2006 BMW 3 Series engine problems

15 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.

owner complaints: 15
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 90,000
crashes: 0
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Engine
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

BMW 3 Series engine problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 BMW 3 Series engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't start 6

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported March 2, 2022 · 917,106 vehicles affected

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

What 2006 BMW 3 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 30, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 132,000 miles · WI

Coolant hoses released and radiator split open -- appeared while driving --- fluid released onto windshield

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 125,000 miles · NC

Oil keep leaking out of training. It was fixed twice so far. Back brake line keeps breaking when you drive in snow.

Filed Sep 26, 2017 · Engine · 125,000 miles · IL

Engine bolts - aluminum bolt heads were found by mechanic in engine compartment. Although mechanic has stated this does not pose safety risk, seems numerous customers with a bmw 3 series 2006 have experienced the aluminum bolt sheering off issue.

Filed Dec 15, 2016 · Airbags, Engine · 51,000 miles · LA

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.

Filed Apr 19, 2015 · Engine · 110,000 miles · OH

Front two valve cover bolts sheered off causing oil to leak directly on the exhaust.

Filed Dec 28, 2014 · Engine · NJ

I hit a bump in the road, complements of moonachie, new jersey route 120, new jersey has the worst roads in the country and one of the highest taxes too. I had an auto parts place that sold me 2-struts-2 shocks, which the roads ripped apart on my car tell me, he'd be out of business if it wasn't for new jersey. After I hit the crater in the road I felt a loud rattle bumping sound when I slowed downed and accelerated, the engine never really idled right afterwards. I had a friend look at the car and he told me all four bolts connected to the motor mounts, all of the bolts separated and broke off in the engine, they snapped off completely and broke the motor mounts as well. I hear from reading on this site the bolts were a manufactures reject, faulty bolts. That being said , I wish I could litigate against bmw for using the bolts and the state of new jersey for not properly caring for the roads and leaving hazardous conditions on the roads which I might add be fatal for some unfortunate person. Visit hoboken , new jersey and check out their main street, washington, the roads in newark, new jersey are much better than there.could new jersey's politicians be stealing this money set aside for road repair? Nah, of course not, in new jersey?

Filed Feb 22, 2014 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CA

When starting from idle to running state at a stop light the whole car started shaking. Took the shop and they say it a faulty coil/spark plug. Costs me $600-$1000. Looks like this is a common problem in bmw 325i 2006. They should fix this.

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 Nov 22, 2013 · Engine · 47,032 miles · CA

Broken cylinder head bolts at the front timing cover. Symptom was oil leak at timing cover. Upon inspection, the heads of 4 bolts had sheared off and 3 bolt heads had dropped through the timing chain housing and ended up in the oil pan. *tr first, head bolts should not fail. Second, the sheared bolt heads pass through the timing chain housing and could interfere with the timing chain and cause immediate engine failure.

Filed Nov 4, 2013 · Engine · 79,000 miles · MD

My car started having a massive oil leak at around 79,000 miles. The motor seals started to fail once the car had about 70,000 miles on it. The general consensus is that the motor seals are very common to prematurely fail. The bolts that hold the motor together started to break at around 80,000 miles.

Questions about the 2006 BMW 3 Series engine

Does the 2006 BMW 3 Series have engine problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the engine of the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2006 BMW 3 Series engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 BMW 3 Series engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 22V119000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad engine?

The BMW 3 Series model years with the most engine complaints are 2007 (23 complaints), 2008 (18 complaints) and 2006 (15 complaints).