MYRModel Year Report

2006 BMW 325I

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 BMW 325I
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
515
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

50% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 4 complaints 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2006 515 2007: 1 complaint 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 1 complaint
1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1995 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2006 515 2007: 1 complaint 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 1 complaint 2012
1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1988 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1992 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1994 1995: 31 complaints 1995 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2001 2002: 162 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 147 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 515 complaints 2006 515 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012

2006: 515 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19860
19875
19885
19898
19905
19914
199241
199321
199417
199531
19990
20001
2001151
2002162
2003199
2004147
200571
2006515
20071
20081
20090
20100
20111
20121

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

50% · 257 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and front passenger.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. While driving at 65 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and the other vehicle fled the scene.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-18

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH and making a u- turn when a second vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-06

Dt*: the contact stated upon purchase, the seat belt light flashed intermittently, when the seat belt was latched. Then, while traveling 50 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The seat belt did not restrain the driver and no air bags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-06-12

Also filed under Seat belts

Electrical system

17% · 85 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the A/C became inoperable and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact then noticed an abnormal burning wiring odor, and there was smoke coming out of the A/C vents.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-07

The contact's husband owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated moments after her son had started, parked and exited the vehicle, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The under hood caught on fire and the hood failed to open.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-09-12

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

My car was parked for a brief time and then, just before I was about to start my car, I noticed smoke coming from the glove box and when I blew on it, a fireball came out and the whole car went up in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-13

Engine

10% · 50 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Our vehicle is exactly the same as the 2007 model with the same inline six engine. The car caught fire while parked overnight in our garage due to electrical connections which remains active even though the car is not running.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-13

Latches/locks/linkages

9% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Seat belts

8% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing warning light/devices and front.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Seat belt failed to prevent me from hitting steering wheel after another car hit mine from the rear while at a stop sign.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-05-03

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2006Complaint volume 515 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2008-01-04Engineering analysisClosed 2008-12-31 BMW airbag light illumination
  3. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  4. R
    2014-08-29Air bags13V564000 BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports…

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2017-09-01Air bags17V428000 BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-06-29Electrical system17V676000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-05-30Engine and engine cooling19V273000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2020-03-11Air bags20V017000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is,...

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2024-08-30Air bags24V513000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2006 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 257 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 85 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 50 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V564000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V428000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V676000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 19V273000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 20V017000 · Air bags
  • Recall 24V513000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 2006 BMW 325I reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 BMW 325I is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 325I?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 325I have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.