2006 BMW 325I
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 40 |
| 1993 | 21 |
| 1994 | 17 |
| 1995 | 31 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 151 |
| 2002 | 162 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 147 |
| 2005 | 70 |
| 2006 | 515 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
41% of complaints: air bags — 209 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20180118
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, 20140106
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, 20060612
16% of complaints: electrical system — 80 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20250107
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, 20240912
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, 20171113
10% of complaints: engine — 50 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20171113
8% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 43 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: steering — 39 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 w
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 repai
Campaign 13V564000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V428000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 17V428000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V676000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V273000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24V513000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (209 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (80 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (50 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V564000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V428000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V428000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V676000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V273000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V513000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 325I have?
7 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.