MYRModel Year Report

2006 BMW 3 Series

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 BMW 3 Series
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 3 Series Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 5 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1999: 6 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 26 complaints 2003: 51 complaints 2003 2004: 77 complaints 2005: 25 complaints 2006: 202 complaints 2006 2007: 115 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 7 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
2006: 202 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19920
19930
19941
19953
19962
19975
19983
19996
200088
200136
200226
200351
200477
200525
2006202
2007115
200868
200953
201030
20111
20127
201321
20230

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 39%

39% of complaints: air bags — 78 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20141222

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW SI (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE CRASH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080813

BMW 330I 2006, PASSENGER AIRBAG INJURED 18YR OLD ON FACE - BURNED, LACERATED FACE AND FX NOSE. LEFT EYE, AFFECTED WITH EXTREME SWELLING. VICTIM TRAUMATIZED AND HAVING BLURRED VISION ON LEFT EYE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080614

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE GLOVE BOX DEPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190209

AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 12%

12% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 24 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP LIGHT COME ON AND LOCK UP SOME TIME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171028

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 202
R 20061121 — suspension

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.

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

Campaign 06V400000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080104 — EA (closed 20081231)

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

R 20081106 — air bags

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 PASSENG

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 T

Campaign 08V384000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120822 — engine and engine cooling

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-20

Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may co

Campaign 12E029000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220722 — engine and engine cooling

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...

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA 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.

Campaign 22V119000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 BMW 3 Series — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (78 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06V400000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V384000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12E029000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V119000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2001 ● 2003

WORST YEARS

◆ 2007 ◆ 2000 ● 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 BMW 3 Series is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 3 Series?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 3 Series have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.