when you drive in snow.
Compare the 2006 BMW 3 Series
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Questions about the 2006 BMW 3 Series
Is the 2006 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Owners have filed 202 complaints about the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 5.6 times a typical 3 Series model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2006 BMW 3 Series year score?
The 2006 BMW 3 Series scores 12 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 BMW 3 Series?
Airbags, with 101 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles. Next is electrical (32).
How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 3 Series have?
3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, air bags and suspension.
Was there a recall on the 2006 BMW 3 Series airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V384000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad airbags?
The BMW 3 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (101 complaints), 2007 (35 complaints) and 2003 (21 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 3 Series get?
Official estimates for the 2006 BMW 3 Series range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-17 city and 24-25 highway.
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