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2006 BMW 3 Series electrical complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 32 of 32, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2006 BMW 3 Series electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Nov 16, 2014 · Electrical · 67,560 miles · FL

Car has automatic door locks, uses a fob. Parked the car, locked the doors with the fob. When I tried to unlock the doors with the fob, it only clicks - did not unlock. Used the key to unlock the drivers door, but found that once locked, no doors will unlock, not even manually from inside the car. The only door that will lock or unlock is the driver's door, and then only with the key from the outside. The post that pops up and down to indicate that the door is locked is impossible to pull up, and pulling the inside door handle does nothing. This is obviously very dangerous. At the very least, they should redesign the locks so that they can be opened from inside manually in case of an electrical failure!!!!

Filed Sep 7, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 67,000 miles · MN

Passenger doors would not unlock. All passengers needed to exit through the drivers door. This would be a safety issue if in an accident and passengers could not open door to exit vehicle.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 9,000 miles · NY

I own a 2006 bmw 330xi. I'm having problems with the steering column lock which prevents the car from starting. The problem starts with a yellow warning light that indicates the steering column is locked. The starting problem is constant. We are concerned we may get stranded or as some have reported the steering may lock with little or no warning . From what I can find on the internet it appears bmw is aware of the problem. Comments are bad steering column. The problem started in feb. Of 2012 when the car only had 9000 miles and my extended warranty had just expired. The car now has 11000 miles.the dealer has not been able to help and suggested on several occasions that I contact bmw direct. The problem appears to be common from the comments posted on line by bmw owners of 2006 on. I recently contacted bmw and they suggested I have the dealership perform a diagnostic test.the test result was defective steering column.the fee for this test was $145.91. The estimate they provided to replace the steering column is $1,467.86 plus diagnostic fee of $145.91. Total cost $1,613.77. Your investigation will show the defective steering column is a common problem. As the problem persist the safety concerns become greater. Is a recall coming as this is serious highway safety concern?

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · CA

The doors to the vehicle locked automatically and could not be opened from inside the vehicle. I had to open the driver side window and use the key from the ignition fob to open the driver door from outside. All other doors remained locked and could not be opened from inside or outside. I consider this a safety issue because vehicle occupants could be trapped in the car with no way to exit besides crawling through a window. I believe bmw should issue a safety recall to remedy this defect.

Filed Apr 13, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 78,000 miles · TX

First the driver side door lock actuator would not unlock so I would have to use the key to unlock the driver door. Bought a new actuator and had it replaced. Not even one month later the back seat driver side door lock actuator went out as well. However there is no key hole for the back door and it cannot be opened from the inside. I was told by a bmw dealer that I would have to have the door torn off and replaced with a new door because there was no way to open the door. But wait there's more! Both back window regulators went out as well! Got the back seat passenger side fixed. But can't get the driver side done yet. This all happened within a year.

Filed Feb 22, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 83,000 miles · CA

White smoke coming though AC ducts. When taken to shop they said it was coolant leak in heater core. Replacement would cost me $3000-$4000.

Filed Apr 25, 2013 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 3 series. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the battery cable would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. *tr updated 07/09/13*lj updated 07/11/2013

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Electrical, Locks · 100,000 miles · CA

Yesterday, the doors on my 2006 325i wouldn't unlock with the key fob. I used the actual key to enter the car and the central locking/unlocking button does not unlock the doors. The door to the gas tank is also locked. There is no way to unlock any of the passenger doors which poses a safety hazard. In reading through online forums, this is a common problem that should be addressed by bmw. Thank you.

Filed Sep 30, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 78,540 miles · GA

I went to pick up my daughter from marching band practice on a saturday afternoon. When I pulled into the parking lot at her high school and got out, I went to lock the doors. I heard a strange sound and noticed that the drivers doors were locked, the passengers doors were unlocked. The key fob would not work anymore on any of the doors but would work on the trunk. I got in the front passenger door and crawled over to the driver side and tried the door and it would not open from the inside. The central lock button also would not work. I crawled out and tried the drivers side door with the key. It did unlock with the key. None of the other doors would respond from the inside. After I got the drivers side door to unlock with the key, my key fob would work on the drivers side door only. Because my kids decided to "help mom" by pushing the locks down manually - now all of the doors are locked and won't budge except the drivers side. I effectively can't use the car for anyone except myself because no one can enter - and more importantly exit from the car except for crawling over seats. This is a dangerous situation. There should be someone way to open the doors manually. Judging by the number of complaints - bmw is aware of this issue but chooses not to issue a recall.

Filed Jul 22, 2012 · Body, Electrical · 65,100 miles · OR

Power door locks failed. No way to open passenger door even with internal handle. Passenger trapped and had to crawl over to driver's seat. Would be a catastrophe in an accident.

Filed Jun 1, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 69,000 miles · NY

Door locks malfunctioned and driver became locked in car. Door locks could not be disengaged inside the car with keys, internal buttons, or door handles.

Filed May 11, 2012 · Electrical, Visibility · MA

On may 2nd, during a rain storm, our 2006 bmw 3 series' windshield wipers stopped. We were able to get home safely and immediately called our service center, and made an appointment for the next day. The service center's owner/mechanic informed us, that there were 3 other 06 3 series in for the exact same problem. The invoice reads; work requested- diag wipers inop, work performed- replace jbe cont module(part# 63 21 5 897 528). A call was made to bmw, USA on may 11th and bmw does not have, to date, an open recall on the problem. This is disconcerting, since a small service center in the small town of bridgewater, ma. Had 4(including ours) 06 bmw 3 series in for the same problem, and on the same date.

Filed May 8, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 50,700 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 3 series. While parked, the contact attempted to open the driver?s side door using the electronic key fob but the door would not open. The contact eventually opened the front driver?s side door with the handle and was able to enter the vehicle. The same failure occurred on all other doors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technicians stated that the door actuators on all doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,700. Updated 05/31/12 *bf the doors would not open from the outside or the inside due to the failure of the actuators. A mechanical override failed and the door handles would not work. The key only worked in the driver's door.

Filed Mar 28, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 102,345 miles · CA

Will not start because of steering in lock position. Airbag and seat belt error (red icon) in passenger side.

Filed Feb 13, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · FL

Door actuator has failed to work. Alarm also being effected. Known problem to manufacturer, bmw. Saftey concern if unable to exit vehicle in case of emergency .

Filed Jan 5, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · OR

Steering lock lamp is amber and now red. Says car will not start because steering lock mechanism could engage. Could possibly lock while driving.

Filed Jul 7, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 24,323 miles · NJ · crash · 2 injuries

2006 bmw 330 xi when pressing on the brake the car accelerated with a loud noise, could not steer the car; crashed in trees. 24,323 miles still under new car warranty.

Filed Jul 7, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 24,323 miles · NJ · crash · 2 injuries

2006 bmw 330xi brake failure, acceleration, no steering. Occurred twice; bmw repaired by dealer new brakes, computer; second occurrence car did not stop until hit trees.

Filed Jun 25, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 83,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2008 · Electrical, Locks · 20,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Apr 30, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · 11,070 miles · NC

Twice in 6 weeks I have lost throttle response of the car at 70+ MPH on highways. This is a manual transmission car and I had to shift into neutral to coast to the side of the road both times avoiding catastrophic accidents. The car behaves as if it has run out of gas but there was at least 1/4 of a tank of gas. Bmw replace the fuel pump the first time in late march. It is currently in the bmw shop now. This is an extremely dangerous situation that should be investigated.

Filed Jan 4, 2007 · Electrical · 1,716 miles · CA

Service engine soon light continues to come on after reset and upon initial cold start.

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